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ComplianceGlossary Term

Pre-Filing Waiver

A written agreement where a subcontractor gives up the right to file a builders' or mechanics' lien before work begins. General contractors or owners often require it as a condition of awarding a contract. Review carefully — signing one limits your legal options if payment disputes arise.

Related Terms

Personal Fall Arrest System

Compliance

A PFAS (Personal Fall Arrest System) is safety equipment that stops a worker from hitting the ground during a fall. It typically includes a full-body harness, lanyard, and anchor point. Subcontractors must ensure PFAS equipment is inspected, certified, and meets provincial and federal regulations before workers go at height.

Procedure Drift

Compliance

The gradual deviation from approved work methods or safety protocols, often through small, unnoticed shortcuts. For subcontractors, it creates serious liability exposure during audits or incident investigations. Clients may withhold payment or terminate contracts if drift is found during site inspections.

Medium-Voltage Gear

Compliance

Electrical switchgear and distribution equipment operating between 1 kV and 35 kV, commonly found on industrial sites and large construction projects. Subcontractors working near or on this equipment typically require specialised high-voltage certifications and site-specific safety training. Improper handling can trigger serious liability and compliance issues for your crew.

Situational Awareness

Compliance

A worker's real-time understanding of hazards, personnel, and conditions on a job site. For subcontractors, it means knowing who is working nearby, what equipment is active, and how conditions are changing. Strong situational awareness reduces incidents and keeps crews aligned with the prime contractor's safety expectations.

Protective System

Compliance

A method used to protect workers from cave-ins during excavation work, including sloping, shoring, or trench boxes. Subcontractors are legally required to implement an adequate protective system before workers enter any trench deeper than 1.2 metres. Failure to comply can result in stop-work orders, fines, or loss of contract.

Pm (preventive Maintenance) Compliance

Compliance

The percentage of scheduled preventive maintenance tasks completed on time. High PM compliance protects subcontractors from liability and supports equipment uptime on client sites. Clients often audit PM records before renewing service contracts.

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