Safety – Driving to Zero

The recycling industry can be dangerous. That’s why our company culture involves a strict dedication to safety that extends to all parts of our lives – at work and at home – and why we work hard to create and maintain good safety habits.

The leading causes of accidents are:

• Fatigue
• Rushing
• Frustration
• Complacency

Of the items listed above list, complacency is the most dangerous. It happens when we stop being aware of our surroundings, when we start operating on “auto-pilot” mode, and when we stop paying attention to what we are doing.

Complacency is natural. We can easily underestimate risk, especially for tasks we perform regularly; we might not notice changes in our environment; and we can get so used to doing something over and over that we forget to look for potential hazards around us.

So, how does VM + create a safe workplace for our partners and our team?

• We wear our PPE
• We follow safety rules
• We think before we act
• We look out for each other
• We observe our surroundings
• We report near misses so we all can learn from them

We also have a “safety share” policy in place. Safety shares are short stories, reminders, or real-world examples that highlight a specific hazard and act as reminder to always keep our heads on a swivel.

All meetings of three-or-more VM + team members start with a safety share. They’re an essential part of our safety culture.

We’re proud of the safety records of all of our plants – huge accomplishments made possible by our dedication to keeping each other safe from harm.

Learn more about what sets our business apart here, then reach out to discuss implementing your own safety-centric recycling program: here, 214-574-4100, or contact@venturemet.com!