diff --git a/cmd/s3/s3.go b/cmd/s3/s3.go
index 8f20d47..7640913 100644
--- a/cmd/s3/s3.go
+++ b/cmd/s3/s3.go
@@ -15,6 +15,11 @@
 package s3
 
 import (
+	"log/slog"
+	"os"
+	"os/signal"
+	"syscall"
+
 	"github.com/spf13/cobra"
 
 	"github.com/cockroachdb/field-eng-powertools/stopper"
@@ -29,7 +34,22 @@ func command(env *env.Env) *cobra.Command {
 		Use:   "s3",
 		Short: "Performs a validation test for a s3 object store",
 		RunE: func(cmd *cobra.Command, args []string) error {
-			ctx := stopper.WithContext(cmd.Context())
+			// Parent context for cleanup operations
+			parentCtx := stopper.WithContext(cmd.Context())
+			// Child context for validator operations that can be stopped
+			ctx := stopper.WithContext(parentCtx)
+
+			// Set up signal handler
+			sigChan := make(chan os.Signal, 1)
+			signal.Notify(sigChan, syscall.SIGTERM, syscall.SIGINT)
+			defer signal.Stop(sigChan)
+
+			go func() {
+				sig := <-sigChan
+				slog.Info("Received signal, stopping validator", slog.String("signal", sig.String()))
+				ctx.Stop(0)
+			}()
+
 			store, err := blob.S3FromEnv(ctx, env)
 			if err != nil {
 				return err
@@ -44,12 +64,16 @@ func command(env *env.Env) *cobra.Command {
 			if err != nil {
 				return err
 			}
-			defer validator.Clean(ctx)
+			// Use parent context for cleanup so it can access the database
+			defer validator.Clean(parentCtx)
+
 			report, err := validator.Validate(ctx)
 			if err != nil {
 				return err
 			}
-			format.Report(cmd.OutOrStdout(), report)
+			if report != nil {
+				format.Report(cmd.OutOrStdout(), report)
+			}
 			return nil
 		},
 	}
diff --git a/internal/db/kvtable.go b/internal/db/kvtable.go
index 7046a64..db1921d 100644
--- a/internal/db/kvtable.go
+++ b/internal/db/kvtable.go
@@ -122,3 +122,28 @@ func (t *KvTable) Fingerprint(ctx *stopper.Context, conn *pgxpool.Conn) (string,
 	}
 	return b.String(), rows.Err()
 }
+
+const jobsStmt = `
+SELECT job_id
+FROM [SHOW JOBS]
+WHERE
+  NOT status = ANY (@status)
+  AND description LIKE @desc
+`
+
+var pendingStatues = []string{"succeeded", "failed"}
+
+// PendingJobs returns a list of job IDs that are still pending (not succeeded or failed).
+func (t *KvTable) PendingJobs(ctx *stopper.Context, conn *pgxpool.Conn) ([]int64, error) {
+	slog.Debug("Checking for pending jobs", slog.String("table", t.String()))
+	rows, err := conn.Query(ctx, jobsStmt, pgx.NamedArgs{
+		"status": pendingStatues,
+		"desc":   fmt.Sprintf("%%%s%%", t.Name),
+	})
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	defer rows.Close()
+
+	return pgx.CollectRows(rows, pgx.RowTo[int64])
+}
diff --git a/internal/validate/backup.go b/internal/validate/backup.go
index 4fb2f6e..399efb5 100644
--- a/internal/validate/backup.go
+++ b/internal/validate/backup.go
@@ -17,8 +17,6 @@ package validate
 import (
 	"log/slog"
 
-	"github.com/jackc/pgx/v5/pgxpool"
-
 	"github.com/cockroachdb/errors"
 	"github.com/cockroachdb/field-eng-powertools/stopper"
 	"github.com/cockroachlabs-field/blobcheck/internal/db"
@@ -62,9 +60,13 @@ func (v *Validator) checkBackups(ctx *stopper.Context, extConn *db.ExternalConn)
 }
 
 // performRestore restores the backup to a separate database.
-func (v *Validator) performRestore(
-	ctx *stopper.Context, conn *pgxpool.Conn, extConn *db.ExternalConn,
-) error {
+func (v *Validator) performRestore(ctx *stopper.Context, extConn *db.ExternalConn) error {
+	conn, err := v.acquireConn(ctx)
+	if err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	defer conn.Release()
+
 	slog.Info("restoring backup")
 	if err := v.restoredTable.Restore(ctx, conn, extConn, &v.sourceTable); err != nil {
 		return errors.Wrap(err, "failed to restore backup")
@@ -88,9 +90,12 @@ func (v *Validator) runFullBackup(ctx *stopper.Context, extConn *db.ExternalConn
 }
 
