Trench Safety Month

A deliberate, serious breach of safety or regulatory rules that regulators treat as the most severe infraction category. For subcontractors, this triggers maximum fines and potential worksite bans. It typically involves knowingly ignoring standards that put workers at serious risk.

The U.S. federal standard governing road signs, signals, and markings near worksites. Subcontractors performing roadside or right-of-way work must follow MUTCD traffic control plans. Non-compliance can result in stop-work orders, fines, or lost contracts.

A U.S. federal agency that researches workplace hazards and sets exposure limits for chemicals, noise, and physical risks. Subcontractors working on cross-border or U.S.-based projects must align PPE and safety practices with NIOSH standards. Their certified equipment ratings, such as respirator approvals, are often mandatory on client worksites.

Formal approval granted by an oil and gas operator confirming a subcontractor meets their specific safety, training, and insurance standards. Without it, your crews cannot access the operator's sites or perform work. Certification requirements vary by operator and must be renewed regularly.

A clearly marked area on a worksite where only authorised personnel are permitted to enter. Subcontractors must identify and respect these boundaries before mobilising crews or equipment. Violations can result in stop-work orders, fines, or removal from site.

A systematic programme ensuring stationary assets like pressure vessels, piping, and heat exchangers remain safe and fit for service. Subcontractors often deliver FEMI work through inspection, NDT, and repair scopes under an owner's integrity management plan. Expect strict documentation requirements and third-party sign-off before returning equipment to service.

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.