FAR 52.228-3 — Workers’ Compensation Insurance (Defense Base Act)

Contract clause · dated Jul 2014 · prescribed in FAR 28.309(a) · current through FAC 2026-01

In plain English

FAR 52.228-3, Workers’ Compensation Insurance (Defense Base Act), is a contract clause prescribed at FAR 28.309(a), most recently dated Jul 2014. The complete official text is reproduced below, verbatim, from GSA's published FAR source files.

Its own text directs the contractor to include it in certain subcontracts, subject to the conditions quoted in the flowdown section below.

Does it flow down to subcontracts?

Flows down conditionally — mandate with stated conditions

“(c) The Contractor shall insert the substance of this clause, including this paragraph (c), in all subcontracts to which the Defense Base Act applies.”— FAR 52.228-3, paragraph (c), official text

Where it's prescribed

As prescribed in 28.309(a), insert the following clause:

Prescribing reference: FAR 28.309(a).

The official text, verbatim

FAR 52.228-3 · Jul 2014 current through FAC 2026-01 acquisition.gov eCFR (48 CFR)

As prescribed in 28.309(a), insert the following clause:

Workers’ Compensation Insurance (Defense Base Act) (Jul 2014)

  • (a) The Contractor shall

    • (1) Before commencing performance under this contract, establish provisions to provide for the payment of disability compensation and medical benefits to covered employees and death benefits to their eligible survivors, by purchasing workers’ compensation insurance or qualifying as a self-insurer under the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act (33 U.S.C. 932) as extended by the Defense Base Act (42 U.S.C.1651, etseq.), and continue to maintain provisions to provide such Defense Base Act benefits until contract performance is completed;

    • (2) Within ten days of an employee’s injury or death or from the date the Contractor has knowledge of the injury or death, submit Form LS-202 (Employee’s First Report of Injury or Occupational Illness) to the Department of Labor in accordance with the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act (33 U.S.C. 930(a), 20 CFR 702.201 to 702.203);

    • (3) Pay all compensation due for disability or death within the time frames required by the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act (33 U.S.C. 914, 20 CFR 702.231 and 703.232);

    • (4) Provide for medical care as required by the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act (33 U.S.C. 907, 20 CFR 702.402 and 702.419);

    • (5) If controverting the right to compensation, submit Form LS-207 (Notice of Controversion of Right to Compensation) to the Department of Labor in accordance with the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act (33 U.S.C. 914(d), 20 CFR 702.251);

    • (6) Immediately upon making the first payment of compensation in any case, submit Form LS-206 (Payment Of Compensation Without Award) to the Department of Labor in accordance with the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act (33 U.S.C. 914(c), 20 CFR 702.234);

    • (7) When payments are suspended or when making the final payment, submit Form LS-208 (Notice of Final Payment or Suspension of Compensation Payments) to the Department of Labor in accordance with the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act (33 U.S.C. 914(c) and (g), 20 CFR 702.234 and 702.235); and

    • (8) Adhere to all other provisions of the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act as extended by the Defense Base Act, and Department of Labor regulations at 20 CFR Parts 701 to 704.

  • (b) For additional information on the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act requirements see http://www.dol.gov/owcp/dlhwc/lsdba.htm.

  • (c) The Contractor shall insert the substance of this clause, including this paragraph (c), in all subcontracts to which the Defense Base Act applies.

(End of clause)

The text above is reproduced from GSA's published FAR source files (GSA/GSA-Acquisition-FAR @ da52ccb (2026-03-30)), retrieved 2026-07-17. The official publication at acquisition.gov / eCFR controls if they differ.