COLD WEATHER SAFETY As 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… read more
ABSENTEEISM AND SAFETY HOW NOT BEING THERE AFFECTS EVERYONE Bob 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… read more
At 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… read more
Stan Marek, CEO of MAREK, received the prestigious Eugene H. Vaughan Civic Leadership Award at the Center for Houston’s Future's signature fall event, Dinner and Conversation, on November 19th in Houston. Margaret Vaughan presented the award in recognition of Mr. Marek’s outstanding leadership, dedicated service, and significant contributions… read more
SAFETY FOR THE HOLIDAYS The Marek Family of Companies wants to take this opportunity to give thanks to the most important part of our business – YOU. We hope you and your family have had a safe and healthy year. We hope you can spend these holidays with your family and give thanks for what you have. All of us at MAREK… read more
At 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 throughout our… read more
HAND TOOLS SAFETY Of 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… read more
Struck-By Falling/Flying Objects You are at risk from falling objects when you are beneath equipment, scaffolds, etc., or where overhead work is being performed. There is a danger from flying objects when power tools, or activities like pushing, pulling, or prying, may cause objects to become airborne. Injuries can range from minor… read more
TAKE CARE OF YOUR FEET Most people don’t think much about their feet, until a foot begins to hurt. Damage to even one bone, ligament, or muscle in the foot can be very painful and make it difficult or impossible for you to keep on your feet and do your job. Unfortunately, statistics tell us that work related foot… read more
WORKPLACE DISTRACTION When we do accident investigations, a lot of times we’ll find injuries can be attributed to some type of distraction. Although it may not be possible to eliminate distractions, experts say steps can be taken to minimize them and recognize when they occur. Different types of distractions When people… read more
At this year's APEX gala, Stan Marek received the AGC Houston Master Builder Award. Every two years, this prestigious honor is presented to an individual or organization that has significantly contributed to advancing the commercial environment in the greater Houston area. This award is about more than construction; it's about shaping the city,… read more
Close Calls/Near Misses Are Wake-Up Calls Notice 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… read more
Even a simple extension cords needs to be looked after. It’s a shock or fire hazard when deteriorated, worn-out or used improperly. Three-wire cords are for outdoor appliances and electric power tools. The third wire is a ground. Never plug these cords into an ungrounded electrical outlet. Don’t… read more
WHY SAFETY Why is accident prevention so important? Do you view accident prevention as simply a way to avoid getting hurt? Do you work safely just because you want to? Perhaps you view accident prevention as a way of keeping the company happy or your supervisor off your back. Maybe you just do it because you have… read more
WAR ON FALLS SUSPENSION RECAP ZERO TOLERANCE These zero tolerances mean that certain unsafe employee actions will automatically result in suspension from work. So that employees understand what these actions are that will result in suspension, we will recap the WAR ON FALLS safety violations that will result in a… read more
Suicide Prevention Suicide is a leading cause of death among working-age adults in the United States. It deeply impacts workers, families, and communities. Fortunately, like other workplace fatalities, suicides can be prevented. Below are 5 things to know about preventing suicide 1. Be AwareEveryone can help prevent suicide.… read more
SIGNS & BARRICADES A barricade is a portable or fixed device with three rails and appropriate markings. It is used to control traffic by closing, restricting, or delineating all or a portion of the right-of-way. Barricades are physical obstructions such as walls, guardrails, screens, tapes, or cones intended to warn and limit access to a… read more
EMPLOYEE HANDBOOK PART III DISCIPLINARY POLICY All companies, no matter what their business, have certain rules of behavior, which 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… read more
Stay Hydrated Water The natural choice for hydration is water. It hydrates better than any other liquid, both before and during work. Water tends to be less expensive and more available than any other drink. You need to drink 4-6 ounces of water for every 15-20 minutes of work. That can add up to a lot of water! Water is the best,… read more
EMPLOYEE HANDBOOK PART II ACCIDENTS In 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. … read more
COLD WEATHER SAFETY As 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… read more