CH2M HILL OMI Earns Top OSHA Safety Designation

    DENVER, July 2 /PRNewswire/ -- A water and wastewater system operated
 by CH2M HILL OMI for the city of Rio Rancho, N.M., has earned the New
 Mexico Environment Department Occupational Health and Safety Bureau's
 highest designation for workplace safety -- the "Zia Star" status in its
 Voluntary Protection Program.
     Rio Rancho is the first CH2M HILL OMI-operated municipal water and
 wastewater system to be recognized with VPP status. The site is one of
 seven CH2M HILL OMI facilities to achieve top safety awards through the
 first half of this year.
     The Zia Star Voluntary Protection Program is New Mexico's version of
 the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration's Voluntary
 Protection Program, with program elements that mirror federal OSHA.
     OSHA VPP recognizes and promotes effective workplace safety and health
 management. To earn VPP status, companies must have a high degree of
 management support and employee involvement; high-quality worksite hazard
 analysis, prevention and control programs; and comprehensive safety and
 health training for all employees. Each of these elements must be in
 operation for at least one year before a company can apply to join the VPP.
 Government safety and health experts also conduct rigorous on-site
 evaluations and audits of proposed VPP sites.
     "This is like winning the Super Bowl of safety," says Mark Lasswell,
 CH2M HILL OMI president. "The 'Zia Star' designation reflects the
 excellence of our companywide practices to ensure safety is our priority
 consideration as we plan and execute all work activities for and with our
 municipal and industrial clients."
     Since 2002, more than 60 CH2M HILL OMI technical experts have operated
 and maintained the city of Rio Rancho's water and wastewater system, which
 includes 22 wells, 13 reservoirs, six wastewater treatment plants and a
 water treatment plant. New Mexico Occupational Health and Safety Bureau
 officials will present a VPP flag and plaque to the team at a ceremony to
 be held later this summer.
     In addition to the "Zia Star" Voluntary Protection Program designation,
 CH2M HILL OMI-operated sites have earned six other safety awards around the
 country so far this year:
     -- The wastewater treatment facility in West Liberty, Iowa, received the
        National Safety Council Perfect Record Award. In order to be
        considered, a company has to complete a minimum of 12 consecutive
        months without an injury.
     -- The Dodge City, Kan., wastewater treatment facility received the Kansas
        Water Environment Association's Class C Plant Safety Award for the
        eighth consecutive year. Plants receive this award for their documented
        safety program and the plant's safety record without a "loss of time"
        accident. CH2M HILL OMI in Dodge City has gone more than 7,000 days
        without a lost-time accident.
     -- The wastewater treatment facility in Key West, Fla., received the
        Florida Water Environment Association's Top 10 Facility Safety Award.
        Facilities win this award for their outstanding safety programs and
        commitment to both public and worker safety.
     -- The Crestview, Fla., wastewater treatment facility won the Florida
        Water & Pollution Control Operators Association's Top 10 Facility
        Safety Award. For consideration, a facility must have both outstanding
        safety programs and commitment to public and worker safety.
     -- The wastewater treatment facility in Fayetteville, Ark., was granted
        the Arkansas Water Environment Association's Safety Award for cities
        with populations over 20,000. Facilities that win this award must
        display outstanding performance and professionalism.
     -- The wastewater treatment facility in DeFuniak Springs, Fla., received
        the Florida Water Environment Association's Safety Award for facilities
        with exceptional safety programs.
     Clients in government and industry rely on the people of CH2M HILL OMI
 to provide a range of custom-tailored operations and maintenance solutions.
 The company's services include water and wastewater system optimization;
 contract O&M of water, wastewater and other utilities; and complete
 municipal operations, including administration, public works and community
 development -- all backed by a commitment to safety, quality, innovation
 and customer service. Founded by CH2M HILL in 1980, the Denver-based
 company serves clients in more than 30 U.S. states, Canada and Puerto Rico.
 For more information, visit http://www.omi.ch2mhill.com.
     Employee-owned CH2M HILL is a global firm providing engineering,
 construction, operations and related technical services to public and
 private clients. CH2M HILL has more than 19,000 employees around the world.
     For more information on the Zia Star Voluntary Protection Program,
 visit
 http://www.nmenv.state.nm.us/Ohsb_Website/zia_star_voluntary_protection_pro
 gra m.htm
 
 

SOURCE CH2M HILL