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Sept. 3, 2010
Contact: Office of Communications
Phone: 202-693-1999

OSHA proposes improvements to its On-site Consultation Program

WASHINGTON – OSHA published today a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to revise regulations covering the agency’s On-site Consultation Program. The changes will provide the agency greater flexibility for inspecting worksites that are undergoing an on-site consultation visit and those that are granted Safety and Health Achievement Recognition Program (SHARP) status, as well as ensure enhanced worker safety.

The proposed changes include clarifying the Assistant Secretary’s authority to identify sites that will be inspected, even if those sites are normally exempt because of their SHARP status. For example, when workplace accidents occur that generate widespread public concern about a hazard or substance, such as diacetyl or combustible dust, the Assistant Secretary may require that OSHA respond to these hazards by inspecting all sites within a specific industry.

Another proposed change would add referrals as a basis to terminate an employer’s on-site consultation visit and conduct an enforcement visit. Referrals are allegations of potential workplace hazards or violations from state or local health departments, media, and other sources. The proposal maintains current procedures that allow enforcement visits to terminate an on-site consultation visit or SHARP status based on an imminent danger, fatalities or catastrophes, and complaints from workers.

OSHA is also proposing to revise the existing initial exemption from programmed inspections of up to two years with an extension of up to three years for employers who have achieved SHARP status to one year with an extension of up to another year.

Comments on the proposed rule must be submitted by November 2, 2010. Individuals may submit comments at http://www.regulations.gov, the Federal eRulemaking Portal. Comments may also be submitted by mail or hand delivery to the OSHA Docket Office, Docket Number OSHA-2010-0010, U.S. Department of Labor, Room N-2625, 200 Constitution Ave., N.W., Washington, D.C. 20210. Submissions not longer than 10 pages may be faxed to the OSHA Docket Office at 202-693-1648.

OSHA’s On-site Consultation Program offers employers free assistance in developing and implementing an effective safety and health management system, with priority given to small businesses in high-hazard industries. The On-site Consultation Program is largely funded by federal OSHA, but is administered by the States. Services are delivered by well-trained state government employees. SHARP provides incentives and support to employers who implement and continuously improve effective safety and health management systems at their worksite.

Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, employers are responsible for providing safe and healthful workplaces for their employees. OSHA’s role is to assure these conditions for America’s working men and women by setting and enforcing standards, and providing training, education and assistance. For more information, visit http://www.osha.gov

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U.S. Labor Department news releases are accessible on the Internet at www.dol.gov. The information in this release will be made available in alternative format upon request (large print, Braille, audiotape or disc) from the Central Office for Assistive Services and Technology. Please specify which news release when placing your request. Call 202-693-7828 or TTY 202-693-7755.

Athlon Energy and Apollo Partner to Pursue Investments in Oil and Natural Gas Properties

New York & Fort Worth, TX, September 1, 2010 - Athlon Energy LP (“Athlon”) announced on August 31 that it has partnered with Apollo Investment Fund VII, L.P. and its parallel investment funds (“Apollo”), which are affiliates of Apollo Global Management, LLC (together with its subsidiaries, “Apollo Management”), a leading global alternative asset manager, to pursue the acquisition and development of long-lived oil and natural gas properties in the onshore United States.  

Athlon’s executive management team is led by Bob Reeves, who will assume the role of Chief Executive Officer and President. Prior to Athlon, Mr. Reeves served as Chief Financial Officer and Senior Vice President of Encore Acquisition Company (formerly NYSE: “EAC”) and Encore Energy Partners (NYSE: “ENP”) until the two companies were acquired by Denbury Resources in March 2010.  

Kevin Treadway, also a founder of Athlon Energy, will serve as a member of the executive management team. Formerly, Mr. Treadway served as an executive officer for Encore Acquisition Company and Encore Energy Partners in the role of Senior Vice President – Land.  

The remaining founders and executives of Athlon include former members of the Encore management team, including Bud Holmes, Jennifer Palko, David McClelland and Rusty Plemons as well as Dallas Dobbs, who joins Athlon from a private oil and natural gas company.  

Bob Reeves, CEO and President of Athlon, stated, “We have been very fortunate to assemble a top-notch team of industry professionals who have worked together in a highly successful company over the past decade executing a proven strategy. We plan to continue that same strategy of opportunistically acquiring mature properties that can be further exploited by our vast technical expertise in producing regions such as the Rockies, Permian, Mid-Continent and Ark-La-Tex areas.” Mr. Reeves continued: “We are proud to partner with a premier private equity fund like Apollo in the creation of Athlon Energy. Apollo Management has significant experience in the global commodities sector and they clearly understand the need to buy right with a focus on the fundamentals while considering underlying macro trends impacting the energy industry.”  

Greg Beard, a Senior Partner at Apollo Management, said, “We are thrilled to back a first-class team of energy industry executives who share our same view towards the domestic oil and natural gas landscape.” Mr. Beard went on to comment, “Focusing on oil and natural gas assets is consistent with our approach of investing in complex sectors where we seek to appropriately capitalize businesses to withstand market cycles and partner with strong management teams to drive value through operations.”  

