OCEANSIDE — Every weekday employees of a local recycling center work in a potentially hazardous environment in which they deal with heavy machinery, incoming trucks and even the public.

Despite the many dangers present in their jobs, the employees of Waste Management of North County’s Recycling Center have gone a record 1,200 days without a lost time injury. That’s more than three years without a serious accident.

The facility’s prior record lasted 456 days, said recycling manager Lori Somers. However, the amount of days was not tracked before 2001.

Sarah Huoh, the spokeswoman for Waste Management of North County and its recycling center, said the feat is quite an accomplishment for the center’s six employees. She said the company celebrated the record on Feb.1.

“To go this length of time with all of the variables they deal with in their jobs every day is a testament to their ability to do their job in a safe manner,” Huoh said.

The center receives recyclables collected in the field and directly from the public, as well as electronics and household hazardous waste unfit for garbage collection. These items include paint, medicines and household cleaners. The facility also deals with incoming and outgoing trucks delivering and shipping recyclable items to and from the center.

The center takes in nearly 2,400 tons of recyclables a month, Somers said.

All employees go through extensive safety training and participate in ongoing safety programs to encourage cautious behavior. Protective gear — gloves, hard hats and safety vests are — provided to all employees, Huoh said.

Another way Waste Management ensures the safety of its employees is through “Life Critical Rules,” the top 10 safety mandates of the company. Mandates include always wearing a seat belt in a vehicle, never exceeding the speed limit and never modifying or disabling safety devices on equipment.

Huoh said employees must wear protective footwear at the 1.2-acre, open-air site.

As employees operated forklifts, bailing machines and a gargantuan compactor, Feb.6, Leopoldo Curiel said he is proud of the facility’s new record. An employee of Waste Management for almost 17 years, Curiel serves as the recycling operation’s lead man.

“I think it’s good,” Curiel said. “It’s everybody’s responsibility.”

Somers said she is impressed with her workers’ cautious habits, stressing that they always look out for each other.

“They have worked quite a while together, and being a small group they watch out for each other,” Somers said. “I’m very proud of this accomplishment for them.”

In addition to ensuring that work continues uninterrupted, the company also strives to protect its employees from injuries such as strained backs and heat stroke.

“First of all we want them to go home as safe as they came,” Somers said. “There is a big emphasis on taking away those variables so [they] don’t get injured.”