Stretch & Flex Construction is an athletic event! The importance of being warmed up before starting construction work (or any work involving heavy lifting) is just like getting ready for a sporting event. Stretching is a means to avoid the most common body sprain/strain injuries. Stretching before lifting is especially helpful to avoid… read more
SAFETY AWARENESS FOR ECLIPSE EVENT As you may be aware, there's an exciting celestial event coming up on Monday, April 8th – a solar eclipse. While this phenomenon will only be visible for a limited time and in specific locations, it's important for us to address some safety concerns and guidelines to ensure everyone remains safe and… read more
SILICA DUST AWARENESS Crystalline silica is a common mineral in the earth's crust and is found in many types of rock including sand, quartz, and granite. Silica is present in both work and non-work environments, and exposure to crystalline silica dust has long been known to cause a disease called silicosis. When you inhale crystalline silica… read more
Line of Fire Safety TalkThe term “line of fire” is very common when talking about the hazards of a work task. Depending on the work being completed, there may be many different lines of fire or there could be very few. It is important to understand the “line of fire” and how to avoid being in it to prevent injuries. What is the “Line of Fire… read more
MATERIAL HANDLING AND HAND SAFETY Sharp edges and puncture hazardsWhen you are handling metal, remember the sharp rolled edges. Every employee gets relaxed around metal: when you see your co-workers do this, remind them about the sharp edges. Many hand lacerations are caused by carelessness - losing your grip and not wearing gloves (PPE)… read more
TOOLS AND EQUIPMENTTools and equipment include anything from ladders, scaffolds, utility knives, extension cords, hammers, etc. They seem simple, but tools and equipment can be hazardous on the job site or anywhere they are being used. Their greatest hazards are misuse and improper maintenance.Therefore, the Marek Family of Companies provides the… read more
WAR ON FALLS: STILTSPROJECT SAFE STATES:Only those employees who have been certified under the company’s stilt policy will be allowed to use stilts.STILTS POLICY STATES:Employees shall always use a stable surface, scaffold, material stack, or wall for support when getting on or off stilts. When mounting stilts, the top leg strap first will be… read more
DISCIPLINARY POLICYAll companies, no matter what their business, have certain rules of behavior that must be observed to ensure a productive, safe operation. The Marek Companies are no exception. For the welfare of all of us who work together on a day-to-day basis, certain actions are serious enough to warrant disciplinary procedures. Therefore,… read more
GRAFFITI PREVENTION: PROTECTING OUR PROJECTSGood morning, team. Today's toolbox talk will focus on an important issue that affects our construction sites: graffiti.Graffiti not only damages the appearance of our sites but can also have significant repercussions on our projects. We must understand the impact of graffiti and take proactive measures… read more
EMPLOYEE HANDBOOK PART IIACCIDENTSIn the event an employee is involved in an accident or sustains an injury while on the job, they must report it to their supervisor immediately regardless of its severity. First aid supplies are normally maintained at jobsites to take care of certain minor injuries. When medical attention is warranted, the… read more
BATTERY-POWERED OUTERWEAR SAFETY Understanding the RisksToday, we're here to discuss an important aspect of our safety at work and in our daily lives – battery-powered outerwear. With the advent of technology, battery-powered heated jackets, vests, and other outerwear have become popular, providing warmth and comfort in cold weather. However… read more
EMPLOYEE HANDBOOK PART IATTENDANCERegular and on-time attendance is essential to the efficient operations of the company and is an essential function of every employee’s job. Excessive absenteeism, tardiness, or early departures are not only inconvenient, but they are also costly problems. While it is recognized that occasional illness or personal… read more
COLD WEATHER SAFETYAs the weather becomes “frightful” during winter months, construction workers who must brave the outdoor conditions face the occupational hazard of exposure to the cold. You need to be especially mindful of the weather, its effects on the body, and proper prevention techniques.Environmental conditionsThe following four… read more
HAZARD ANALYSISWORKING AROUND SPRINKLERS OR ELECTRICAL AREASNotice to Supervisors: Read and prepare for safety meeting. Make sure all employees understand the importance of following our Hazard Analysis and the procedures to work around sprinkler and electrical areas.Electricity has long been recognized as a serious workplace hazard, exposing… read more
SAFETY IN YOUR LIFE 2024MAREK hopes you had a great holiday season with your loved ones. It is now time to look at our road ahead and remember that safety is our top priority. We need to remember that we are not getting any younger and that an injury can not only put us out of work but can also jeopardize our family’s well-being.In fact, according… read more
HAND TOOLS SAFETYOf all the equipment placed at our disposal, common hand tools, which we take for granted, are the most useful and the most often abused.A recent review of construction injuries reveals quite a number of minor accidents involving hand tools. To counteract this trend, it would be wise to review the basic rules governing the use of… read more
Harassment/DiscriminationAt MAREK, we rely on our employees to work as teams to build our jobs, and without teamwork, we would not be able to accomplish any of our goals. The teams that we have are generally comprised of a very diverse group, be it different trades, races, genders, religions, etc. We feel that the diversity we have… read more
Close Calls/Near Misses Are Wake-Up CallsNotice to Supervisors: Read and be prepared to answer questions. Every employee should know to report near misses to their immediate supervisor.At MAREK we expect everyone to report unsafe conditions and actions, as stated in PROJECT SAFE. A near miss is always considered an unsafe condition that needs… read more
ABSENTEEISM AND SAFETYHOW NOT BEING THERE AFFECTS EVERYONEBob NoPay has a problem that affects a lot of employees; he is speaking to his Production Manager on Friday about a short check. When all the facts are reviewed, Bob finds out that his attendance is the problem, not a clerical error from his foreman or payroll.Absenteeism impacts MAREK in… read more
BECAUSE WE CAREAt MAREK we care for our employees. Safety is a major role in everybody’s life and doing the right thing for the right reason is the key to our success.As a group of employees, we must focus on safety and prevention by practicing problem identification and problem-solving. To work at MAREK you must care about safety by paying… read more
Stretch & Flex Construction is an athletic event! The importance of being warmed up before starting construction work (or any work involving heavy lifting) is just like getting ready for a sporting event. Stretching is a means to avoid the most common body sprain/strain injuries. Stretching before lifting is especially helpful to avoid… read more