A stop work order is a written directive halting all work on a project (or a portion of it) until a specific issue is resolved. The AHJ issues stop work orders for code violations, unpermitted work, repeated red tags, or safety hazards. OSHA issues stop work orders for imminent danger conditions. Owners issue stop work orders contractually for non-payment by lower-tier parties, scope disputes, or major defective-work findings. Contractors issue stop work directives to subs as a contractual remedy when sub work threatens safety or quality.
Stop work orders are far more disruptive than red tags because they halt all work on the affected scope, not just the specific deficient item. Costs include direct demobilization, schedule impact (often days to weeks), the cost of resolving the underlying issue, and the chain effect on dependent activities. Resolution typically requires a written response addressing the cited issue, sometimes a hearing or appeal process, and re-inspection or re-acceptance before work can resume.