National Safety Month, established by the National Safety Council in 1996, is a month-long observance dedicated to promoting workplace safety. Its goal is to raise awareness about health and safety risks while educating workers on best practices and preventive measures to create safer work environments.
At Federal Recycling & Waste Solutions, our employees are our greatest asset in ensuring a safe workplace. Our dedication to health and safety is reflected in our standardized safety programs, continuous training efforts, and the notable advancements we’ve achieved in our plant safety performance. In 2024, we introduced a new plant-wide initiative, Safe Actions for a Strong Future, to empower our employees to act as safety ambassadors to improve hazard recognition and take proactive steps in preventing workplace injuries.
Read below how Federal Recycling is fostering a culture of safety through employee-led initiatives and a shared commitment to keeping every team member safe on the job.
Empowering Safety with RFID Technology
In the winter of 2024, Federal Recycling implemented Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) safety vests and technology in all eight plant locations. This technology created a detection area on our baler and shredder conveyors, initiating an emergency machine shutdown should an employee wearing an RFID vest be detected within the range. This personal protection equipment (PPE) allows our employees to work safely on our equipment with the necessary gear to reduce the risk of injury and perform their tasks with confidence and peace of mind.
The use of these vests not only supports our continuous improvement in safety performance but also enhances our commitment to leveraging technology to prevent workplace incidents. This RFID technology has become a natural part of our daily operations, enhancing the overall sense of safety throughout our facilities.
“Implementing RFID safety vests across all our facilities has been a game changer. This technology adds a critical layer of protection for our team, especially around equipment such as balers and shredders,” said Tim Bebout, VP of Operational Excellence. “It’s become a seamless part of our operations and reflects our ongoing commitment to using smart solutions to keep our people safe every day.”
Safety Luncheon: A Companywide Celebration
On Friday, June 20th, Federal Recycling paused all operations at every facility from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. to host a company-wide Safety Focus Luncheon—an initiative aimed at reinforcing our ongoing commitment to workplace safety and employee well-being, and reminding all team members safety is a shared responsibility and core company value.
During the luncheon, teams across all plants gathered for food, conversation, and a bit of friendly competition. Our General Managers took the lead by hosting an interactive trivia game focusing on key safety protocols and best practices. The questions were designed to engage employees while reinforcing important topics such as proper equipment handling and overall safety measures.
“The Safety Focus luncheon was more than just a break from the day – it was a chance to come together as a team and refocus on what matters most: keeping each other safe,” Tim stated. “Events like this reinforce that safety isn’t just a set of rules – it’s a mindset and a shared responsibility that’s central to how we operate every day.”
Recognizing Excellence: 2024 Plant Safety Award Winners
Each year, Federal Recycling awards the plant facilities that demonstrate an outstanding dedication to fostering a safe and positive work environment, highlighted by achieving zero recordable incidents for the entire year. This year, a recording-breaking six plants – St. Louis, Columbus, Denver, Houston, Harrisburg and San Antonio – received the Safety Award. Of these six plants, five of them have gone two or more years without a recordable.
These teams demonstrated a strong commitment to safety excellence through proactive involvement, shared accountability, and alignment with our core values. Our strong safety performance has resulted in significant cost savings through our insurance captive—enabling us to reinvest in tools, training, and employee recognition to further strengthen our safety program.
Looking Ahead: Safe Actions for a Strong Future
As we look ahead to the future, we continue to keep safety at the forefront of our daily operations. To continue building upon our strong safety performance, we introduced a new safety initiative – Safe Actions for a Strong Future. Established in December 2024, this program focuses on proactive risk mitigation, cross-functional safety audits, and peer-to-peer accountability.
Through monthly safety topics, hands-on workshops, and real-time feedback loops, the initiative empowers employees to identify potential hazards before they escalate and to take ownership of creating a safer, more resilient workplace.
“It’s another step forward in reinforcing safety is not just a protocol,” Tim said. “It’s a mindset we carry into every shift, every decision, every day.”
