Safety is priority one at Municipal Services. Employees are well trained in safety routines that apply to their positions, as well as general safety for both work and home.
"Tailgate" safety meetings are held a minimum of every ten working days on topics related to each division’s specific safety concerns. In addition a timely safety topic is selected for presentation at a monthly multi-division safety meeting.
The Municipal Services Safety Committee meets on a monthly basis to review accidents from the previous month. The committee is composed of carefully selected employees who have expressed a strong interest in safety. They also evaluate and make recommendations on employees nominated for recognition for outstanding achievements. The proposed topic for the monthly multi-divisional safety meeting is selected and discussed. Each safety committee member carries back information to the division level. The safety committee chair acts as a liaison to management and is the person responsible for safety matters within the Municipal Services area.
All Municipal Services employees are offered certification in CPR and Basic First Aid by an in-house certified Red Cross Instructor. Regular safety inspections are held throughout the Municipal Services area. The inspection includes checks of fire extinguishers, first aid kits and eyewash stations as well as vehicles and facilities.
The heart of the safety program at Municipal Services is the “Safety Buck” program. Safety Committee members and supervisors are encouraged to “catch employees doing something right” in the area of safety and to reward them with a safety buck. Employees also receive a “safety buck” valued at $1.00 when they work one hundred days without a lost time injury. The program is very popular and the positive reinforcement given workers has dramatically reduced injuries. Divisional safety days are kept by all divisions and significant milestones are rewarded with a picnic or barbecue.
