A mandatory work pause requiring crews to verify no buried utilities or underground hazards exist before digging or drilling begins. Subcontractors are typically contractually responsible for completing all locates and documented checks before breaking ground. Failure to comply can void insurance coverage and expose your company to full liability for strikes.
Stop-Before-Strike
Related Terms
Utility Locate
ComplianceA pre-dig service that identifies and marks underground utilities before excavation begins. Subcontractors are typically required to obtain a locate before breaking ground. Failure to do so can result in liability for damages, project shutdowns, or regulatory fines.
Double-Circuit
ComplianceA power line structure carrying two separate electrical circuits on a single tower or pole. Subcontractors working near these lines face doubled hazard exposure and stricter safe work distances. Always confirm circuit count with the utility owner before planning work near overhead lines.
Coastal Development Permit
ComplianceA regulatory authorisation required before construction or field work begins in coastal or tidal zones. Subcontractors must confirm permit approval before mobilising crews or equipment to shoreline sites. Work started without this permit can trigger stop-work orders and significant project delays.
NERC (North American Electric Reliability Corporation)
ComplianceA regulatory body that sets reliability standards for North America's bulk electric grid. Subcontractors working on power infrastructure, substations, or transmission projects must comply with NERC standards. Non-compliance can result in significant fines and disqualification from utility contracts.
Lockout
ComplianceA safety procedure requiring energy sources on equipment to be physically isolated and locked before maintenance work begins. Subcontractors must follow site-specific lockout procedures or risk removal from the worksite. Verify your crew holds valid lockout/tagout certification before mobilising.
Community Benefits Agreement
ComplianceA contract between a project owner and local stakeholders requiring hiring targets for local labour and subcontractors. Field service companies bidding on major projects may need to demonstrate local content compliance to qualify. Non-compliance can result in contract penalties or disqualification.
Latest Compliance News
California Warehouses Risk Fines as Loading Dock Heat Passes Hidden Threshold
ISHN reports that Cal/OSHA's indoor heat standard imposes mandatory engineering controls once temperatures hit 87°F, a threshold loading docks often breach unnoticed even when main warehouse floors stay compliant.
yesterdayComplianceNATA Issues 48 Heat-Safety Benchmarks for Workplace Use
The National Athletic Trainers' Association published 48 evidence-based recommendations for workplace heat illness prevention, offering employers a ready-made acclimatization and monitoring framework, Safety+Health Magazine reports.
yesterdayComplianceCSB Probe Into Fatal Mill Explosion Highlights Gas Detection Failures
The Chemical Safety Board's investigation into a fatal hydrogen sulfide release at a Maine pulp mill points to inadequate gas monitoring systems, underscoring the need for field crews to review detection protocols.
2 days agoComplianceGranite Wins $50M Job to Replace PG&E Dam Spillway After Oroville-Driven Review
Granite Construction has landed a $50 million contract to replace the spillway at PG&E's Tiger Creek Regulator Dam after post-Oroville safety reviews found the existing structure couldn't handle the site's probable maximum flood, Engineering News-Record reports.
2 days agoRelated Guides
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.
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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