Susan Harwood Training Grant

API 653 (American Petroleum Institute Standard 653) governs the inspection, repair, alteration, and reconstruction of above-ground storage tanks. Subcontractors performing tank work must comply with this standard or risk failed inspections and contract penalties. Many operators require certified API 653 inspectors on-site before authorising any tank maintenance scope.

A legal principle that assigns fault percentages to each party involved in an incident or loss. If a subcontractor is found partially at fault, their compensation can be reduced by their share of blame. Understanding this protects subcontractors from absorbing disproportionate liability on shared job sites.

A 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.

The U.S. federal body that regulates interstate energy infrastructure, including pipelines and transmission lines. Projects requiring FERC approval often have strict compliance timelines that affect subcontractor scheduling and scope. Work on FERC-regulated assets may require additional permitting and documentation.

A government-issued agreement granting a company the right to explore or extract resources on federally managed land. Subcontractors working on these sites must meet stricter regulatory and documentation requirements. Expect additional compliance checks, environmental controls, and reporting obligations on federally leased projects.

When a prime contractor or client demands excessive paperwork and box-ticking that looks rigorous but adds no real safety value. Subcontractors absorb the administrative burden without reduced liability or improved site outcomes. Recognising it helps crews push back on busy-work that pulls focus from genuine hazard control.

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.

OSHA 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.

How 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.