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.
Procedure Drift
Related Terms
I-9 (employment Eligibility Verification Form)
ComplianceA U.S. federal form verifying a worker's identity and legal authorisation to work in the United States. Subcontractors deploying crews on U.S. job sites must complete an I-9 for every hire. Non-compliance can result in fines and removal from approved vendor lists.
Indemnity Provision
ComplianceA contract clause that transfers liability for losses, injuries, or damages between parties. Subcontractors are often required to indemnify the prime contractor or operator against third-party claims. Review these clauses carefully, as they can expose your company to costs beyond your scope of work.
Sanctions Compliance
ComplianceThe process of ensuring your company does not do business with individuals, entities, or countries under government-imposed trade restrictions. Subcontractors must screen clients, vendors, and partners against sanctions lists before signing contracts. Non-compliance can result in heavy fines, contract termination, or criminal liability.
STCKY (Stuff That Can Kill You)
ComplianceInformal field term for high-consequence hazards requiring mandatory controls before work begins. For subcontractors, STCKY items typically appear on permit-to-work forms and site safety plans. Failing to identify and mitigate STCKY hazards can void your contract and expose your company to liability.
OFAC (Office of Foreign Assets Control)
ComplianceA U.S. Treasury agency that enforces sanctions against designated countries, companies, and individuals. Subcontractors must screen clients and vendors against OFAC lists before accepting contracts or payments. Working with a sanctioned party can result in severe fines and contract termination.
ISEA (International Safety Equipment Association)
ComplianceA North American trade body that sets performance standards for personal protective equipment (PPE). Subcontractors should verify that hard hats, high-visibility vests, and eye protection meet ISEA standards. Many operator and general contractor safety plans require ISEA-compliant PPE on site.
Latest Compliance News
EPA Pushes Back Asbestos Rule Deadline, Reopens Comment Period
EPA has reopened public comment on its proposed asbestos risk management rule, delaying publication until June 2027 as it seeks more data on legacy asbestos exposure and disposal.
yesterday ComplianceSurvey: Two-Thirds of Construction Firms Now Have SIF Prevention Programs
A Construction Safety Research Alliance survey finds most construction firms have adopted serious injury and fatality prevention programs, while high-energy control assessment adoption continues to climb.
2 days ago Compliance$3.5M in OSHA Fines Follow Houston Chemical Spill Cleanup That Left Workers Unprotected
Three companies face over $3.5 million in proposed OSHA penalties after federal inspectors found workers were sent into a million-gallon sulfuric acid spill cleanup without adequate training, respirators, or safety measures at a Houston-area facility.
4 days ago ComplianceOhio Gas Explosion Triggered by Contractor Strike Destroys Three Homes, Damages 30 More
A contractor struck a natural gas line in Twinsburg Township, Ohio on June 25, 2026, triggering an explosion that destroyed three homes and damaged more than 30 others. The incident is now under investigation by state regulators, with questions over utility marking accuracy at the center of the probe.
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Compliance GuideOSHA 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.
Compliance GuideHow to Read and Negotiate an Oilfield Master Service Agreement (MSA): A Subcontractor's Guide
Learn which MSA clauses actually matter for oilfield subcontractors: indemnity, insurance, payment terms, and change orders. Know what you're signing.
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