A clear answer can save hours of confusion. Below are the most common questions we hear from contractors and companies navigating safety certification, vendor prequalification, and compliance platforms like ISNetworld®, Avetta®, and Veriforce®.

If you don’t see your question here, call us at (800) 500-6301 for a free consultation.

General Questions About Safety Compliance

What is safety compliance for contractors?

Safety compliance for contractors means meeting the documentation, insurance, and safety program requirements set by hiring clients before being approved to work on their projects or facilities. This typically involves submitting proof of insurance, OSHA records, EMR scores, and written safety programs through third-party platforms like ISNetworld®, Avetta®, or Veriforce®.

What is third-party contractor prequalification?

Third-party prequalification is the process hiring clients use to verify that contractors meet specific health, safety, and regulatory standards before work begins. Instead of managing this process themselves, hiring clients use platforms like ISNetworld®, Avetta®, and Veriforce® to review and score contractor submissions on their behalf. It reduces risk for the hiring client and ensures only qualified vendors are approved for work.

Why do I need to join ISNetworld®, Avetta®, or Veriforce®?

You don’t choose these platforms; your hiring client does. When a company you’re working with (or bidding on work with) requires prequalification, they’ll direct you to their preferred platform. If you want to work with that client, you need to get approved on their platform. Many contractors end up managing accounts on multiple platforms simultaneously.

Is prequalification the same as being OSHA certified?

No. OSHA certification refers to completing specific OSHA training courses (such as OSHA 10 or OSHA 30). Prequalification is a broader process that evaluates your company’s overall safety performance, documentation, insurance coverage, and safety programs. OSHA training records may be required as part of prequalification, but they are just one piece of a larger submission.

What is a safety compliance consultant?

A safety compliance consultant is a specialist who helps contractors prepare, submit, and maintain documentation on prequalification platforms. Rather than spending hours navigating platform requirements yourself, a consultant handles the process for you, from writing safety programs to managing account renewals and responding to deficiencies.

Platform-Specific Questions

What do I need to get certified on ISNetworld®, Avetta®, or Veriforce®?

Each platform has its own requirements, but most require a combination of the following:

• Completed MSQ® (Management System Questionnaire) or HSE questionnaire
• Custom-written safety programs (RAVS® manuals for ISNetworld®, HSE manuals for others)
• OSHA 300 logs for the past three years
• EMR (Experience Modification Rate) letter from your insurance carrier
• Certificate of Insurance (COI) with required coverage and language
• Training records and certifications relevant to your scope of work

We help you prepare, format, and submit everything required by each platform.

What is the difference between ISNetworld®, Avetta®, and Veriforce®?

All three are third-party contractor management platforms, but they differ in how they review documentation and what they prioritize:

• ISNetworld® is one of the most widely used platforms, especially in oil & gas, construction, and manufacturing. It requires detailed documentation upfront and uses a letter grade system (A through F).
• Avetta® is common in construction, telecom, and facilities management. It emphasizes sustainability and workforce data in addition to safety, and its newer version (Avetta One) expands into ESG and cybersecurity metrics.
• Veriforce® is heavily used in the oil & gas and pipeline sectors. It has stricter review processes, and some clients conduct field audits tied to Veriforce® submissions.

What does an “A” grade mean on ISNetworld®, and how do I get one?

An “A” grade is the highest rating on ISNetworld® and signals full compliance to hiring clients. Achieving it requires completing all questionnaire sections accurately, uploading approved safety programs, maintaining current insurance and OSHA records, and keeping incident rates within acceptable ranges. We manage all of these components to get you to an A grade and keep you there.

What is a RAVS® program and why does it matter?

RAVS® stands for Review and Verification Services and is ISNetworld®’s process for reviewing uploaded safety programs. RAVS® reviewers check that your safety programs are complete, specific to your scope of work, and meet ISNetworld®’s standards. Generic or template-based programs are frequently rejected. We write custom RAVS®-compliant safety programs tailored to your industry and operations.

What is Avetta One?

