Company: CLH
Filing Date: 2025-02-19
Form Type: 10-K
Source: 0000822818-25-000007
Chunk: 274

Company: CLEAN HARBORS INC
Filing Date: 2025-02-19
Form: 10-K
Item: Item 1A
Chunk 274
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ITEM 1A.    RISK FACTORS

An investment in our securities involves certain risks, including those described below. One should carefully consider these risk factors together with all of the information included or incorporated by reference in this report before investing in our securities. The risks described below are not intended to be exhaustive and are not the only risks that we face. Additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to us or that we currently deem immaterial also may impair our business and the market price of our common stock. See the section titled “Disclosure Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” for more information.

OPERATIONAL RISKS

Our businesses are subject to operational and safety risks. Failure to limit our exposure to such risks could have an adverse impact on our results.

Providing our suite of services to our customers and operating our facilities involves risks such as equipment defects, malfunctions and failures and natural or man-made disasters, which could potentially result in releases of hazardous materials, damage to or total loss of our property or assets, injury or death of our employees, subcontractors or others, reduced perceived value of our brand or damage to our reputation, or a need to shut down or reduce operation of our facilities while remedial actions are undertaken. Our employees and subcontractors, when necessary, often work under potentially hazardous conditions. These risks expose us to potential liability for pollution and other environmental damages, personal injury, loss of life, business interruption and property damage or destruction. We must also maintain a solid safety record in order to remain a preferred supplier to our major customers and protect the value of our brand in the marketplace. While we seek to minimize our exposure to such risks primarily through (i) comprehensive training programs, (ii) utilizing proper equipment and the latest technologies, (iii) our Environmental Compliance Internal Audit Program, (iv) vehicle and equipment maintenance programs, (v) subcontracting with reputable third-parties, (vi) industrial control systems and (vii) insurance, such actions and insurance may not be adequate to cover all of our potential liabilities which could negatively impact our results of operations and cash flows. 

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Our operations are increasingly dependent upon technology. Failure of these technologies, failure to upgrade or innovate these technologies or failure to identify and develop new technologies could have an adverse impact on our results.

Our information technology systems are critical to our operations, customer experience and financial reporting. Malfunctions of these technologies, including disruptions due to natural or man-made disasters (e.g., terrorism), could interrupt operations, create incremental operational and