A service that identifies and marks the location of underground utilities before excavation begins. Subcontractors are typically required to arrange locates before breaking ground. Failing to do so can result in project delays, fines, or liability for damages.
Utility Locate Service
Related Terms
29 Cfr 1926 Subpart P
ComplianceThe U.S. OSHA excavation and trenching standard that subcontractors must follow on American job sites. It requires protective systems for any trench deeper than five feet. Non-compliance can result in stop-work orders, fines, and contract termination.
Safety Stand-Down
ComplianceA mandatory work stoppage called by a prime contractor or owner to address an immediate safety concern or incident. All field personnel halt operations and gather for a safety review before work resumes. Subcontractors must comply immediately, regardless of schedule or milestone pressures.
Pre-Task Plan
ComplianceA written safety review completed by crew members before starting a job task on site. It identifies hazards, required controls, and who is responsible for each step. Subcontractors are often required to submit these to the prime contractor before work begins.
ASTM (American Society for Testing and Materials)
ComplianceA standards organisation that sets widely recognised specifications for materials, equipment, and testing procedures. Subcontractors must often meet ASTM standards when supplying materials or performing work on oil & gas and construction sites. Non-compliance can result in rejected work, failed inspections, or contract disputes.
CBP (Customs and Border Protection)
ComplianceThe U.S. federal agency that regulates the entry of workers, equipment, and materials across the Canadian-American border, which subcontractors must navigate when mobilising crews or hauling specialised equipment into U.S. job sites. Non-compliance with CBP requirements can result in delays at the border, seized equipment, or crews being turned away, making proper documentation and advance planning critical for cross-border field work.
OFCCP (Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs)
ComplianceA U.S. federal agency enforcing equal employment rules for companies working on federal contracts. Subcontractors on U.S. federal projects must meet hiring and anti-discrimination requirements. Non-compliance can result in contract termination or debarment from future federal work.
Latest Compliance News
Nearly 3 in 4 Power-Line Injuries Hit Non-Electrical Workers, Data Shows
WorkSafeBC data spanning a decade reveals that 74% of power-line injury claims involve workers outside electrical trades, a finding with direct implications for mixed-trade construction sites across North America.
21 hours ago ComplianceOSHA Updates VPP Manual with Seven Core Elements, New Program Tiers Effective June 2026
OSHA's Voluntary Protection Programs Policies and Procedures Manual took effect June 16, 2026, introducing a seven core element framework and new VPP Elite and VPP Emeritus certification levels. VPP-certified contractors and field service companies need to review the changes now.
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Utility contractors are losing time and adding risk because traffic control execution varies crew to crew. Here's why the industry needs to rethink traffic control as an operations discipline, not a paperwork requirement.
yesterday ComplianceBrampton Construction Fatality Puts Excavation Safety Back in the Spotlight
A worker died Monday after falling into a construction hole in Brampton, Ontario, prompting a Ministry of Labour investigation and renewed scrutiny of excavation guarding on job sites.
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