Weekly Toolbox Talk: Essential Business

Construction work is considered and essential business, as our industry is responsible for keeping, highways, office buildings, hospitals, chemical plants, schools, churches, arenas and shopping centers. As the situation keeps developing, we will continue to review all official government orders and updates. Your supervisor will advise you on the specifics in your location as new information becomes available.

Jobsite Safety Guidelines

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
• Use hand sanitizer that contains at least 60 percent alcohol.
• Wash hands when taking gloves off/putting back on, after using the restroom, before/after break, and before/after eating lunch.
• Maintain your PPE clean, wash your gloves, sleeves and vest separate from your other cloths at home to avoid cross contamination.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
• Limit elevator usage when occupied with multiple people. Use stairs when possible.
• No visitors should be at the jobsites, unless fundamental to the execution of the work. 
• Water bottles are the only approved method for drinking water, disposed them properly after one-time use, do not refill.
• Stay updated with Marek communications (text, social platforms, TBTs, and publications). 
• Always keep social distance of 6ft.
• If you feel sick or have COVID-19 related symptoms inform your supervisor, stay home and seek medical attention as needed.
• Continue to wear a respirator or mask if required for your jobsite task or as directed by specific jobsite requirements.
• If someone informs you that they are experiencing symptoms, inform your supervisor.
• If close contact occurs with a sick person or a family member at home is sick with COVID-19 stay self-quarantine for 14 days and inform your supervisor

Prevention Safety Guidelines

• Stay home when you are sick.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash. If you do not have a tissue, cough into the inside of your elbow, covering your mouth and nose.
• Get plenty of rest, drink plenty of fluids, eat healthy foods, and manage your stress to keep your immunity strong.
• Limit all person to person contact.
• Continue to practice Social Distancing 6ft part from everyone and avoid close contact (3 minutes or less).

When am I required to wear a respirator/mask?

Just like you have in the past, continue to wear a respirator or mask as required for your jobsite task according to MAREK safety guidelines and per your MAREK safety training or as directed by specific jobsite requirements. Bandanas, surgical mask, or any type of material not approved by the safety department is not to be worn.

There is a shortage of respirators/facemasks and as manufacturers make more these masks are being delivered to hospitals as first priority. If you are attempting to find a mask for personal use, please be aware people may try to sell masks online which may or may not protect you. Continue to educate yourself and seek information from trusted sources.

As of Friday 4/3/20, the media is reporting the government might start recommending the use of cloth face coverings in public. While no formal federal guidelines have been issued as of close of business Friday 4/3/20, we want to share what we have learned so far. This is subject to change as more information becomes available.

• Cloth coverings are not a substitute for social distancing and frequent handwashing. Continue to social distance at least 6 feet whenever possible and wash your hands frequently, even if you choose to wear a cloth face covering.
• Cloth coverings are not intended to protect the wearer, but to prevent the possible spread of the virus from the wearer to others.

MAREK will continue to adhere to local, state and federal guidelines as they are issued.