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PHOENIX, March 2, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Republic Services, Inc. (NYSE: RSG) celebrated its industry leading safety program today by hosting its first national championship truck ROAD-EO competition, a rigorous skills competition for Republic's top drivers and technicians from across the country. The competition involves a series of driving and diagnostic tests in challenging scenarios, in order to determine national champions in five distinct categories.
"Safety is at the center of everything we do," said Don Slager, president and chief executive officer. "We recruit the best drivers with the strongest safety records and talented technicians with outstanding mechanical knowledge. Every day, these men and women are responsible for maintaining highly engineered, sophisticated pieces of heavy equipment in order to provide total reliability while safely navigating through our neighborhoods, serving our 14 million customers and collecting over 5 million tons of recycling and waste materials. What better way to celebrate our commitment to safety than by having our best drivers and technicians showcase their skills and really find out who's the best-of-the-best."
The driving competition involves 40 drivers who earned the opportunity to compete in the National Championship by winning their respective local competitions. These top drivers are competing in one of four truck categories: Front Load, Side Load, Roll-Off and Rear Load. The competition consists of seven timed challenges that replicate the obstacles that drivers experience on their routes, from backing up in a narrow alleyway to navigating tight turns.
The technician competition involves 10 technicians from around the country who also won their respective local competitions. Their competition consists of diagnostic tests on a Roll-Off truck, where competitors are challenged with identifying 10 vehicle problems in an allotted amount of time.
In addition to bragging rights with their friends and fellow drivers and technicians, the first and second place winners in each of their respective categories will receive a cash award, additional paid time-off, and other special gifts and amenities.
Republic has been steadily building on its industry-leading safety program, beginning with a 42 percent better safety performance record than the industry average, based on Occupational Safety and Health Administration data, over the past eight years. Since 2009, Republic drivers have won 18 of the 24 National Waste & Recycling Association "Driver of the Year" awards. In addition, last year, over 12,000 employees earned Republic's Dedicated to Safety Award, and more than 5,000 employees received Republic's Dedicated to Excellence recognition.
About Republic Services
Republic Services, Inc. is an industry leader in U.S. recycling and non-hazardous solid waste. Through its subsidiaries, Republic's collection companies, recycling centers, transfer stations and landfills focus on providing effective solutions to make proper waste disposal effortless for its 14 million customers. We'll handle it from here.TM, the brand's promise, lets customers know they can count on Republic to provide a superior experience while fostering a sustainable Blue PlanetTM for future generations to enjoy a cleaner, safer and healthier world.
For more information, visit the Republic Services website at RepublicServices.com. "Like" Republic on Facebook at www.facebook.com/RepublicServices and follow on Twitter @RepublicService.
SOURCE Republic Services, Inc.