Halliburton (NYSE: HAL) has been reapproved by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) as a Star Worksite within its Voluntary Protection Programs (VPP). The worksite approval is for Halliburton’s Drill Bits and Services manufacturing facility in The Woodlands, Texas. It is the only drill bit manufacturing facility in the energy services industry to achieve this status.
At this location, Halliburton designs and manufactures roller cone and fixed cutter drill bits to handle a broad range of drilling challenges. It also repairs bits at the facility, which opened in 2003 and was first certified in 2004. This is the second time the facility has been recognized with a recertification after completing an intensive audit process with OSHA/VPP. The first VPP recertification, which is designated for three years, was awarded in 2008.
“Serving as a model of excellence and influencing safety practices across the energy services industry demonstrates Halliburton’s commitment to the highest level of health and safety leadership,” said Laura Schwinn, vice president, Halliburton Drill Bits and Services. “Achieving this designation again validates our commitment to safely deliver exemplary solutions to our customers.”
The VPP recognizes employers and workers in private industry and federal agencies that have implemented effective safety and health management systems and that maintain injury and illness rates below national Bureau of Labor Statistics averages for their respective industries. In the VPP, management, labor and OSHA work cooperatively and proactively to prevent fatalities, injuries and illnesses through a system focused on hazard prevention and control, worksite analysis, training, management commitment and worker involvement. To participate, employers must submit an application to OSHA and undergo a rigorous onsite evaluation by a team of safety and health professionals. VPP participants are re-evaluated every three to five years to remain in the programs. VPP participants are exempt from OSHA programmed inspections while they maintain their VPP status.
About Halliburton
Founded in 1919, Halliburton is one of the world’s largest providers of products and services to the energy industry. With nearly 70,000 employees in approximately 80 countries, the company serves the upstream oil and gas industry throughout the life cycle of the reservoir – from locating hydrocarbons and managing geological data, to drilling and formation evaluation, well construction and completion, and optimizing production through the life of the field. Visit the company’s website at www.halliburton.com
