SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

Overview

AGAT Laboratories’ operations encompass multiple scientific divisions to offer full-service solutions to various industry types within the Environmental, Energy, Mining, Industrial, Transportation, Agri-Food and Life Sciences sectors. With a commitment to health, safety, environment and the communities we operate in, AGAT Laboratories recognizes that active participation and support from all employees within the organization is of high importance in the way we conduct our daily business. We are constantly finding new ways to raise the bar and remain leaders in our industry as a result.

At AGAT Laboratories, it’s our commitment to following through on our promises that matters. We have built a foundation for growth relying fully on the energy and expertise of our employees. Our employees are committed to integrity and engaging with our clients at the highest level. AGAT Laboratories is proud of our commitment to sustainability and social responsibility. We believe careful stewardship of the environment and the creation and sharing of social benefits are vital aspects of an effective and credible sustainability practice.

Health and Safety

At AGAT Laboratories, Health and Safety is our number one priority. Our Health and Safety program is a philosophy that is integrated into all aspects of our operations and is constantly reviewed to ensure that all our mandates remain an accurate reflection of the company’s initiatives.

Safety is an intrinsic part in the way we do business. It begins with fostering a culture of personal responsibility and accountability while maintaining a strong focus on safety awareness. AGAT Laboratories is committed to transparent disclosure and continuous improvement. We track and maintain our safety statistics to report and monitor the success of our safety programs.

AGAT Laboratories’ operations conduct all activities in a manner that safeguards the health and safety of our employees, contractors, visitors and the public. All workers share the responsibility to work in a safe manner with equal concern for co-workers and the public.

All levels of management and contractors are responsible and held accountable for providing and maintaining a safe work environment with proper procedures, training, equipment and programs to ensure that work is performed to accepted standards and in compliance with government regulations.

Environment

AGAT Laboratories is dedicated to environmental excellence and promotes awareness and protection of the environment throughout all levels of our operations. We conduct our business in compliance with all applicable environmental laws and regulations.

Our Environmental Management System (ERS) controls the identification, segregation and disposal of waste materials. We also continuously reduce waste output and work with certified waste handling and recycling professionals to ensure all waste is being disposed of in an environmentally responsible manner and in accordance with current environmental regulations.

AGAT Laboratories employs numerous measures to minimize the level of pollutants released to the environment and attempts to recycle as much as possible. We are continuously starting new internal initiatives to identify areas where we can preserve energy and reuse our resources. Long term environmental sustainability is a policy that we follow and continue to pursue.

Community

At AGAT Laboratories, giving back to the communities where we live and work is deeply rooted in our values. Investing in communities is not just the way we do business; it’s a point of pride for our company and something that is very much in the mind-set of our management, and employees.

We extend our support across Canada by monetary and in kind contributions to charities and community projects in our local communities. AGAT Laboratories is committed to build on the success of our initiatives in the communities we operate in.

A Calgary Focus on the Dangers of Opioids and the Fentanyl Crisis

Calgary City Teachers’ Convention 2019

Fentanyl related deaths in Alberta have exploded in recent years and have quickly become a major health crisis, especially for youth. While fentanyl has made headlines, currently there are limited resources available to educate students on both the medical applications and risks when abused as a recreational drug. A presentation was delivered at the Calgary City Teachers’ Convention by a doctor, police detective and clinical professor who provided the medical background and hard facts on fentanyl. They shared first hand experiences of fentanyl use and abuse that they have witnessed in their professional fields. They provided resources available to support teachers in informing students on the dangers of fentanyl and how to help those with addiction.

TEACHER RESOURCES:

• Teachers’ Convention Slide Deck. (PDF Download)
• Teachers’ Convention Opioid Crisis Handout. (PDF Download)
• CRAFFT Screening Interview Form (courtesy of the Center of Adolescent Substance Abuse Research, Children’s Hospital Boston). This form can be used as an interview or self fill out questionnaire to help screen for the warning signs of addiction.
• InformAlberta.ca has a number of links to Alberta adolescent addiction services, search by topic and location.
• Community groups and other organizations can request Crime Prevention Presentations by completing an on-line form here:

  The topics are:

1. Cybercrime Education
2. Drug Awareness (including fentanyl abuse)
3. Graffiti

Canadians helping Canadians advance science and technology across Canada

Vascular Surgery at Sunnybrook Hospital and the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Toronto

Agat Laboratories recently contributed to help fund the research studies of Dr. Robert Maggisano and his colleagues, Dr. Andrew check and Dr. Giuseppe Papia, in vascular and Diabetic limb Saving Centre in Toronto . AGAT Laboratories and John DeSanti, Executive Chairman, will be working closely with Dr. Maggisano to assist with future funding and the creation of a Chair at the university of Toronto for continuing and expanded research. Dr Maggisano’s work over the years has saved many lives and the continuation of this dedication makes for proud association for AGAT Laboratories.

Their mission

Sunnybrook vascular surgeons have become Canadian leaders in vascular care, and in particular Endovascular therapies. They are transforming vascular care in Canada and making a difference now.

Our efforts have been the catalyst in securing the University of Toronto/Sunnybrook endowed chair in vascular surgery for Dr. Maggisano, so that he could continue with the development, evaluation, and education of less invasive image-guided vascular interventions. He has now partnered with the Sunnybrook Schulich programme’s cardiologists and cardiac surgeons, to capitalize on synergies and extend his vision of expanding the infrastructure, research, and educational activities to position the Sunnybrook Vascular group as a recognized leader internationally.

Here is a picture taken during the Toronto West Golf Tournament, benefiting vascular surgery at Sunnybrook Hospital and the facility of medecine at the University of Toronto.

(In the middle: John Desanti, Executive Chairman, AGAT Laboratories)

(Certificate of Appreciation)

Vascular and Diabetic Limb Saving Centre

The Problem

Patients with chronic diabetes or advanced vascular disease can develop painful leg ulcers and even with treatment 40% still progress to requiring major amputation. Diabetes affects almost 10% of the population of Ontario and is rising. Complications of diabetes will affect tens of thousands of Ontarians yearly. There are over 2000 amputations per year in Ontario due to diabetes, all of which result in significant disability, decreased quality of life and cost to both the patient and the system. With increasing rates of diabetes, the number of patients suffering amputations per year will increase by 50% over the next 20 years.

What’s wrong with the care currently available?

To prevent major amputations a combination of treatments is needed. Early recognition and coordinated treatment with multiple types of therapy including medications, wound care, and potentially rebuilding damaged arteries with stents or surgery are all required. Unfortunately, because these treatments are traditionally delivered by a variety of specialists in different physical locations at different times, getting the timing of coordinating treatment right is very difficult. The result is unnecessary admissions to hospital, or even amputation. An enormous burden falls to patients to self-diagnose, research and manage their own care.

What can we do about it?

The team at Sunnybrook has already achieved local, provincial and national recognition for their work in this area utilizing existing infrastructure. Current demand is outstripping their capacity.

They want to create a single outpatient centre outside of the hospital where all testing, physician appointments and treatments will occur. Their mission is to provide care that is complete, cutting edge, innovative and convenient for patients to access. The centre will promote early detection and diagnosis of wounds and aggressive treatments, which will reduce the rate of amputation from 40% to 5%. It’s like a cancer centre for patients facing amputation, and although there are some in Europe and the United States, none exist in Canada. The support of the public is critical as they continue working with our community and ministry partners to build the centre.