Wage and Hour Division

A mandatory procedure verifying that a respirator forms a proper seal on a worker's face. Subcontractors must ensure all personnel complete fit testing before entering sites with respiratory hazards. Most prime contractors require valid fit test records as part of site access documentation.

A formal certification confirming that a vessel, tank, or work area contains no combustible hydrocarbons. Subcontractors typically cannot begin hot work or confined space entry until this status is verified and documented. Operators or third-party inspectors issue the certification, and it must be reconfirmed if conditions change.

A New York State law holding property owners and general contractors strictly liable for gravity-related injuries on elevated worksites. As a subcontractor, you may share liability if you control the work where the injury occurs. Proper scaffold safety protocols and clear contract language are critical to managing your exposure.

A sudden cave-in of trench walls during excavation, posing serious injury or fatality risk to workers below grade. Subcontractors must ensure shoring, sloping, or trench box systems meet provincial OH&S requirements before crew entry. Liability for collapse incidents often falls on the excavating subcontractor, making documented safety compliance critical.

A defined set of steps a subcontractor must complete to meet regulatory, safety, or client requirements before mobilising on a project. This may include certifications, insurance submissions, and safety orientations. Missing steps can delay onboarding or result in disqualification from a contract.

A regulated programme to remove and replace lead water pipes connecting mains to buildings. Subcontractors are often mobilised under municipal contracts to perform excavation, pipe removal, and restoration work. Compliance with environmental and safety regulations is mandatory throughout.

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.