The Occupational Health and Safety Act requires employers to provide employees with a safe and healthy work environment. The Occupational Safety and Health Bureau offers resources to help employers ensure worker safety and programs that recognize employers that go above and beyond to achieve workplace safety.

The New Mexico OSHA Poster is available here. If you would like to request a paper copy of the poster, please send your request to nmenv-osha@state.nm.us

Free workplace consultations for small businesses

The New Mexico Occupational Health and Safety Bureau’s (NM OSHA’s) On-site Consultation Program is designed for small employers with 250 of fewer employees. Consultants can help identify hazards and find effective and economical solutions for eliminating or controlling them. Consultants can also assist you in developing and implementing an injury and illness prevention program—an effective way to manage safety and health at your workplace. The service is cost-free and confidential and there are no fines even if problems are discovered during the consultant’s visit to your site.

The Consultation Program is NOT part of OHSB Enforcement/Compliance. OHSB Enforcement/ Compliance conducts unannounced inspections, which may result in costly enforcement penalties if hazards are found. The Consultation Program is a resource for employers to prevent this from happening.

When you request and agree to a consultation visit, you agree to correct any serious hazards or imminently dangerous situations that might be identified. Hazards must be corrected in the time frame decided upon between you and the Consultant for the safety of your employees.

The OSHA standard 1908.6(e)(8) requires that you post the list of serious hazards and correction due dates when you receive it from your consultant for a minimum of three days or until all hazards are corrected. Information on other hazards as well as correction methods proposed must also be made available to employees.

Small business employers may request consultation services by submitting an online Request for Consultation Services Form. Employers may also request consultation via mail or email by downloading the print version of the Request for Consultation Services Form available here.

Use the resources listed below for more information on the consultation program.

  • Download the Consultation Brochure here.
  • Email questions about Consultation at NMENV-OSHCON@state.nm.us
  • Call 505-476-8700 and ask for Consultation
  • Mailing Address
Attention: Consultation Program Manager
525 Camino de los Marquez
Santa Fe, New Mexico
87505

Safety and Health Achievement Recognition Program

The Safety and Health Achievement Recognition Program (SHARP) recognizes small employers who operate an exemplary safety and health management system. Acceptance into the SHARP by NM OSHA is an achievement of status that will single you out among your business peers as a model for worksite safety and health. Upon receiving SHARP recognition, your worksite will be deferred from programmed inspections from NM OSHA Compliance/Enforcement during the period that your SHARP status is valid. The New Mexico Occupational Health and Safety Bureau manages the General Industry SHARP. Apply for the General Industry SHARP Program here

Compliance Assistance Program

Compliance Assistance Specialists (CAS) can provide general information about OSHA standards and compliance assistance resources. They provide outreach to a variety of groups, including small businesses and other employers, trade and professional associations, union locals, and community and faith-based groups and are available for seminars, workshops, and speaking events. They also promote and help implement NM OSHA’s cooperative programs, including the Voluntary Protection Programs, the Strategic Partnership Program, and the Alliance Program.

Zia Star Voluntary Protection Program

The Zia Star Voluntary Protection Program (VPP) is New Mexico OSHA’s top level recognition for General Industry work sites that display an outstanding dedication to worker safety and health. Zia Star sites work to protect their employees from injuries, illnesses, and fatalities by going beyond minimum OSHA standards and implementing comprehensive and effective workplace safety and health management systems. Current Zia Star VPP establishments are listed below.

Establishment NameLocation
Georgia-Pacific Corrugated LLC17 Kitty Hawk Blvd. Santa Teresa, NM 88008
HF Sinclair Asphalt Company LLC2411 N. Freeman, Artesia, NM 88210
NextEra Energy Resources New Mexico Wind, LLC1561 State highway 252 House, NM 88121
NuStar Energy, Central West North Region, New Mexico District6348 State Road 303 SE Albuquerque, NM 87105
Onward Energy – Valencia Power55 Christine Drive, Belen, NM 87002

If you think your establishment qualifies and you want to be part of this exciting program, you can start by downloading and completing the Zia Star VPP Application. If your application is approved, you will receive a notice from the VPP Manager and NM OSHA will set up a thorough on-site evaluation with you.

The basic steps toward becoming a Zia Star worksite are:

  1. Pre-application site visit by New Mexico OSHA
  2. Complete the Zia Star VPP Application We will typically respond to an application within 15 days
  3. On-site evaluation: We will coordinate the onsite evaluation visit within six months of application acceptance. An agenda and Medical Access Order will be sent to your organization 30 days prior to your scheduled evaluation date.
  4. Approval: Once your site has been approved for the Zia Star Voluntary Protection Program, you will receive a letter of approval and NM OSHA will coordinate an awards ceremony
  5. Annual evaluation: NM OSHA will conduct an annual Zia Star evaluation yearly. Click here for the annual evaluation form.
  6. Re-approval evaluation: The worksite must be re-approved every 3-5 years, depending on the industry.

Not sure if your company qualifies? For questions or more information, please contact the Zia Star Coordinator at 505- 476-8700 or via email at NMENV-NewMexicoVPP@state.nm.us.

Alliance agreements

The New Mexico Occupational Health and Safety Bureau’s Alliance agreements provide unions, consulates, trade or professional organizations, faith- and community-based organizations, businesses, and educational institutions an opportunity to participate in a voluntary cooperative relationship with the Bureau to reduce and eliminate occupation-related injuries, illnesses and deaths through training and education, outreach and communication, sharing of expertise, and promoting a dialogue on workplace health and safety. These Alliances have proved to be valuable tools for both the Bureau and Alliance participants. By entering into an Alliance with an entity, the Bureau is not endorsing any products or services, nor does the Bureau enter into an Alliance with the purpose of promoting a particular entity’s products or services. Alliance agreements do not include an enforcement component and participants do not receive an exemption or deferral from OSHA inspections.

New Regulations and Announcements

To keep up to date with latest information from the New Mexico Occupational Health and Safety Bureau click here

Contact us

OHSB Main Phone Number: 505-476-8700

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