FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
For More Information:
Jim Winchester
Communications Director
New Mexico Environment Department
(505) 231-8800 / jim.winchester@state.nm.us
Wally Drangmeister
Director of Communications
New Mexico Oil & Gas Association
(505) 982-2568
New Mexico OSHA and NMOGA Announce Collaborative Effort To Increase Worker Safety
Santa Fe, New Mexico, January 25, 2012 –The New Mexico Occupational Health and Safety Bureau (NM OSHA) and the New Mexico Oil & Gas Association (NMOGA) signed an agreement today that establishes an alliance to foster safer and more healthful New Mexico workplaces.
“We both recognize that our highest priority is protecting the safety and health of industry workers across New Mexico,” said New Mexico Environmental Department (NMED) Secretary David Martin. “Oil and gas operations present some unique safety hazards, which if not properly addressed can have disastrous results. We expect this collaborative effort to lead to more comprehensive training and education for oil and gas workers statewide, which will in turn reduce the number of workplace injuries.”
“The oil and gas industry is strongly committed to protecting the safety of our employees and the environment,” said NMOGA President Steve Henke. “We are very pleased to be able to work with NM OSHA to develop industry specific information that will help us improve our safety practices associated with oil and gas exploration, production and transmission.”
The Alliance between NM OSHA and NMOGA was signed this morning during an 11:30 a.m. meeting between the two organizations. NMOGA Chairman Matt Hyde and NMOGA President Steve Henke signed on behalf of its member companies. NMED Secretary David Martin and NM OSHA Bureau Chief Mary Uhl signed on behalf of the New Mexico Environment Department.
As part of the Alliance Agreement, a team of representatives from both organizations will meet quarterly to develop a plan of action, determine working procedures, and identify roles and responsibilities of the participants. The two organizations will also work together during state safety conferences and encourage participation from industry representatives through development of materials, training programs, workshops, seminars, and lectures. The Alliance will remain in effect for two years.
###