At Veolia's complex Port Arthur, TX operation, a team of 250+ processes 27,000+ containers monthly, destroying over 55,000 tons of diverse hazardous materials annually.
It was a proud moment for the Port Arthur team last month when they officially marked nine years without recording a single lost-time incident, an achievement which the team credited to a strong safety culture that has buy-in and support at every level.
“We operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year, and that means we need to have everyone focused and doing their part, from shipping and receiving to scheduling to waste blending to the laboratory, container management, and maintenance and operations,” said Port Arthur General Manager Dietrich Hovener.
The Port Arthur safety achievement amounts to over 4.5 million hours of operation without an employee having an accident or injury that requires them to miss work time.
“I could not be more proud of the dedication and commitment to safety on the part of our outstanding team in Port Arthur,” said Bob Cappadona, President and CEO of the Environmental Solutions and Services business, which oversees the Port Arthur facility.
The facility has one of the highest halogenated waste treatment capabilities in the industry (halogens like chlorine and fluorine are prevalent in corrosive wastes). The waste market and characteristics of the inbound waste are also constantly changing, requiring the team to adapt continuously to manage and process the waste safely. The Port Arthur team also manages highly dangerous materials such as chemicals used in explosives or chemical weapons, ridding the world of these materials safely and permanently.
“At the end of the day, everyone who works here can be proud of the contributions they are making to a better world,” Dietrich said.
Port Arthur Health and Safety Manager Daniel Schofield speaks to employees during an International Health and Safety Week session at the plant
Port Arthur employees celebrate International Health and Safety Week