The U.S. federal standard governing excavation and trenching safety on construction sites. Subcontractors must comply with shoring, sloping, and protective system requirements before workers enter any excavation. Non-compliance can result in stop-work orders, fines, and loss of site access.
Osha 1926 Subpart P
Guides on this topic
When a Jobsite Incident Happens: What Field Workers Need to Know Before Signing Anything
What to do after a jobsite injury or incident, what your rights are before signing incident reports, how workers' compensation works, and how to protect yourself on multi-employer worksites.
OSHA Citations on Multi-Employer Worksites: What Subcontractors Need to Know
Learn how OSHA's multi-employer citation policy works, why subcontractors get cited for hazards they didn't create, and how to protect your company on operator-controlled job sites.
Related Terms
Energy Isolation
ComplianceThe process of shutting down and locking out all energy sources — electrical, hydraulic, pneumatic — before maintenance or service work begins. Subcontractors are typically required to follow the site owner's specific isolation procedures and permit system. Non-compliance can result in immediate removal from site and liability exposure.
Fit Testing
ComplianceA mandatory procedure verifying that a respirator forms a proper seal on a worker's face. Subcontractors must ensure all personnel complete fit testing before entering sites with respiratory hazards. Most prime contractors require valid fit test records as part of site access documentation.
FCI (Federal Contract Information)
ComplianceInformation provided by or generated for a federal government contract, but not intended for public release. Subcontractors handling FCI must meet specific cybersecurity and data protection requirements. Non-compliance can result in contract termination or disqualification from future federal work.
RT (Radiographic Testing)
ComplianceA non-destructive inspection method using X-rays or gamma rays to detect internal flaws in welds and pipework. Subcontractors must ensure certified RT technicians and proper radiation safety protocols are in place. Clients often require RT sign-off before authorising pressure testing or commissioning work.
Osha (occupational Safety and Health Administration) Recordable Incident
ComplianceA work-related injury or illness that meets specific criteria requiring formal logging under OSHA regulations, including cases involving days away from work, restricted duties, medical treatment beyond first aid, or loss of consciousness — a metric that directly affects a subcontractor's safety record and can impact their eligibility for future contracts with operators and prime contractors.
Barrier Envelope
ComplianceThe defined set of active safety barriers protecting against a specific hazard at any given time. Subcontractors must verify the envelope is intact before starting work. A degraded envelope requires stop-work action and notification to the prime contractor.
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