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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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