Region 6 News Release: OSHA-09-233-DAL
March 23, 2009
Contact: Elizabeth Todd
Phone: 972-850-4710

New alliance will promote safety for oil and gas workers in Arkansas, Louisiana and Texas

KILGORE, Texas -- Furthering the safety and health of oil and gas industry workers in east Texas, southern Arkansas and northwest Louisiana is the goal of an alliance signed between the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the Ark La Tex STEPS (Safe Transportation, Exploration and Production Systems) network.

"This is an opportunity for OSHA and members of the oil and gas industry to come together through forums, roundtable discussions, meetings and conferences to discuss safety and health issues associated with production, drilling and transportation operations," said Dean McDaniel, OSHA's regional administrator in Dallas. "We are hopeful that this cooperative effort will help prevent fatalities and injuries within the oil and gas industry."

The Ark La Tex STEPS was initiated in November 2007 and is patterned after the successful South Texas Exploration and Production Safety (STEPS) network. The goal of the network is to provide a forum for industry employers, contractors and employees to meet on a monthly basis, discuss best practices and lessons learned within the industry, and receive crucial information to enhance workplace safety. Additionally, the network will provide small businesses with information needed to build an effective safety and health management system.

OSHA alliances are a means for participating organizations to network with others committed to workplace safety and health, and exchange information about hazards. The agency currently has more than 470 alliances throughout the nation with organizations committed to fostering safety and health in the workplace.

Employers and employees with questions about this or other OSHA alliances or partnerships may call the agency's Dallas Area Office at 214-320-2400 or its Houston North Area Office at 281-591-2438.

OSHA has improved workplace safety and health over the past 38 years. This success is reflected in the latest data (2007) showing the lowest national injury and illness incidence rate that the Bureau of Labor Statistics has ever recorded. OSHA continues to work diligently to focus its resources where they will have the most impact in assuring that every working man and woman returns home safely every day.

Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, employers are responsible for providing safe and healthy workplaces for their employees. OSHA's role is to promote the safety and health of America's working men and women by setting and enforcing standards; providing training, outreach and education; establishing partnerships; and encouraging continual process improvement in workplace safety and health. For more information, visit www.osha.gov.

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U.S. Department of Labor releases are accessible on the Internet at www.dol.gov. The information in this news release will be made available in alternate format (large print, Braille, audiotape or disc) from the COAST office upon request. Please specify which news release when placing your request at 202-693-7828 or TTY 202-693-7755. The Labor Department is committed to providing America's employers and employees with easy access to understandable information on how to comply with its laws and regulations. For more information, please visit www.dol.gov/compliance.