Regional Waste Systems Awarded for Safety by American Red Cross

RWS Receives 'Industrial Safety' Hero Award for 2000

PORTLAND, Maine (March 24, 2000) á Regional Waste Systems, Inc., received a Real Hero Award this week from the American Red Cross for establishing a successful health and safety program at its facility.

RWS received the Industrial Safety Award as part of the second annual American Red Cross Real Heroes Award banquet March 22 in Portland. The awards program honored individuals, organizations and businesses who best exemplify the mission of the Red Cross á teaching people to save lives by helping them prevent, prepare for, and respond to emergencies.

Charles E. Foshay, the general manager at RWS, and members of the company's Safety Committee accepted the award on behalf of the non-profit solid waste management corporation which is owned and operated by the 21 municipalities it serves.

"We're honored that our efforts were recognized by the American Red Cross, which is a great organization and has done much in the region to promote safety," said Foshay.

RWS was nominated for the award by Rod Stanley of the Maine Employees Mutual Insurance Company (MEMIC). RWS has reduced worker's compensation claims, work-related injuries and illnesses due in part to its implementation of an extensive health and safety program for all employees. The effort also included the designation of an in-house safety manager, development of an active safety committee and major improvements to the automated equipment used in its recycling operation.

RWS was among the 12 winners of the 32 individuals, organizations and businesses nominated for extraordinary acts of altruism, kindness, heroism and compassion during 1999.

RWS handles the solid waste management needs of its 21 owner communities and also serves 10 associate members in southern Maine. It is owned and controlled by its member municipalities. The waste transported to the facility, located on Blueberry Road off Outer Congress Street in Portland, is incinerated to create energy. RWS also has an extensive recycling program, with more than 100 drop off recycling containers set up in more than 60 locations, the largest municipal program in the state.

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