About Athlon Energy  

Athlon Energy L.P. is a newly formed independent oil and natural gas company headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas. The Company will seek to execute its proven low-risk “acquire and exploit” strategy by establishing a footprint in proven basins with initial acquisitions of mature producing properties that have long-lived, predictable reserves in the onshore continental United States. The management team will seek to add value to these properties by deploying its significant operating experience and exploitation skills to expand reserves and production through enhanced recovery techniques, low-risk drilling and operational efficiencies. For more information, please visit www.athlonenergy.com.  

About Apollo Global Management  

Apollo Global Management is a leading global alternative asset manager with offices in New York, Los Angeles, London, Frankfurt, Luxembourg, Singapore, Hong Kong and Mumbai. As of December 31, 2009, Apollo Global Management had assets under management of $53.6 billion in its private equity, capital markets and real estate funds invested across a core group of nine industries, including commodities, where Apollo has considerable knowledge and resources. For more information about Apollo, please visit www.agm.com.

For More Information Contact
Bob Reeves
Athlon Energy
817-887-8478
BReeves@AthlonEnergy.com
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Release Number: 10-1215-PHI
Sept. 2, 2010
Contact: Leni Fortson
Phone: 215-861-5102
E-mail: uddyback-fortson.lenore@dol.gov

US Department of Labor’s OSHA cites Blandon, Pa., brass foundry
$550,400 for exposing workers to lead and other workplace hazards

“The employer deliberately refused to protect workers from overexposure to lead and other workplace hazards. Even though company management knew of the OSHA requirements and the workers’ lead exposures, it failed to provide medical surveillance to monitor worker health and to train its workers about lead-exposure risks,” said Assistant Secretary of Labor for OSHA Dr. David Michaels. “OSHA will use the full extent of the law to ensure employers are held accountable for failing to protect workers.”

Following its investigation, OSHA cited Excelsior Brass Works for willful and serious violations of the lead standard, which requires employers to protect their workers from lead exposure. Lead can cause brain damage, paralysis, kidney disease and even death.

The willful citations allege the company did not take air samples as required for workers who were over-exposed to airborne lead, and it did not provide the required annual training about lead-exposure hazards. Willful citations also allege failures to provide the required medical surveillance for the lead-exposed workers and to make available the results of medical tests performed shortly after OSHA came to the facility and opened the inspection. An additional willful violation alleges that the company stopped providing hearing tests to employees over-exposed to noise. Willful violations are those committed with intentional, knowing or voluntary disregard for legal requirements, or plain indifference to employee safety and health.

Serious citations of the lead standards allege failures to install additional engineering controls; to have an updated, written lead compliance program; to store lead-contaminated clothing in a closed container; to maintain surfaces like microwaves and lunchroom floors free of lead dust; to vacuum clothes to remove lead dust before entering the lunchroom; to provide medical exams to employees with high blood-lead levels; and to maintain proper air sampling records.

Additional serious citations allege that the employer failed to install engineering controls for noise; establish a written respirator program; to provide respirator fit-tests; and establish a program with procedures to shut down and lock out hazardous energy sources before servicing and maintaining machines. OSHA issues a serious citation when there is substantial probability that death or serious physical harm could result and the employer knew, or should have known, of the hazard.

Two other-than-serious violations, accounting for $1,200 of the total penalties, allege recordkeeping deficiencies.

Excelsior Brass Works, with six previous OSHA inspections at its Blandon facility, manufactures brass and bronze castings.

The company has 15 business days from receipt of the citations to comply, request an informal conference with OSHA’s area director, or contest the citations and proposed penalties before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission. The investigation was conducted by OSHA’s office in Harrisburg, Pa; telephone: 717-782-3902. To report workplace accidents, fatalities or situations posing imminent danger to workers, call OSHA’s toll-free hotline at 800-321-5742.

Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, employers are responsible for providing safe and healthful workplaces for their employees. OSHA’s role is to assure these conditions for America’s working men and women by setting and enforcing standards, and providing training, education and assistance. For more information, visit http://www.osha.gov.

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U.S. Department of Labor releases are accessible on the Internet at http://www.dol.gov. The information in this news release will be made available in alternate format (large print, Braille, audio tape 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 http://www.dol.gov/compliance.

Chesapeake Energy Corporation Announces Successful Completion of Cash Tender Offers for Certain Series of Senior Notes

Oklahoma City, September 1, 2010 - Chesapeake Energy Corporation (NYSE:CHK) announced on August 31 the expiration of its previously announced cash tender offers for any and all of its outstanding 7.00% Senior Notes due 2014, 6.625% Senior Notes due 2016 and 6.25% Senior Notes due 2018 (collectively, the “Notes”). The tender offers expired at 12:00 midnight, New York City time, on August 30, 2010 (the “Expiration Date”). The full terms and conditions of the tender offers are set forth in the Offer to Purchase and Consent Solicitation Statement dated August 3, 2010 (the “Statement”).  

