A three-party guarantee where a bonding company backs a subcontractor's ability to complete a contract. If the subcontractor defaults, the surety covers losses to the project owner. Many oil and gas operators and general contractors require bonds before awarding field service work.
Surety Bond
Related Terms
Wage and Hour Division
ComplianceThe U.S. Department of Labour branch that enforces federal wage laws, including overtime and minimum wage rules. Subcontractors must ensure field crew pay practices meet WHD standards to avoid audits and penalties. Misclassifying workers as independent contractors is a common trigger for WHD investigations.
Dig-In
ComplianceAn accidental strike on a buried utility, pipeline, or cable during excavation work. For subcontractors, a dig-in can trigger work stoppages, liability claims, and regulatory investigations. Always confirm locate tickets are current before any ground disturbance.
CLA (Combined Licence Application)
ComplianceA single regulatory submission that covers both construction permit and operating licence for a facility, such as a nuclear plant. Subcontractors may face extended pre-qualification and compliance requirements tied to the CLA approval timeline. Work scopes and mobilisation dates are often contingent on CLA milestones.
BLM (Bureau of Land Management)
ComplianceA U.S. federal agency that manages public lands and issues permits for oil, gas, and construction operations on those lands. Subcontractors working on BLM-administered land must comply with specific permit conditions, environmental rules, and access requirements. Non-compliance can result in work stoppages or contract penalties.
PUCO (Public Utilities Commission of Ohio)
ComplianceOhio's regulatory body overseeing utility construction and service work. Subcontractors performing pipeline, electrical, or gas utility projects in Ohio must comply with PUCO-mandated standards. Non-compliance can result in work stoppages or contract penalties.
Fall Prevention Campaign
ComplianceA structured site safety initiative targeting fall hazards across elevated work areas, scaffolding, and ladders. Subcontractors are typically required to participate and document compliance as a condition of their contract. It often involves toolbox talks, harness inspections, and audits by the prime contractor.
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.
1 month agoComplianceWashington Eyes New Certification Rules for Forklifts Lifting Suspended Loads
Washington's L&I is drafting rule changes clarifying when forklift operators need crane-level certification for suspended loads, following a contractor petition over the state's August 2025 crane rule update.
2 days agoComplianceOSHA Fines Maine Pulp Mill $794K After Two Workers Die in Gas Release
ISHN reports OSHA hit Woodland Pulp LLC with nearly $800K in penalties after a hydrogen sulfide gas exposure killed two workers and a separate hydrogen peroxide fire followed weeks later at the Baileyville, Maine mill.
4 days agoComplianceFleetPride Hit With 16 Serious Violations After Confined Space Death
OSHA proposed $264,380 in penalties against FleetPride Inc. after a worker asphyxiated inspecting a tanker trailer, citing missing confined space and respiratory protection programs.
5 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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