<< [Back to News Releases]

SAFETY IS FIRST PRIORITY AT REPUBLIC SERVICES-

Company Launches 101 Days of Summer Safety-Awareness Program

PHOENIX-June 5, 2009-Republic Services, Inc. (NYSE:RSG) launched its 101 Days of Summer safety campaign to raise the level of awareness toward safety from Memorial Day to Labor Day.

Historically, the solid waste industry has seen an increase in employee injuries and vehicular accidents during the summer season.  This increase is due in part to higher temperature/humidity, increased pedestrian traffic, children out of school and increased motor vehicle traffic.  Republic Services has been able to eliminate this trend through its 101 Days of Summer safety campaign. 

“While the campaign is directed toward our drivers, these safety tips can apply to every person who drives,” said Shawn Mandel, Republic safety manager. “Driving a garbage truck is a very physically demanding job and we are compelled to do everything we can to protect the health and welfare of both our employees and the people we serve.”

Each Republic division developed a division-specific summer safety plan and will track their progress by displaying a 101 Days of Summer banner that counts down the days of summer safety.  On-going training sessions and the banner reinforce the program’s goal of raising employee awareness about safety and provides information to prevent summer-related incidents. The banner lists these safety tips:

• Drink plenty of water
• Watch for children
• Always use your helper when backing
• Always drive defensively
• Always wear your seatbelt
• Do not use your cell phone while driving
• Always wear your high visibility vest.

The 101 Days of Summer program is followed throughout the entire organization, from the operating units to the corporate office.  The Corporate Safety department posts its own banner and records all serious accidents throughout the organization.

Republic Services, Inc.

Republic Services, Inc. has been building on success since its inception in 1998, becoming an industry-leading provider of waste and environmental services. The company provides trash collection services to commercial, industrial, municipal and residential customers in 40 states and Puerto Rico through its 400 collection companies. Republic Services owns or operates 242 transfer stations, 213 solid waste landfills and 78 recycling facilities. The company is headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona and has more than 34,000 employees. For more information, visit the Republic Services web site at www.republicservices.com.

###