Strategic Workforce Management: Prioritizing Safety and Quality for Operational Excellence

As seen in Waste Advantage – November 2023

What is one thing material recovery facilities (MRFs), plastic recovery facilities (PRFs), and polymer sites have in common? Each needs a safe and reliable workforce to keep their facilities running. Staffing these sites is a pivotal challenge in the waste and recycling industry. The hurdle extends beyond simply providing people. Sites need qualified crews who prioritize safety and are performance driven to deliver a high-quality product.

Recycling operations pose numerous safety risks. The task of sorting materials is physically demanding and recycling work environments expose employees to various workplace hazards. Sites require industry expertise and a comprehensive safety culture. Neglecting to recruit and retain the right employees, provide proper training, and prioritize safety can lead to escalated costs, increased inefficiencies, and elevated contamination rates.

MRFs, PRFs, and polymer sites make money by processing recyclable materials and selling them to manufacturers who redevelop the material into new products. The implications of contaminated end-products are costly and detrimental to the operating performance of the facility and relationships with end-markets. Recycling facilities processing these materials must ensure that their people, processes, and equipment consistently yield high-quality materials that meet the specifications of end users.

What strategies can facilities employ to enhance product quality and foster a safety-conscious culture? One solution is to partner with an industry-seasoned workforce provider that focuses on performance. Such a partner can supply a dedicated full-time workforce, incorporate on-site management, and work in conjunction with the facility to optimize productivity, safety, and material quality. This approach differs from traditional temp-staffing agencies, as it offers the specialized expertise needed to achieve tangible results.

Expertise in Action

In 2000, Leadpoint Business Services started by providing sorters and other general laborers to MRFs. Over the years, Leadpoint has become the leading workforce solution provider across the waste and recycling ecosystem, supporting MRFs, PRFs, and polymer sites across the United States. The company offers expertise in:

• recruiting
• training and retention
• onsite performance management
• recycling process optimization
• safety and risk management

Leadpoint leverages its extensive experience and expertise to provide customized support, consultation, and resources that align with clients’ sites and specific goals. Partnering with Leadpoint guarantees workforce stability, enhanced safety, and improved product quality, all while improving profitability and establishing a meaningful relationship with a trusted partner.

Let’s delve into examples to examine the benefits.

Safety

At Leadpoint, safety takes center stage, as exemplified by the company’s industry-tailored safety programs and training initiatives. These efforts ensure compliance and significantly reduce risks for both employees and customers. At the heart of Leadpoint’s corporate philosophy is “LiveSafe,” which revolves around the core principles of safety prioritization: Safety First, See Something? Say Something, Follow the Rules, and Teamwork. Leadpoint collaborates closely with each client to make safety a top priority.

In Fort Pierce, Florida, Leadpoint began working with St. Lucie County Solid Waste Baling & Recycling Facility in 2020. One of the site’s main goals in working with a specialized labor partner was to create a best-in-class safety culture that went beyond physical safety.

In the first year of operations at St. Lucie, Leadpoint’s site management prioritized numerous safety protocols, emphasizing respect and accountability. Leading by example was a fundamental principle: setting clear expectations, instilling Leadpoint’s LiveSafe philosophy, and holding individuals accountable.

Leadpoint successfully integrated multiple safety programs into the site’s culture during this period including:

1. Pre-hire safety training and assessment for new associates: New employees watch a safety introduction video and are given a site tour during the interview process, covering basic MRF safety and emergency procedures. Candidates participate in a skills assessment to evaluate their suitability for the job.
2. Daily tailgate talks and weekly safety calls: Each shift begins with a safety meeting, discussing the day’s safety topic, stretching, operational updates, and site performance reviews to encourage engagement.
3. Weekly observation behavior assessments: Managers, leads, and supervisors initiate positive safety dialogues with employees to enhance workplace safety.
   Rebecca Olson, St. Lucie’s Assistant Director of Public Utilities and Solid Waste, shared:
   “Creating a culture of safety was a main motivator of ours in seeking a specialized labor workforce. Within the first year of working with Leadpoint, we saw a significant reduction in safety incidents with 42% fewer accidents/incidents. We also noticed a shift towards the safety culture we wanted to cultivate and a dramatic difference in our employees.”

Rebecca Olson, St. Lucie’s Assistant Director of Public Utilities and Solid Waste, shared:

“Creating a culture of safety was a main motivator of ours in seeking a specialized labor workforce. Within the first year of working with Leadpoint, we saw a significant reduction in safety incidents with 42% fewer accidents/incidents. We also noticed a shift towards the safety culture we wanted to cultivate and a dramatic difference in our employees.”

Quality Management

A prime demonstration of Leadpoint’s expertise is its enduring partnership with WM’s Spokane, WA, MRF since 2014.

In 2020, WM Spokane operated a single-stream system under the control of a Waste MM system operator. Leadpoint provided support for the sorting labor at the site. However, at the time, they did not engage with the system operator regarding speed or system settings.

Efficiently operating the system is vital for effective material sorting. Minor adjustments, such as belt speed, burden depth, and screen incline must be closely monitored. Regular observations and metrics guide system operations in optimizing belt settings for easier sorting and improved material separation.

Leadpoint saw an opportunity and proposed a collaborative approach, allowing Leadpoint to consult on the management of the system on a trial basis. Leveraging Leadpoint’s understanding of workforce intricacies and operating system expertise had the potential to enhance sorting efficiency and productivity.

The trial proved successful.

Precise and ongoing adjustments were made to the operating system, ensuring appropriate material flow and separation. The line was also able to adapt as needed to ensure a high-quality product for WM. Further, downtime was minimized, resulting in a higher output and improved tons per hour.

This enduring partnership has become the standard practice, resulting in a more efficient operation of the single-stream system. It highlights the effectiveness of collaboration and allows the customer to focus on higher-level priorities, reassured that a reliable partner is working to enhance performance.

Doug Vermillion, District Manager of Waste Management, reflected:

“Throughout our nine-year partnership, Leadpoint has consistently adapted to our evolving needs. From adjusting production schedules to handling increased material flow or swiftly filling crucial positions, Leadpoint ensures seamless MRF operations. Leadpoint understands our key performance indicators and the direct influence of their work on the quality of our end products and overall profitability. Our partnership is characterized by mutual commitment, transparency, and trust, allowing us to focus on higher-level responsibilities.”

The Right Solution

When considering a collaboration with a workforce partner, it is essential to evaluate your site’s goals. If your objectives are to cultivate a safety-oriented culture, secure a reliable, safe and performance driven workforce, and leverage expertise in waste and recycling, teaming up with a specialized industry workforce provider may be the perfect match.