As previously announced, on August 17, 2010 Chesapeake purchased $245,051,000 principal amount of its outstanding 7.00% Senior Notes due 2014, $566,242,000 principal amount of its outstanding 6.625% Senior Notes due 2016 and $582,263,000 principal amount of its outstanding 6.25% Senior Notes due 2018 validly tendered and not validly withdrawn as of 5:00 P.M., New York City time, on August 16, 2010, which was the consent time (the “Consent Time”) for the tender offers and related consent solicitations with respect to the Notes. Chesapeake has received and accepted for purchase an additional $60,000 principal amount of its outstanding 7.00% Senior Notes due 2014, $388,000 principal amount of its outstanding 6.625% Senior Notes due 2016 and $207,000 principal amount of its outstanding 6.25% Senior Notes due 2018 validly tendered subsequent to the Consent Time and prior to the Expiration Date. Chesapeake has agreed to purchase all such Notes for the applicable tender offer consideration set forth in the Statement.  

Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC served as the Dealer Manager for the tender offers and Solicitation Agent for the consent solicitations. Questions regarding the tender offers and consent solicitations may be directed to Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC toll free at (800) 820-1653 and collect at (212) 325-5912. Holders may obtain copies of the Statement and the related Letter of Transmittal and Consent from the Information Agent and Depositary for the tender offers, Global Bondholder Services Corporation, collect at (212) 430-3774 and toll free at (866) 952-2200.  

This announcement is not an offer to purchase, a solicitation of an offer to purchase, or a solicitation of an offer to sell securities with respect to the Notes, nor is it a notice of redemption with respect to the redemptions described above. The tender offers were made solely pursuant to the Statement and the related Letter of Transmittal and Consent.  

Chesapeake Energy Corporation is the second-largest producer of natural gas and the most active driller of new wells in the U.S. Headquartered in Oklahoma City, the company’s operations are focused on discovering and developing unconventional natural gas and oil fields onshore in the U.S. Chesapeake owns leading positions in the Barnett, Fayetteville, Haynesville, Marcellus and Bossier natural gas shale plays and in the Eagle Ford, Granite Wash and various other unconventional oil plays. The company has also vertically integrated its operations and owns substantial midstream, compression, drilling and oilfield service assets.

For More Information Contact
Jeffrey L. Mobley
CFA
405-767-4763
jeff.mobley@chk.com
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Jim Gipson
405-935-1310
jim.gipson@chk.com
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Release Number: 10-1179-DAL
Sept. 1, 2010
Contact: Diana Petterson     Elizabeth Todd
E-mail: petterson.diana@dol.gov   todd.elizabeth@dol.gov
Phone: 202-693-1898     972-850-4710

US Department of Labor’s OSHA cites Houston manufacturing company
for hiding work-related injuries and illnesses; fines exceed $1.2 million

HOUSTON – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration has issued Goodman Manufacturing Co. LP 83 willful citations for failing to record and improperly recording work-related injuries and illnesses at the company’s Houston air conditioning cooling facility. Proposed penalties total $1,215,000.

“Accurate workplace injury and illness records are vital tools for identifying hazards and protecting workers’ health and safety,” said Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis. “Workers and employers need this information to recognize patterns of injuries and illnesses, and prevent future hazards.”

OSHA’s Houston North Area Office began its investigation March 2 in response to a complaint alleging that Goodman Manufacturing was not properly recording workplace injuries and illnesses in violation of OSHA’s regulations. The investigation determined that Goodman had either not recorded or failed to properly record the nature and/or duration of 72 percent of employee injuries and illnesses from January 2008 to March 15, 2010, on its log.

Although Goodman was extremely knowledgeable about OSHA recordkeeping requirements, it made many unsupportable decisions that resulted in the deficiencies found by the agency. With regard to the injuries and illnesses improperly recorded, important information reflecting severity, such as the time away from work, was grossly incorrect.

“OSHA takes these violations extremely seriously,” said Assistant Secretary of Labor for OSHA Dr. David Michaels. “OSHA needs accurate data to effectively target its inspections and resources, and to measure the impact of OSHA’s actions on workplace safety. Employers and workers need to understand how important accurate data are to workplace safety and health.”

OSHA defines a willful violation as one committed with plain indifference to or intentional disregard for OSHA’s requirements or employee safety and health.

The company has 15 business days from receipt of the citations to comply, request an informal conference with OSHA’s area director in Houston, or contest the citations and penalties before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission. Employers and employees with questions about workplace safety and health standards can call OSHA’s Houston North Area Office at 281-591-2438 or its Houston South Area Office at 281-286-0583. To report workplace accidents, fatalities or situations posing imminent danger to workers, call OSHA’s toll-free hotline at 800-321-6742.

Apart from this particular investigation, OSHA has implemented a National Emphasis Program on Recordkeeping to assess the accuracy of injury and illness recorded by employers.

Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, employers are responsible for providing safe and healthful workplaces for their employees. OSHA’s role is to assure these conditions for America’s working men and women by setting and enforcing standards, and providing training, education and assistance. For more information, visit http://www.osha.gov.

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U.S. Department of Labor releases are accessible on the Internet at http://www.dol.gov. The information in this news release will be made available in alternate format (large print, Braille, audio tape 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 http://www.dol.gov/compliance.