'Our executive leadership team is fully committed to ensure that everyone gets home safely' says CEO
In the latest recording of COS TV, QM Environmental’s CEO, Agnes Wietrzynski, and Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) Director, Chad Ralph expanded on the company’s award-winning safety culture. The conversation focused on what sets QM Environmental apart and the concrete steps the organization takes to ensure the well-being of its employees.
From the outset, Agnes Wietrzynski made it clear that safety is not just a box to check at QM Environmental—it is a core value deeply woven into the fabric of the company’s operations. “Safety is embedded in our corporate values. Our executive leadership team is fully committed to ensure that everyone gets home safely,” Wietrzynski stated. She explained this commitment is demonstrated through robust policies and procedures, as well as a dedicated and focused field staff. Importantly, employees are empowered to make decisions and take actions that prioritize safety, which Wietrzynski identified as the most critical element in their approach.
Wietrzynski elaborated on the role of senior leadership in supporting safety beyond regulatory compliance. “We’ve created a psychologically safe environment for our employees to help identify and report any risks in the field,” she said. By fostering open communication and trust, QM Environmental ensures that employees feel comfortable raising concerns and taking proactive steps to mitigate hazards. This empowerment is especially vital in high-risk projects, where the stakes are highest and the margin for error is smallest.
Ralph reinforced this message, describing how “safety without compromise” is more than just a slogan at QM Environmental—it is the foundation of every project. “The single most important thing anyone can do on our sites is go home in one piece,” Ralph said. He described a rigorous process that begins with high-level risk assessments and drills down to field-level protocols tailored to each specific job. “Each and every project begins with a series of risk assessments from a high level, then zeroing in on a field level where safety protocols are tailored to each job,” he explained.
A key differentiator for QM Environmental is the involvement of every team member in the risk assessment process. “Every member of the team is involved in the development of the risk assessments, beginning from the very award right down to the very field in the moment,” Ralph noted. Workers are required to write field-level hazard risk assessments daily, ensuring that safety considerations are always top of mind. Formal risk assessments are embedded in all job procedures, and high-risk projects are supported by dedicated safety representatives and coordinators who provide full-time oversight and support.
The conversation concluded with a reminder from Mercer about the importance of planning and staying informed. “Fail to plan, plan to fail,” he remarked, underscoring the proactive approach that defines QM Environmental’s safety culture.
