Environmental Health & Safety

ALS Environmental is committed to providing a safe and healthy work environment for its employees.

It is the policy of ALS Environmental to conduct all laboratory, field operations and office functions using safe work practices and to ensure the company is in compliance with applicable client-specific and local, state and federal regulations pertaining to safety, health and waste disposal. Each facility maintains a site-specific health and safety manual attesting to that rigorous compliance. Copies of these manuals are available upon request.

Employee Safety Training

Our employees participate in ongoing safety training and apply that learning in day-to-day activities.

Employee training includes a safety orientation and reoccurring training though intranet-based modules, outside seminars, employee-led training and vendor sponsored seminars.

Company developed training modules include:

• Hazard communication, laboratory standards and right to know
• Waste Management
• Spill control
• Compressed gasses
• Fume hood safety
• Ergonomics
• Fire safety
• Respirator training
• Defensive driving
• Dangerous goods shipping
• Signs & symptoms of chemical exposure
• Injury & illness prevention
• Glassware handling

Safety Testing

As part of or required safety training, each training module contains an exam that all employees are required to complete and must receive a passing grade of 80 percent or higher. Retraining and testing is mandatory until a passing score is achieved.

Annual air monitoring is performed at all laboratories ensuring employee exposure to methylene chloride does not exceed the OSHA Action Level for Permissible Exposure Limits.

Each laboratory maintains a detailed environmental health and safety training module. The manual includes the following sections:

• ALS Environmental statement of policy
• Accident prevention plan
• General laboratory safety procedures
• Chemical handling
• Handling compressed gasses
• Laboratory waste management procedures
• Waste disposal procedures
• Chemical exposure monitoring
• Emergency response plan
• Evacuation plan
• Medical surveillance program

Safety Incentive Program

To promote and encourage safety in the workplace, ALS Environmental has developed an incentive program that rewards not only past accident-free days, but places great emphasis on participative employee involvement. It is only through employee participation and awareness that potential unsafe conditions and at-risk behaviors can be identified before accidents occur. Highlights of the program include:

• Safety committee membership
• Monthly inspections
• Teaching a safety-related 'brown bag' session
• Writing a safety related article for monthly newsletter
• Attending a minimum of 10 hours of safety-related training each year
• Safety suggestion process
• Annual safety audit

Employees earn points for working safely but more points are earned through active participation. The more points earned the greater chance to earn cash and prizes.