The process of identifying and marking underground utilities before excavation begins. Subcontractors are often required to confirm locates are valid before breaking ground. Failure to comply can result in strikes, liability, and work stoppages.
Utility Locating
Related Terms
Methane Emissions Rule
ComplianceA federal or provincial regulation requiring oil and gas operators to detect and reduce methane leaks from equipment and facilities. Subcontractors performing work on wellsites, pipelines, or processing equipment may need to meet specific leak detection and repair (LDAR) standards. Non-compliance can result in fines or disqualification from operator contracts.
Osha (occupational Safety and Health Administration) Recordable Incident
ComplianceA work-related injury or illness that meets specific criteria requiring formal logging under OSHA regulations, including cases involving days away from work, restricted duties, medical treatment beyond first aid, or loss of consciousness — a metric that directly affects a subcontractor's safety record and can impact their eligibility for future contracts with operators and prime contractors.
Hazardous Waste Cleanup
ComplianceThe removal, containment, and disposal of regulated substances such as hydrocarbons, solvents, or contaminated soil from a work site. Subcontractors must hold proper certifications and follow provincial and federal regulations. Cleanup scopes are often billed separately and require detailed documentation for liability protection.
Industrial Carbon Tax
ComplianceA federal levy charged to large industrial facilities based on their greenhouse gas emissions. As a subcontractor, your clients may pass these costs down through contract terms or fuel surcharges. Review your agreements closely to understand who bears this liability.
Cold Stress
ComplianceA health hazard caused by prolonged exposure to cold temperatures, wind, or moisture on outdoor worksites. It includes conditions like hypothermia, frostbite, and trench foot. Subcontractors must have cold stress protocols in place to meet occupational health and safety obligations.
Walkaround Inspection
ComplianceA pre-shift visual check of equipment, vehicles, or a worksite to identify hazards, damage, or defects before work begins. Subcontractors are typically required to document findings using a checklist. Incomplete or skipped inspections can create liability exposure and violate site safety requirements.
Latest Compliance News
Utility Locating Terms Trenchless Subs Need to Know Before Breaking Ground
Trenchless Technology breaks down key utility locating concepts, including the critical difference between public and private utilities, that every small-diameter contractor should understand before starting work.
4 months agoComplianceHouse Democrats Press OSHA on Stalled Federal Heat Rule
After the midterms, House Democrats are lining up OSHA oversight over the unfinished federal heat standard and thinner enforcement. A final rule is slated for October 2027, but watchers doubt it lands before 2028.
todayComplianceCPWR Panel: Build a "Sphere of Safety" to Cut Struck-By Injuries
A Nov. 4 CPWR webinar laid out how contractors can control overhead loads, separate pedestrians from equipment and give spotters clear stop-work rules. Here is what site supervisors on equipment-heavy jobs can use.
2 days agoComplianceBuffalo Trace Landslide Fix: 200-Ft Micropiles, 21 Days On Site
A 10-hour mobilization and 21 days of continuous work stabilized an active landslide at Buffalo Trace Distillery in Frankfort, Ky. The design-build team used micropiles, soil nails, shotcrete and an A-wall system, ENR reports.
3 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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