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
Hazard Orientation
ComplianceA mandatory site-specific safety briefing required before subcontractor crews begin work on a new location. It covers site-specific risks, emergency procedures, and restricted zones. Primes or operators typically deliver it, and subcontractors must document attendance for compliance.
Carbon Intensity
ComplianceA measure of greenhouse gas emissions produced per unit of work or energy output. Operators increasingly require subcontractors to report and reduce carbon intensity on job sites. Lower scores can be a competitive advantage when bidding on contracts.
MOC (Management of Change)
ComplianceA formal approval process required before altering scope, personnel, equipment, or procedures on a worksite. Subcontractors must submit MOC requests to the operator before making any unplanned changes. Skipping this step can result in work stoppages, liability exposure, or contract penalties.
Agreed Order
ComplianceA court-approved settlement between parties that resolves a dispute without a full trial. For subcontractors, it often governs payment terms, lien releases, or compliance obligations. Both sides must follow its terms or face legal consequences.
Indigenous Consultation
ComplianceA legal process where project proponents engage with Indigenous communities before work begins on or near their traditional lands. Subcontractors may need to pause or delay fieldwork if consultation requirements have not been met. Failing to respect this process can result in project shutdowns or permit rejections.
CUI (Controlled Unclassified Information)
ComplianceSensitive government or client data that requires protection but is not classified as secret. Subcontractors handling site plans, personnel records, or project specs may be legally required to safeguard CUI. Mishandling it can result in contract termination or regulatory penalties.
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.
3 months agoComplianceOSHA Proposes $648K Against Six Contractors at Monroe, NY Excavation
OSHA cited a general contractor and five subcontractors at the Monroe Commons site for willful and serious excavation violations. The proposed penalties total $648,094.
3 days agoComplianceOSHA Proposes $254,884 Fine After Pennsylvania Trench Collapse
OSHA cited J.D. Wagoner Excavating of Chambersburg, PA, for willful, repeat and serious violations after a 12-foot trench collapse engulfed a worker. Proposed penalties total $254,884.
5 days agoComplianceDump Truck Deaths: Backing, Tip-Overs and Power Line Strikes
Dump trucks appear in more than 1,500 cases in OSHA's fatality database. ISHN details recurring causes and the 29 CFR 1926.601 rules earthwork and haul crews should build into toolbox talks.
6 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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