 // runIncrementalBackup runs an incremental backup.
-func (v *Validator) runIncrementalBackup(
-	ctx *stopper.Context, conn *pgxpool.Conn, extConn *db.ExternalConn,
-) error {
+func (v *Validator) runIncrementalBackup(ctx *stopper.Context, extConn *db.ExternalConn) error {
+	conn, err := v.acquireConn(ctx)
+	if err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	defer conn.Release()
 	slog.Info("starting incremental backup")
 	if err := v.sourceTable.Backup(ctx, conn, extConn, true); err != nil {
 		return errors.Wrap(err, "failed to create incremental backup")
@@ -99,7 +104,13 @@ func (v *Validator) runIncrementalBackup(
 }
 
 // verifyIntegrity checks that the restored data matches the original.
-func (v *Validator) verifyIntegrity(ctx *stopper.Context, conn *pgxpool.Conn) error {
+func (v *Validator) verifyIntegrity(ctx *stopper.Context) error {
+	conn, err := v.acquireConn(ctx)
+	if err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	defer conn.Release()
+
 	slog.Info("checking integrity")
 	original, err := v.sourceTable.Fingerprint(ctx, conn)
 	if err != nil {
diff --git a/internal/validate/db.go b/internal/validate/db.go
index a230c81..7efb184 100644
--- a/internal/validate/db.go
+++ b/internal/validate/db.go
@@ -33,6 +33,24 @@ func (v *Validator) acquireConn(ctx *stopper.Context) (*pgxpool.Conn, error) {
 	return conn, nil
 }
 
+// captureInitialStats captures initial database statistics.
+func (v *Validator) captureInitialStats(
+	ctx *stopper.Context, extConn *db.ExternalConn,
+) ([]*db.Stats, error) {
+	conn, err := v.acquireConn(ctx)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	defer conn.Release()
+
+	slog.Info("capturing initial statistics")
+	stats, err := extConn.Stats(ctx, conn)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, errors.Wrap(err, "failed to capture initial statistics")
+	}
+	return stats, nil
+}
+
 // createSourceTable creates the source database and table.
 func createSourceTable(ctx *stopper.Context, conn *pgxpool.Conn) (db.KvTable, error) {
 	source := db.Database{Name: "_blobcheck"}
@@ -66,15 +84,3 @@ func createRestoredTable(ctx *stopper.Context, conn *pgxpool.Conn) (db.KvTable,
 	}
 	return restoredTable, nil
 }
-
-// captureInitialStats captures initial database statistics.
-func captureInitialStats(
-	ctx *stopper.Context, extConn *db.ExternalConn, conn *pgxpool.Conn,
-) ([]*db.Stats, error) {
-	slog.Info("capturing initial statistics")
-	stats, err := extConn.Stats(ctx, conn)
-	if err != nil {
-		return nil, errors.Wrap(err, "failed to capture initial statistics")
-	}
-	return stats, nil
-}
diff --git a/internal/validate/validate.go b/internal/validate/validate.go
index 94e3224..40d7272 100644
--- a/internal/validate/validate.go
+++ b/internal/validate/validate.go
@@ -77,6 +77,16 @@ func New(ctx *stopper.Context, env *env.Env, blobStorage blob.Storage) (*Validat
 		return nil, err
 	}
 
+	// Check for pending jobs on the source table
+	pendingJobs, err := sourceTable.PendingJobs(ctx, conn)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, errors.Wrap(err, "failed to check for pending jobs on source table")
+	}
+	if len(pendingJobs) > 0 {
+		slog.Error("pending jobs found on source table. Please review and cancel them.", slog.Any("job_ids", pendingJobs))
+		return nil, errors.New("pending jobs found on source table")
+	}
+
 	restoredTable, err := createRestoredTable(ctx, conn)
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, err
@@ -113,6 +123,7 @@ func preflight(ctx *stopper.Context, env *env.Env, blobStorage blob.Storage) err
 
 // Clean removes all resources created by the validator.
 func (v *Validator) Clean(ctx *stopper.Context) error {
+	slog.Debug("Starting cleanup of validator resources")
 	conn, err := v.acquireConn(ctx)
 	if err != nil {
 		return err
@@ -120,17 +131,26 @@ func (v *Validator) Clean(ctx *stopper.Context) error {
 	defer conn.Release()
 
 	var e1, e2 error
+	slog.Debug("Dropping source database", slog.String("database", v.sourceTable.Database.String()))
 	if err := v.sourceTable.Database.Drop(ctx, conn); err != nil {
-		slog.Error("drop source DB", "err", err)
 		e1 = errors.Wrap(err, "failed to drop source database")
 	}
+	slog.Debug("Dropping restored database", slog.String("database", v.restoredTable.Database.String()))
 	if err := v.restoredTable.Database.Drop(ctx, conn); err != nil {
-		slog.Error("drop restored DB", "err", err)
 		e2 = errors.Wrap(err, "failed to drop restored database")
 	}
 	return errors.Join(e1, e2)
 }
 
