Marathon's European operations initiated a safety improvement plan that contributed
to a reduced recordable incident rate in 2007, even with a record number of work
hours. The plan included an enhanced orientation process for new employees, more
site visits by leaders, increased BBS audits, vPSI utilization and safety awareness
programs. In the shipyard in Norway where its Alvheim floating production, storage
and offloading vessel was constructed, Marathon worked closely with the shipyard
operator and other contractors to raise safety awareness and standards and improve
shipyard safety performance. To reduce risks associated with construction activities,
Marathon developed eight safety focus areas supported by more than 40 actions and
monitored performance regularly.
Workforce Health and Employee Participation
Marathon complies with applicable laws, regulations and other requirements for a
safe and healthy workplace for employees and contractors. The Company's Industrial
Hygiene Standards provide systems for identifying and addressing employee
exposures to chemical, physical, biological and nuclear hazards through engineering
controls, work practice controls, and/or personal protective equipment (PPE) and
monitoring. HES policies and standards cover hearing conservation, chemical
handling and storage, respiratory protection, industrial hygiene monitoring and
other potential workplace health issues.
Marathon engages employees at all levels to support its health, wellness and safety initiatives. Employee participation heightens awareness, improves compliance and performance, and ultimately leads to a healthier, safer workplace.
The Company offers health and medical benefits, optional wellness programs and awareness activities. Health benefits and services are based on employment practices for local employees in communities where Marathon has operations.
The Company offers voluntary wellness programs in the U.S., Ireland, Norway and the U.K. In 2007, 59 percent of eligible
participants in the U.S. completed an assessment to gauge their health and identify risk factors.
Marathon also initiated a disease management program in the U.S. in 2007. Program goals are to help participants live healthier lives, support their health care protocols, and ultimately to enhance productivity and reduce the cost of health care claims. More than 5,200 employees and dependents qualified for the program and approximately 77 percent of these enrolled.
The Company's International Health Standard provides programs for employees and their dependents living and traveling outside of the U.S. Assistance includes routine and emergency medical care, physical examinations and immunizations. Health screenings and programs address diseases such as malaria and HIV/AIDS. To prevent the spread of tuberculosis (TB) among employees, all new-hire nationals in Equatorial Guinea must receive treatment if active or latent TB is found in a required screening chest x-ray. Once treated, they can work in the Company's EG operations. Expatriate employees are screened for TB during their annual physical examinations if they work in regions with high rates of the disease. For information on Marathon's malaria control program in EG, please see Values in Action.
