Managing Safety at Elephant Butte Irrigation District: Delyce Maciel Safety is a key concern for irrigation districts all over the world. With employees working outdoors near swift water and with large equipment, a number of things could go wrong. Delyce Maciel has been serving Elephant Butte Irrigation District (EBID) as the human resources and safety director for 91/2 years and has been successful in reducing the number of serious injuries. In a recent interview, Ms. Maciel discussed EBID’s approach to safety vand how it strives to improve year over year. Kris Polly: Please tell our readers about yourself. Delyce Maciel: I have been involved with human resources and safety for over 25 years. These two areas seem to go hand in hand with smaller organizations. I previously worked with ConAgra Foods, the red chile plant here in Las Cruces for 4 years, and prior to moving to Las Cruces in 2000, I worked with Bechtel, Inc., a worldwide construction company; Wouldenberg Enterprises, Inc., a construction barricade company; and Motorola in Phoenix. On a personal level, I have lived all over the Southwest: Arizona, California, Texas, and now New Mexico. I graduated high school in San Antonio, Texas; finished my bachelor’s degree at the University of Phoenix; and am currently working on my MBA at New Mexico State University. I have a 14-year-old son getting ready to start high school next year, and he likes to tease me about being in college again! We enjoy hanging out together; watching movies; camping; and traveling with our border collie/blue heeler mix, Rex. Kris Polly: Please tell us about your responsibilities for EBID.
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During orientation with new employees, I focus on the safety aspect of their jobs. Safety is everyone’s responsibility, and the managers work with me to make sure sites, facilities, and equipment are all in safe working order. I also manage the workers’ compensation, safety training, and safety manual, and I ensure we are compliant with all OSHA [Occupational Safety and Health Administration] safety regulations. I’m constantly working with managers because they are the ones out in the field on a regular basis. The human resources side of my role keeps me in the office sometimes more than in the field. When I get out to the IRRIGATION LEADER
PHOTOS COURTESY OF ELEPHANT BUTTE IRRIGATION DISTRICT.
Delyce Maciel: I am the human resources and safety director for EBID, and my role as safety director allows me to work with our management team and employees to make our workplace safe. One of the areas I have been working with our managers on is the security of our facilities. After several thefts, we realized we need better security. We have installed cameras and proxy access to buildings, and we will be looking to add security to our outlying facilities. Managing our facilities after hours is important, and we constantly look for areas of improvement. Whenever I get called out, my trusty canine partner, Rex, and I join forces to check out the facilities.
TOP: Delyce Maciel, EBID human resources and safety director. ABOVE: EBID-issued personal protection equipment.
