Safety

At Waste Management, safety is far more than just a program or strategy. It is a core value. It is a cornerstone of operational excellence. It is a philosophy embedded in the way we work, the decisions we make and the actions we take.

We set the highest standards for protecting our employees, our communities and our customers. Our goal is to attain world-class safety and, more important, to be the safest company in our industry. That means zero tolerance for unsafe conditions, unsafe equipment, and unsafe actions, decisions and attitudes.

Mission to Zero or, M2Z as it's commonly referred to, was initiated in 2001. It means zero tolerance for unsafe actions, unsafe decisions, unsafe conditions, unsafe equipment and unsafe attitudes. However, M2Z isn't just a safety program, it's a broad-based operational excellence strategy.

A key component of M2Z is Safety Certification Training, which provides classroom instruction in safety fundamentals for supervisors, drivers and helpers. M2Z seeks to enhance understanding, change behaviours and develop company leaders who can make a difference and train and lead others. The program does not seek to find fault or punish people. It's about being hard on facts and easy on people.

Safety Policy

Safety is essential at Waste Management. Each of us has the responsibility to make the safety of ourselves, our co-workers, our customers and members of the public a primary concern. This objective is fundamental to our well being, as well as to the efficient operation of our business.

The key elements of a safe and healthful working environment are management commitment, a knowledgeable supervisory staff, involved safety leadership and conscientious employees. It is critical for each employee to be dedicated to the principle that all incidents and accidents are preventable and that safety is an integral part of the planning and efficient execution of each job.

Management recognizes its responsibility to provide safe and healthful working conditions, safe work procedures and rules based upon experience and safety knowledge and competent work direction for our employees.

Every employee has the responsibility to prevent accidents and injuries by observing established working rules, following the directions of supervisors, practicing the principles taught in safety training and providing ideas so our safety and health efforts will be further strengthened. Waste Management and its employees have the responsibility to comply with all laws and regulations related to safety and health programs. An effective safety and health program extends beyond normal working hours and, accordingly, safety for employees and their families off the job activities is encouraged.

At Waste Management, we do not consider any phase of our operations of greater importance than the safety of our employees, our customers and the general public.