What levels of liability and umbrella insurance should my business carry to qualify for commercial contracts and protect our assets?

Most mid-market contractors in Texas carry at least $1M per occurrence / $2M aggregate in General Liability, with an Umbrella policy between $5M–$10M depending on project size and contract terms. EIS Texas tailors limits to your revenue, subcontractor volume, and client requirements.

How do I manage and transfer risk properly when hiring subcontractors?

Require Certificates of Insurance with matching limits, verify additional insured endorsements, and confirm waivers of subrogation. EIS provides certificate tracking and subcontractor compliance tools through our Risk Management Services.

Should I carry Workers’ Compensation in Texas, and what are the pros and cons of opting out?

Texas doesn’t mandate Workers’ Comp, but opting out increases employer liability and can limit project eligibility. Many mid-size contractors carry Workers’ Comp or use an Occupational Accident + Employer’s Liability structure. We help you choose what fits your risk profile and contracts.

How do I insure and protect heavy equipment, tools in transit, and fleet vehicles across multiple job sites?

Use Inland Marine for mobile tools and equipment and Commercial Auto for trucks and service vehicles, with territory and jobsite coverage spelled out to avoid gaps. EIS builds asset schedules and coverage extensions that travel with your crews statewide.

As my company grows and takes on larger projects, how should my coverage evolve?

Larger projects increase liability, auto, and workers’ comp exposure. Many growing contractors add higher Umbrella limits and consider Group Captive Insurance Programs to control premiums and claims long term. Start with a Risk Consultation to map a scalable coverage strategy.

What levels of liability and umbrella insurance should my business carry to qualify for commercial contracts and protect our assets?

Most mid-market contractors in Texas carry at least $1M per occurrence / $2M aggregate in General Liability, with an Umbrella policy between $5M–$10M depending on project size and contract terms. EIS Texas tailors limits to your revenue, subcontractor volume, and client requirements.

How do I manage and transfer risk properly when hiring subcontractors?

Require Certificates of Insurance with matching limits, verify additional insured endorsements, and confirm waivers of subrogation. EIS provides certificate tracking and subcontractor compliance tools through our Risk Management Services.

Should I carry Workers’ Compensation in Texas, and what are the pros and cons of opting out?

Texas doesn’t mandate Workers’ Comp, but opting out increases employer liability and can limit project eligibility. Many mid-size contractors carry Workers’ Comp or use an Occupational Accident + Employer’s Liability structure. We help you choose what fits your risk profile and contracts.

How do I insure and protect heavy equipment, tools in transit, and fleet vehicles across multiple job sites?

Use Inland Marine for mobile tools and equipment and Commercial Auto for trucks and service vehicles, with territory and jobsite coverage spelled out to avoid gaps. EIS builds asset schedules and coverage extensions that travel with your crews statewide.

As my company grows and takes on larger projects, how should my coverage evolve?

Larger projects increase liability, auto, and workers’ comp exposure. Many growing contractors add higher Umbrella limits and consider Group Captive Insurance Programs to control premiums and claims long term. Start with a Risk Consultation to map a scalable coverage strategy.

Texas Asphalt Contractor OSHA & Environmental Compliance Guide

A Practical Guide to Safety, Licensing, and Risk Management Compliance for Texas Businesses

Digital library with glowing data interfaces symbolizing a centralized OSHA and Texas regulatory knowledge hub powered by EIS Texas.

Safer Roads Start With Compliant Operations

Texas asphalt contractors operate in one of the most regulated construction environments in the country. Between OSHA’s silica and heat-stress standards, TxDOT’s work-zone rules, and TCEQ’s environmental requirements, every mile of pavement carries both safety and regulatory responsibility.

At Eastman Insurance Solutions (EIS Texas), we help paving and asphalt contractors implement compliance programs that not only meet regulatory standards — but protect workers, improve operations, and lower insurance costs.

Schedule a Risk Consultation →

Explore Your Industry Compliance Portal

Below are the dedicated compliance resources curated by EIS Texas. Each section outlines federal and state-specific requirements, plus actionable risk management practices for your industry.

