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 Trade Contractor OSHA & Safety Compliance Resource 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.

Building Safer Texas Job Sites

Texas contractors operate in some of the most dynamic and demanding environments in the country — from urban high-rises in Dallas to refinery work near Houston and heavy infrastructure projects across Central Texas.
At Eastman Insurance Solutions (EIS Texas), we help construction and trade business owners, safety directors, and foremen understand and meet the OSHA, state licensing, and environmental safety requirements that protect their people and profits.

Compliance isn’t paperwork — it’s protection.
It safeguards your crews, your brand, and your financial future.

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 Overview for Texas Contractors

Texas does not have its own state OSHA plan, meaning private employers fall under Federal OSHA jurisdiction (29 CFR 1910 & 1926). These are the standards that govern nearly all construction and trade operations statewide.

Key Federal Standards That Apply to Contractors

29 CFR 1926 Subpart K – Electrical Safety in Construction
29 CFR 1926.501 – Fall Protection Requirements
29 CFR 1910.147 – Control of Hazardous Energy (Lockout/Tagout)
29 CFR 1926.1153 – Respirable Crystalline Silica Exposure
29 CFR 1926.21 – Safety Training and Education

Official Source: OSHA Construction Standards – 29 CFR 1926

2. Texas Licensing & Regulatory Framework

While OSHA governs safety, Texas adds licensing and compliance oversight through multiple agencies:

Trade	Regulating Body	Key Resource
Electricians	Texas Department of Licensing & Regulation (TDLR)	Licensing, CEUs, compliance, and enforcement.
Plumbers	Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners (TSBPE)	Licensing, apprentice tracking, and safety requirements.
HVAC Contractors	TDLR Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Division	Mechanical licensing, refrigerant handling, record-keeping.
Asphalt & Site Work	Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ)	Air quality, emissions, and environmental permitting.
General Construction Safety	Texas Department of Insurance – OSHCON Program	Free onsite safety consultation and training assistance.

3. Key Risk Areas & Compliance Priorities

A. Electrical Work (Electricians, HVAC, Specialty)

Lockout/Tagout during service and repair (29 CFR 1910.333).
Grounding and circuit verification.
PPE: arc-rated gear, gloves, eye protection.
NFPA 70E compliance for electrical safety programs.

B. Fall Protection & Job-Site Safety

Required for any work above 6 feet.
Guardrails, harnesses, lanyards, anchorage systems, and inspection logs.
Scaffold and ladder training must be documented.

C. Silica & Dust Control

Cutting, grinding, or drilling concrete triggers silica compliance (29 CFR 1926.1153).
Written exposure control plan required for all construction sites.
Medical surveillance if employees are exposed over permissible limits.

D. Heat Stress & Environmental Hazards

Texas climate brings extreme heat — employers must provide rest, shade, and hydration under OSHA’s General Duty Clause.
Asphalt, roofing, and paving crews must implement heat-illness prevention programs.

E. Vehicle & Fleet Operations

OSHA + DOT overlap: daily inspections, driver qualification files, maintenance records, and load-securement documentation.
Fleet safety ties directly to Workers Compensation and Commercial Auto loss ratios.

4. Written Safety Program Essentials

Every Texas contractor should maintain a job-specific written safety plan that includes:

OSHA-required policies (LOTO, fall protection, silica, hazard communication).
Daily or weekly toolbox talk logs.
Training matrix by role or job type.
Incident reporting and near-miss documentation.
Emergency and first-aid procedures.
Equipment and PPE inspection logs.

Resource: OSHA Safety and Health Program Management Guidelines

5. Environmental & Site Compliance for Asphalt and Concrete Contractors

Contractors engaged in paving or concrete operations are also subject to TCEQ environmental oversight:

Air Permitting: Hot mix asphalt plants must obtain a permit by rule (PBR).
Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP): Required for sites disturbing over one acre.
Spill Prevention, Control, and Countermeasure (SPCC): Mandated for fuel and oil storage.

References:

6. Practical Texas Contractor Compliance Checklist

Licensing & Documentation

Verify all professional licenses with TDLR or TSBPE.
Maintain proof of insurance (liability, auto, and workers comp).
Post OSHA 300A summary annually.

Job-Site Safety

Conduct and document daily hazard assessments.
Maintain PPE inventory and inspection logs.
Train workers on fall protection, silica, and confined spaces.

Fleet & Equipment

Maintain DOT-compliant vehicle logs and inspection reports.
Provide defensive-driving and mobile equipment training.

Environmental

Implement stormwater and spill-prevention plans if applicable.
Maintain chemical storage and disposal documentation.

7. Integration with EIS Texas Risk Management

Compliance isn’t just regulation — it’s a core pillar of risk management.
EIS Texas works with contractor clients to:

Develop and document OSHA-compliant safety programs.
Analyze loss trends and fleet data to identify cost drivers.
Conduct experience modification (X-Mod) improvement reviews.
Implement safety training aligned with carrier requirements.

The result: fewer claims, improved renewals, and a stronger safety culture across every job site.

Explore Risk Management Integration →

Service Area – Supporting Contractors Across Texas

We proudly assist contractors throughout Texas, including:
Dallas–Fort Worth · Houston · Austin · San Antonio · East Texas · Central Texas · Gulf Coast · West Texas
Each region has unique operational challenges — and EIS Texas understands how to navigate them safely and strategically.