A third party, usually an insurance or bonding company, that guarantees a subcontractor will fulfil their contractual obligations. If the subcontractor defaults, the surety compensates the project owner. Many upstream and construction clients require surety bonds before awarding work.
Surety
Related Terms
Stormwater Drainage
ComplianceSystems that redirect rainwater and runoff away from worksites to prevent flooding and erosion. Subcontractors are often responsible for installing and maintaining these systems to meet environmental permit conditions. Failing to manage stormwater properly can result in stop-work orders and project fines.
811 (call Before You Dig)
ComplianceA free national service requiring subcontractors to notify utility companies before any ground disturbance. Utilities mark underground lines within 48–72 hours, reducing strike risk. Non-compliance can result in serious liability, fines, and project shutdowns.
Alternative Risk Transfer
ComplianceART (Alternative Risk Transfer) covers non-traditional risk financing options outside standard insurance, such as captives or self-insurance pools. Subcontractors use ART programmes to manage liability exposure when conventional coverage is unavailable or too costly. Common in high-hazard field operations where standard insurers may decline coverage.
State Plan Program
ComplianceA U.S. state-run workplace safety programme approved by OSHA to enforce its own regulations instead of federal standards. Standards may differ from federal OSHA rules, so subcontractors must verify local requirements before mobilising. Operating across multiple states means tracking each plan separately.
Caught-In Hazard
ComplianceA workplace danger where a worker's body or clothing becomes trapped, pinched, or pulled into moving machinery, equipment, or materials — common on oilfield and construction sites where subcontractor crews work near rotating equipment, conveyor systems, or heavy moving loads. Subcontractors are responsible for identifying and controlling these hazards through proper guarding, lockout/tagout procedures, and site-specific hazard assessments before work begins.
Methane Emissions Inventory
ComplianceA documented record of all methane releases from equipment and operations on a worksite. Subcontractors may be required to contribute data or maintain their own inventory to meet operator or regulatory reporting obligations. Accurate records help avoid penalties and support contract compliance.
Latest Compliance News
Surety Bonds 101: What Subcontractors Need to Know Before Bidding Public Work
Construction Today breaks down how surety bonds work, the three main bond types, and the federal thresholds that govern public works contracts, with key implications for subcontractors pursuing infrastructure projects.
23 days ago ComplianceMichigan Pushes Back Enforcement of Updated Concrete Construction Rule to Sept. 21
Michigan OSHA will delay enforcement of its amended Construction Standard 25 for concrete construction until Sept. 21, giving contractors extra time to update formwork, shoring, and training procedures.
21 hours ago ComplianceOntario's Final Construction Death Review Names Five Hazards Behind 42 of 44 Fatalities
Daily Commercial News details the final installment of Ontario's Construction Death Review, which found struck-by, crushing, collapse, electrical and elemental hazards behind nearly all of 44 examined deaths, prompting 14 industry recommendations.
21 hours ago ComplianceCSB Update Details Missed Warnings Before Fatal H2S Release at Maine Pulp Mill
A CSB investigation update on the January 2026 hydrogen sulfide release at Woodland Pulp's Baileyville, Maine mill finds no gas detectors, no personnel tracking system, and no building ventilation were in place before two workers died.
yesterdayRelated 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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