September 15, 2016

OSHA, Permian Basin STEPS Network renew alliance to support
improved safety culture for Texas' oil and gas workers

Participants: The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration's El Paso and Lubbock Area Offices, Permian Basin Service, Transmission, Exploration and Production Safety Network

Diego Alvarado, director of OSHA's El Paso Area Office; Elizabeth Linda Routh, director of OSHA's Lubbock Area Office; and Brad Norton, Vice President of the Permian Basin STEPS Network sign alliance to promote oil and gas worker safety

Description: The department and Permian Basin STEPS are renewing their 2008 alliance to address exposure to hazardous chemicals and increase safety culture in the oil and gas industry. OSHA and the STEPS network will continue to receive safety and health guidance, access training and meet monthly to share best practices.

Duration: The renewed alliance has a three-year term.

Quote: "Since 2008, the Permian Basin Service, Transmission, Exploration and Production Safety Network has been an excellent partner of the agency, communicating safety and health information to their stakeholders in the oil and gas industry and supporting OSHA's initiatives for workplace safety," said Diego Alvarado Jr., OSHA's Area Director in El Paso. "By recommitting to our collaborative efforts, we strengthen our ability to promote workplace safety and health and we have the ability to reach out to individuals working in the oil and gas industry."

Information: Through its Alliance Program, OSHA works with businesses, trade associations, unions, consulates, professional organizations, faith and community-based organizations, and educational institutions to prevent workplace fatalities, injuries and illnesses. For more information on OSHA partnerships and alliances, please call OSHA's toll-free hotline 800-321-OSHA (6742) or OSHA's El Paso Area Office at 915-534-6251 or OSHA's Lubbock Area Office at 806-472-7681.

# # #

Media Contacts:

Chauntra Rideaux, 214-543-2426, rideaux.chauntra.D@dol.gov
Juan J. Rodríguez, 972-850-4709, rodriguez.juan@dol.gov

Release Number: 16-1862-DAL

U.S. Department of Labor news materials are accessible at http://www.dol.gov. The department's Reasonable Accommodation Resource Center converts departmental information and documents into alternative formats, which include Braille and large print. For alternative format requests, please contact the department at (202) 693-7828 (voice) or (800) 877-8339 (federal relay).