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Check out what's happening at Marek and in the construction industry.
IN THE NEWS.
by Jorge Vazquez on
SEVERE WEATHER WHY TALK ABOUT THE WEATHER? Actually, we have no control over rain, snow, sleet, wind, lightning or sunshine. But we can control what happens on our job as a result of the elements. Some of the biggest problems in construction jobs are caused by wind and lightning. Wind probably causes the most accidents; lightning can be… read moreby Jorge Vazquez on
THE HEAT If you are not sweating or you have not urinated, is it a sign of dehydration. Did you know that after a holiday weekend, most people who consume alcohol are more exposed to dehydration? Drinking alcoholic beverages in hot weather can have serious consequences. During extreme heat, we sweat more, and drinking… read moreby Jorge Vazquez on
WAR ON FALLS 3 KEYS TO WORK SAFE ON LADDERSGrab a ladder. Stand it up and climb. So simple anyone can do it, right?But if it really were all that simple, 130,000 people wouldn’t get hurt on ladders each year, would they?Most ladder accidents are caused by improper selection, setup, or use, not defects. SELECTIONBe sure the ladder… read moreby Jorge Vazquez on
Heat Stress Hot weather causes more fatalities than any other weather-related source. Heat waves rarely are given adequate attention but in fact, they claim more lives each year than floods, hurricanes, and tornadoes combined. Heat waves are a silent killer. Heatstroke also affects both genders equally. However, because many men… read moreby Jorge Vazquez on
Open enrollment is closing on June 4, 2024. You still have time to evaluate the benefit choices that are available to you by MyMAREK. If you do not complete your enrollment, your coverage elections will remain the same, except for contributions to your Medical Flexible Spending Account, Dependent Care Reimbursement Account, or Health… read moreby Jorge Vazquez on
War on FallsHow to Report an Accident 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 help properly carry out his duties,… read moreby Jorge Vazquez on
Open Enrollment is here! May 09 – June 04. Make sure to log in to your MyMarek to review: Your elections Update people to cover & emergency contacts Add dependent SSNs Update beneficiaries for Life Insurance plans Update phone numbers and addresses Carelessness Causes Accidents Note to… read moreby Jorge Vazquez on
O.S.H.A. identifies falls as one of the four leading causes of fatalities in the construction industry. Therefore, employees must be trained to recognize fall exposures and have the authority to take corrective actions. We have all heard the expression - ‘it is not the fall that hurts but the sudden stop at the end’.… read moreby Jorge Vazquez on
We have talked about eye protection many times in the past. There is no question how fragile our eyes are and how important it is to protect them. We all know when to wear eye protection on the job, but today we want to talk about other eye injuries that occur and how to prevent them. The majority of eye injuries do not occur because we failed to… read moreby Jorge Vazquez on
There are several dangers on job sites simply because of the nature of construction work. When the natural hazards found on construction job sites are compounded with clutter and debris, the hazard level increases and the potential for an accident or an injury substantially increases. A construction site with poor housekeeping creates… read moreby Jorge Vazquez on
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 moreby Jorge Vazquez on
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 moreby Jorge Vazquez on
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 moreby Jorge Vazquez on
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 moreby Jorge Vazquez on
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 moreby Jorge Vazquez on
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 moreby Marek Brothers on
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 moreby Jorge Vazquez on
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 moreby Jorge Vazquez on
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 moreby Jorge Vazquez on
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