Avetta One is Avetta®’s upgraded platform that goes beyond safety compliance to include sustainability, ESG (environmental, social, and governance) metrics, cybersecurity, financial health, and supplier diversity data. Some clients are now requiring contractors to transition from legacy Avetta® to Avetta One. If you’ve been asked to migrate your account, we can help you navigate the transition.

Documentation & Safety Programs

Do I need custom safety programs, or can I use a template?

Custom safety programs are strongly recommended, and often required. Generic or template-based programs are one of the most common reasons for rejected submissions on ISNetworld®, Avetta®, and Veriforce®. Reviewers look for programs that are specific to your company’s industry, scope of work, and operations. We create fully customized safety manuals that are written to meet platform expectations and pass review.

What is an EMR score, and why does it matter?

EMR stands for Experience Modification Rate. It’s a measure of your company’s workers’ compensation claim history compared to similar companies in your industry. A score below 1.0 is generally considered favorable. Many hiring clients set EMR thresholds; if your score is too high, you may be disqualified from prequalification regardless of your other documentation. Your EMR letter is issued by your insurance carrier and is typically required for all major compliance platforms.

What are OSHA 300 logs, and why are they required?

OSHA 300 logs are records of workplace injuries and illnesses that OSHA requires many employers to maintain. Compliance platforms use these logs to calculate your Total Recordable Incident Rate (TRIR) and Days Away, Restricted, or Transferred (DART) rate, key safety performance metrics that factor into your platform grade or approval status. Most platforms require the last three years of OSHA 300 logs.

What happens if my documents expire?

Expired documents can lower your platform grade, trigger a compliance flag, or deactivate your account entirely, which can prevent you from mobilizing to a job site or being awarded new work. Our Annual Account Maintenance Program tracks expiration dates across all your platforms and manages renewals before they become a problem.

Working With Industrial Compliance & Safety

How long does it take to get certified?

Most clients become compliant within 5 to 10 business days, depending on how quickly we receive the necessary documentation from you. For new accounts that require safety programs to be written from scratch, the full process typically takes 1 to 2 weeks. We also offer expedited service when you’re working against a deadline.

Can you help if my account has already been rejected or flagged?

Yes. We regularly work with contractors who have received rejections, deficiency notices, or dropped grades. We diagnose the issue, correct and reformat the documentation, and manage the resubmission process with the platform until approval is restored.

Do you work with small contractors or single-person operations?

Absolutely. We work with companies of all sizes, from owner-operators and small crews to large national contractors. Compliance requirements don’t scale down just because your company is small, and we make sure smaller contractors have the same access to expert support as larger ones.

Can you manage multiple platforms at once?

Yes. Many of our clients work with hiring clients across multiple platforms simultaneously. We manage documentation, submissions, and account maintenance across ISNetworld®, Avetta®, Veriforce®, ComplyWorks®, Cognibox®, and others,  keeping everything current and consistent.

Is this a one-time service or an ongoing relationship?

Both options are available. We offer one-time account setup and certification support for contractors who need to get approved quickly. We also offer ongoing Annual Account Maintenance for contractors who want to stay compliant year-round without managing it themselves. Many clients start with a one-time setup and transition to ongoing maintenance once they see the value.

How much does it cost?

Pricing depends on your company size, the number of platforms you need to be active on, and the number of safety programs required. We offer competitive pricing and free consultations so you can get a clear picture of what’s involved before committing. Call us at (800) 500-6301 or fill out our contact form to get a quote.

Industries & Scope

What industries do you work with?

We work with contractors and companies across a wide range of industries, including:

• Oil and gas pipelines
• Construction
• Chemicals
• Energy and utilities
• Manufacturing
• Mining
• Telecommunications
• Transportation and freight

If your industry requires prequalification through a third-party platform, we can help.

Do you only work with companies in Charlotte, NC?

No. While we are based in Charlotte, NC, we work with contractors and companies across the United States. Our services are fully remote, so we can support clients in any state or region.

Still Have Questions?

If you didn’t find what you were looking for, our team is ready to help. Call us at (800) 500-6301 for a free consultation, or fill out the contact form below. We’ll review your situation and recommend the best path forward.

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