+// validationStepFn is a function that performs a validation step.
+type validationStepFn func(ctx *stopper.Context, extConn *db.ExternalConn) error
+
+// validationStep represents a step in the validation process.
+type validationStep struct {
+	name string
+	fn   validationStepFn
+}
+
 // Validate performs a backup/restore against a storage provider
 // to asses minimum compatibility at the functional level.
 // This does not imply that a storage provider passing the test is supported.
@@ -148,31 +168,55 @@ func (v *Validator) Validate(ctx *stopper.Context) (*Report, error) {
 	}
 	defer extConn.Drop(ctx, conn)
 
-	stats, err := captureInitialStats(ctx, extConn, conn)
-	if err != nil {
-		return nil, err
-	}
-
-	if err := v.runWorkloadWithBackup(ctx, extConn); err != nil {
-		return nil, err
-	}
-
-	if err := v.runIncrementalBackup(ctx, conn, extConn); err != nil {
-		return nil, err
-	}
-
-	if err := v.checkBackups(ctx, extConn); err != nil {
-		return nil, err
-	}
-
-	if err := v.performRestore(ctx, conn, extConn); err != nil {
-		return nil, err
-	}
-
-	if err := v.verifyIntegrity(ctx, conn); err != nil {
-		// If we fail to verify the integrity, just log the error, but
-		// still provide a complete report
-		slog.Error("failed to verify integrity", slog.Any("error", err))
+	var stats []*db.Stats
+
+	// Define validation steps
+	steps := []validationStep{
+		{
+			name: "capture initial stats",
+			fn: func(ctx *stopper.Context, extConn *db.ExternalConn) error {
+				var err error
+				stats, err = v.captureInitialStats(ctx, extConn)
+				return err
+			},
+		},
+		{
+			name: "workload with backup",
+			fn:   v.runWorkloadWithBackup,
+		},
+		{
+			name: "incremental backup",
+			fn:   v.runIncrementalBackup,
+		},
+		{
+			name: "check backups",
+			fn:   v.checkBackups,
+		},
+		{
+			name: "restore",
+			fn:   v.performRestore,
+		},
+		{
+			name: "verify integrity",
+			fn: func(ctx *stopper.Context, extConn *db.ExternalConn) error {
+				if err := v.verifyIntegrity(ctx); err != nil {
+					// If we fail to verify the integrity, just log the error, but
+					// still provide a complete report
+					slog.Error("failed to verify integrity", slog.Any("error", err))
+				}
+				return nil
+			},
+		},
+	}
+
+	// Execute steps
+	for _, step := range steps {
+		if ctx.IsStopping() {
+			return nil, ctx.Err()
+		}
+		if err := step.fn(ctx, extConn); err != nil {
+			return nil, errors.Wrapf(err, "failed during step: %s", step.name)
+		}
 	}
 
 	return &Report{
diff --git a/internal/validate/workload.go b/internal/validate/workload.go
index a1cf305..baec4e0 100644
--- a/internal/validate/workload.go
+++ b/internal/validate/workload.go
@@ -33,6 +33,9 @@ func (v *Validator) runWorkloadWithBackup(ctx *stopper.Context, extConn *db.Exte
 	if err := v.runWorkload(ctx, v.env.WorkloadDuration); err != nil {
 		return errors.Wrap(err, "failed to run initial workload")
 	}
+	if ctx.IsStopping() {
+		return nil
+	}
 	return v.runConcurrentWorkloadAndBackup(ctx, extConn)
 }
 
@@ -45,8 +48,9 @@ func (v *Validator) runConcurrentWorkloadAndBackup(
 	for w := range v.env.Workers {
 		g.Add(1)
 		ctx.Go(func(ctx *stopper.Context) error {
+			slog.Info("starting", "worker", w)
 			defer g.Done()
-			return v.runWorkloadWorker(ctx, w)
+			return v.runWorkload(ctx, v.env.WorkloadDuration)
 		})
 	}
 
@@ -86,13 +90,3 @@ func (v *Validator) runWorkload(ctx *stopper.Context, duration time.Duration) er
 	}
 	return nil
 }
-
-// runWorkloadWorker runs a single worker instance.
-func (v *Validator) runWorkloadWorker(ctx *stopper.Context, workerID int) error {
-	slog.Info("starting", "worker", workerID)
-	if err := v.runWorkload(ctx, v.env.WorkloadDuration); err != nil {
-		slog.Error("worker failed", "worker", workerID, "error", err)
-		return errors.Wrapf(err, "worker %d failed", workerID)
-	}
-	return nil
-}