Safety And Environment

Maple Leaf is committed to environmental responsibility everywhere we do business. We maintain a robust, comprehensive Environmental Program designed to continuously seek ways to reduce our impact on the environment.

We pride ourselves on strong environmental compliance related to our manufacturing facilities.

The Environment, Health and Safety Committee of the Board oversees our performance and meetings are held at least three times per year. The President of each business unit is responsible for sound environmental management and many conduct monthly environmental meetings.

Our Vice President of Environmental Affairs has overseen the completion of over 400 environmental projects at various facilities covering areas such as air emissions, waste water control and waste management and reduction in the past three years. Maple Leaf Foods is also actively engaged in reducing its energy and water consumption, having reduced its energy consumption by more than 23% since 2001.

Maple Leaf Foods also participates in the American Meat Institute (AMI) environmental recognition program. Two of its facilities, Rothsay in Dundas, Ontario and Maple Leaf Consumer Foods in Brandon, Manitoba have received Tier 2 environmental awards from the AMI and Maple Leaf Consumer Foods in Kitchener, Ontario received a Tier 1 award.

Maple Leaf is currently actively engaged in customer environmental initiatives and the Carbon Disclosure Project, which is sponsored by a consortium of investors and designed to understand corporations’ greenhouse gases management strategies.

Our Environmental Commitment

Maple Leaf Foods, a major Canadian and global food products company, has an organizational commitment to responsible and sustainable growth. We believe that minimizing the environmental impact of our activities, while providing quality products that meet the needs of consumers, is fundamental to the successful growth of our business and to the general welfare of communities in which we operate.

In support of our commitment, Maple Leaf Foods and its subsidiaries will:

• Assure sound environmental management by requiring visible leadership and accountability at all levels of our organization.
• Require our operations to meet or exceed applicable laws and regulations, company commitments and standards.
• Educate our employees on the environmental policy and environmental protection principles.
• Seek ways to continuously improve discharges to land, water and air, conserve resources, and recycle and reuse materials
• Set and monitor environmental performance goals throughout the organization.
• Include environmental matters in strategic planning, including changes or additions to operations.
• Work with the communities in which we operate and all levels of government to ensure that management and employees are sensitive and responsive to local environmental concerns.
• Regularly review to update our environmental commitment and programs

Protecting our natural environment is everyone’s responsibility and must be part of how we conduct our business. Each one of us needs to do our part to ensure Maple Leaf Foods meets that challenge.

To learn more about Our Environmental Commitment, click here.

Health & Safety

Maple Leaf Foods is dedicated to the elimination of occupational injuries in all of our facilities. While a challenging goal, it is something we strive for every day.

We track all reportable injuries, the most stringent industry standard which compiles statistics on any injury where a physician is consulted. Our average is significantly better than the industry as a whole. Our commitment to Health and Safety has resulted in a 35% improvement in reportable injuries and a 55% improvement in lost time due to injury since 2003.

The Environment, Health and Safety Committee of the Board of Directors oversees performance and receives reports at least three times each year. These reports cover both injury frequency for all operations and measurable improvements in Occupational Health and Safety management systems.

Maple Leaf Foods employees are our greatest asset. We are committed to providing high standards of recruiting, ongoing training, and protective equipment to provide the safest possible working environment for our people. There are currently 18 employees with a professional Health and Safety designation at Maple Leaf. We fully support, and encourage, continuing education and, as a result the number of employees with a professional designation grows every year.

No injury is acceptable and we place a lot of emphasis on training and supervision. Comprehensive training on, and enforcement of, policies and procedures for both supervisory and hourly employees is the backbone of our program. Along with many other training programs we have developed a comprehensive hazard recognition and control program, which is offered to supervisors and Joint Health & Safety Committee members. Over 2000 employees have received this training since its inception in 2003. The training is offered several times a year in all regions.