1. OSHA Standards for Asphalt Operations

The asphalt industry falls primarily under OSHA Construction Standards (29 CFR 1926), with overlapping requirements from General Industry (29 CFR 1910) for maintenance yards and plants.

Key OSHA Regulations That Apply

29 CFR 1926.1153 – Respirable Crystalline Silica Exposure
29 CFR 1910.1000 – Air Contaminants
29 CFR 1926.601 – Motor Vehicles & Earthmoving Equipment
29 CFR 1926.21 – Safety Training and Education

Resource: OSHA Silica Construction Standard

Top OSHA Violations in Texas Paving Operations

Fall protection and walking surfaces.
Silica dust exposure without written control plans.
Lack of heat-stress prevention policies.
Unprotected moving machinery and energy isolation.
Missing hazard communication (HazCom) programs.

2. Heat Stress & Occupational Exposure

Texas heat is relentless — and asphalt work amplifies it. OSHA enforces heat-related safety through its General Duty Clause, requiring employers to protect workers from recognized hazards.

Heat-Illness Prevention Program Must Include:

Mandatory rest, shade, and hydration intervals.
Supervisor and worker training on early symptoms.
Emergency response procedures for heat illness.
Temperature monitoring at the job site.

Reference: OSHA Heat Illness Prevention

3. TCEQ Environmental Compliance for Asphalt Contractors

Asphalt operations are heavily regulated by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ). Compliance failures can trigger fines, shutdowns, and even EPA intervention.

Core Environmental Requirements

Category	Requirement	Governing Body
Air Emissions	Asphalt plants require a Permit by Rule (PBR 106.146).	TCEQ Air Permitting
Stormwater	SWPPP required for projects disturbing ≥1 acre.	EPA NPDES Construction Stormwater
Fuel & Oil Storage	SPCC Plan required for 1,320+ gallons aggregate storage.	EPA SPCC Rule
Waste Management	Proper asphalt, oil, and solvent disposal.	TCEQ Waste Management Guidelines

Best Practices for Asphalt Environmental Compliance

Label and date all fuel and chemical containers.
Maintain Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS/SDS) onsite.
Document waste disposal receipts.
Inspect tanks and drums for leaks weekly.
Train employees annually on environmental awareness.

4. TxDOT & Roadway Safety Standards

For highway and municipal contractors, TxDOT mandates safety practices in work zones to protect crews and the public.

Work Zone Safety Essentials

Use MUTCD-compliant traffic control plans.
Ensure flagger certification and visibility (ANSI 107).
Maintain buffer zones and crash attenuators.
Provide reflective PPE for all night operations.

Reference: TxDOT Work Zone Safety

5. Plant & Equipment Compliance

OSHA and TCEQ overlap at the plant level. Asphalt mixing operations must maintain:

Written Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) procedures for all energy sources.
Guarding on belts, drums, conveyors, and drive shafts.
Maintenance logs for burners, baghouses, and conveyors.
Annual inspections and dust-control documentation.

6. Asphalt Contractor Compliance Checklist

Job Site

Written silica exposure plan.
Heat-stress program documented.
PPE issued and logged (respirators, hearing, visibility).
Daily equipment pre-trip inspections.
Traffic control plan on file.

Plant & Yard

Lockout/Tagout procedures posted.
Tank, drum, and emissions inspections current.
SPCC and stormwater plans updated annually.

Fleet & Personnel

Driver qualification files complete.
Vehicle maintenance logs up to date.
Employee safety training documented.

7. Integrating Compliance With Risk Management

EIS Texas doesn’t just help you stay compliant — we connect safety, compliance, and insurance strategy.

We help asphalt firms:

Develop OSHA-compliant silica and heat-stress programs.
Align TCEQ and environmental documentation with carrier requirements.
Train teams on fleet safety and claims reduction.
Use data-driven insights to reduce mod factors and improve premiums.

Explore Risk Management Integration →

Service Area – Supporting Texas Paving Professionals

Serving asphalt and paving contractors across:
Dallas–Fort Worth · Houston · Austin · San Antonio · East Texas · Central Texas · Gulf Coast · West Texas

EIS Texas provides local insight into regional DOT, TCEQ, and OSHA compliance expectations for every type of project — public or private.