Thank you so much to so many of you for donating so far…the response has been tremendous. In speaking with many of you who haven’t donated yet, I know you have an interest - all you have to do is click on one of the links below to make your donation. It’s not too late…but time is getting short!
 
On a personal note: as a result of this fundraising effort, I received a call from a friend – who has a friend, who has a son…Without getting into details, let’s just say that we spent 40 minutes on the phone last night talking about options, ideas, resources and personal experiences. This dad and I, who don’t know each other at all but for mutual friends, connected. I don’t know if our efforts will be successful – but that long talk is exactly what this is all about – encouraging communication. Identifying resources. Sharing experiences. Taking action.
 
I hope you will join us. I hope that you will research www.shatterproof.org and understand the efforts (and success) they have had to date, and the support they need to continue their mission. Together we can help break addiction’s ugly grasp.
 
Thank you.
 
Marko 
http://support.shatterproof.org/goto/MarkoKaar17

Excavation & Trenching Safety Week 2017 Summary

http://bit.ly/trenchexcresources
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Thank you all for your views, comments, and shares. Together we generated 9126 views, 103 likes, 12 comments, and 43 shares. Hopefully, somewhere, we helped save at least one life, or gave someone pause...

I put together a compendium of links and resources shared last week, you can find the document at the included link. Please pass along, share, and use however you see fit.

Don't stop pressing the issue until the fatalities stop!

Craig Metz, Business Manager and Kyle Zimmer, Health and Safety and Member Assistance Program Director for International Union of Operating Engineers Local 478 teamed with stopthinkprevent.com Founder Marko Kaar to announce rollout of the stopthinkprevent program to IUOE Local 478 members at their meeting May 12, 2017 in Hamden, CT.
 
Speaking to the IUOE Executive Board and over 150 gathered members of the Local, Metz and Zimmer reiterated the Operating Engineers’ leadership role in jobsite safety, and offered their support of the stopthinkprevent initiative started by Kaar in June of 2016.
 
“Our two groups will work together to help create an ongoing, consistent safety-related message and campaign”, Metz explained.   “This program can be implemented by any contractor on any jobsite, and, in any workplace.”
 
“It’s really about taking what we know, the training and professionalism that we have, and ensuring that every workplace encourages their management, their workers, and their clients to Stop. Think. Prevent - Injuries, illnesses, and fatalities.” Kaar said.
 
“Our goal for our union members is to create a clear, consistent message, and a personal commitment to safety: “One is Too Many””, Zimmer added.
 
Local 478 of the IUOE is the premier supplier of heavy equipment operators, mechanics and support personnel in the State of Connecticut.
 
Stopthinkprevent.com was founded in June of 2016 by Marko Kaar, Director of Safety Operations for Bartlett Brainard Eacott, a Bloomfield, CT based general contractor and construction management firm. Starting with a simple thought – “One is Too Many”, the stopthinkprevent initiative is designed to offer employees and employers a simple, effective method to share the safety message – Stop. Think. Prevent. The website offers insights, guidance, and motivational tools, along with a highly visible “falling person” logo as stepping stones to success in sharing any organization‘s safety message, with a component that encourages personal commitment.
 
Join with Local 478 and stopthinkprevent.com. Spread the word. Save lives. One is Too Many.