by Jorge Vazquez on Dec 4, 2019
Sharp edges and puncture hazards:When 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) while handling metal framing, trash and... read more
by Jorge Vazquez on Nov 27, 2019
As you might have heard, the new ANSI Standards regarding mobile equipment working platforms are out and this classifies the equipment into two different groups.Group A is consisted of MEWPs that move vertically but stay inside the tipping lines. Group B includes all others, such as boom-type MEWPs where the platform extends past the machine’s... read more
by Jorge Vazquez on Nov 20, 2019
The Marek Family of Companies wants to take this opportunity to give thanks to the most important part of our business – YOU. We hope that you and your family have had a safe and healthy year. We hope you can spend these holidays with family and be able to give thanks for what you have.All of us at MAREK can be thankful for another year. We want... read more
by Marek Brothers on Nov 14, 2019
As attorneys prepare to make arguments about protections for young immigrants before the United States Supreme Court next week, nearly 50 business leaders from around Texas asked Senators John Cornyn and Ted Cruz to "take up legislation that will provide a permanent solution for undocumented youth, also known as Dreamers.""The Supreme Court is... read more
by Jorge Vazquez on Nov 13, 2019
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 ConditionsThe following four environmental conditions... read more
by Marek Brothers on Nov 12, 2019
The filmmakers at the Rational Middle have now also launched a podcast tackling the tough topic of immigration. Their video documentary series on the issue, which you can check out here, offers a primer on how the United States arrived at the broken immigration system it has today.
by Marek Brothers on Nov 5, 2019
Construction isn't just for the guys. In fact, one of the most pervasive myths that we hear all the time is that women are somehow not welcome in the industry.
by Jorge Vazquez on Oct 31, 2019
An injury because of a fall is a major problem in construction. More than 20,000 people are killed every year due to a fall. Only traffic accidents cause more tragedy.Falling hazards on jobsites are grouped into three general categories:Falls on the same level.Falls from an elevated area.Being struck by a falling object.Slipping, tripping or... read more
by Jorge Vazquez on Oct 22, 2019
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 immediate correction.Close calls or near misses are all too common in the workplace. Why talk about incidents that didn’t happen? The following story might make it a little easier to... read more
by Marek Brothers on Oct 18, 2019
The following article was authored by Scott Braddock and originally published on Construction Citizen.A commitment ceremony was held this past week for dozens of Houston students in a new dual credit, two-year construction certification program at Houston Community College. The whole thing is being done in partnership with MAREK, one of the... read more
by Jorge Vazquez on Oct 18, 2019
PROJECT 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 such as a scaffold or material stack when getting on or off stilts. When mounting stilts, the top leg strap first will be buckled first. When dismounting,... read more
by Marek Brothers on Oct 11, 2019
The following article was authored by Norman Adams and originally published on TXSIP.org.At a recent Texas Summit on Immigration in Houston last week, my good friend Stan Marek, co-founder of TXSIP and CEO of MAREK, explained a sensible immigration policy we call “ID and Tax.”With Texas’ unemployment at 3.4% and businesses in need of more workers... read more
by Marek Brothers on Oct 10, 2019
Just as legislative action appears to be grinding to a halt in Washington amid an impeachment inquiry of President Donald Trump, business leaders and others gathered in Southeast Texas for a day-long summit focused on the next steps in their fight for immigration reform.
by Jorge Vazquez on Oct 8, 2019
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 the lung tissue reacts by... read more
by Jorge Vazquez on Oct 2, 2019
Tools and equipment include anything from ladders, scaffolds, utility knifes, extension cords, hammer, etc. They seem simple, but tools and equipment can be hazardous on the jobsite or anywhere they are being use. Their greatest hazards are misuse and improper maintenance.Therefore, the Marek Family of Companies provides the necessary equipment to... read more
by Jorge Vazquez on Sep 24, 2019
DISCIPLINARY POLICY All companies, no matter what their business, have certain rules of behavior, which must be observe 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
by Jorge Vazquez on Sep 18, 2019
ACCIDENTSIn 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 supervisor will assist the... read more
by Jorge Vazquez on Sep 10, 2019
ATTENDANCERegular 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 and tardiness are not only inconvenient, they are also costly problems. While it is recognized that occasional illness or personal reasons cause unavoidable absence or... read more
by Arthur Ehmling on Sep 10, 2019
A construction craft professional was just assigned his first supervisor position as the jobsite foreman. Things went relatively well while the crew was small. As other crafts ramped up, it was necessary for his crew to increase in numbers to keep the job schedule on track. As he was accustomed to working with an experienced crew, he didn’t know... read more
by Jorge Vazquez on Sep 4, 2019
How long you work for us is based on how you safely perform your job and meet the production expectations of your supervisor.Every Front Line Supervisor is responsible for timely reporting of all work-related injuries, accidents and fall exposures. To properly carry out his duties, today we are reviewing with all employees, the responsibilities of... read more
