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Check out what's happening at Marek and in the construction industry.
IN THE NEWS.
by Marek Brothers on
The following article was authored by Elizabeth McPherson and originally published on Construction Citizen.We have previously written about Community Family Centers (CFC) and how they help primarily low-income families in Houston’s Greater East End. Last month I attended a Friday-morning agency tour to learn about the programs and services… read moreby Jorge Vazquez on
RAIN CAN RUIN A JOBRain may be good for the farmer, but it can turn the jobsite into a giant mud pie. The rain can ruin materials and supplies and generally make things downright messy. Steel gets slippery, equipment gets stuck, and workers get wet. By covering equipment, materials, tools, supplies and people, rain doesn’t have a chance to do as… read moreby Marek Brothers on
The curtain is rising once again on Immigration Theater, that political playhouse in which the Trump administration engages in headline-grabbing showmanship rather than actually addressing the issue of illegal immigration.by Marek Brothers on
In partnership with MAREK, UpSkill Houston created the video below, “What are you up for,” featuring Keith McCray, MAREK Leadman. The goal of this campaign is to help break down barriers, foster open dialogue, and create a singular vision to power solutions that prepare Houston’s workforce for good-paying middle-skill jobs in high demand… read moreby Marek Brothers on
The following article was authored by Scott Braddock and originally published on ConstructionCitizen.com.Despite the efforts of Houston and Texas construction leaders to bolster the workforce in a variety of ways, a staggering 78 percent of contractors in this state still say they are struggling to find qualified craft workers needed to keep up… read moreby Jorge Vazquez on
All of us have exposed ourselves to possible injury by taking shortcuts when a few extra seconds would have meant doing something the safe way. We did this as children when we jumped the fence instead of using the gate. We do it today when we cross streets between intersections instead of at corners.Many people show disregard for the fact that… read moreby Marek Brothers on
There are many challenges in the construction industry, but one of the largest is the availability of craft-worker manpower. According to The National Association of Women in Construction, women only comprise nine percent of the total craft-worker workforce, so construction companies could see a huge boost in their recruitment efforts by targeting… read moreby Jorge Vazquez on
Notice 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 employees to such dangers as electrical shock, electrocution,… read moreby Jorge Vazquez on
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) while handling metal framing, trash and… read moreby Mike Holland on
I recently had the privilege of offering testimony before the United States Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) in Washington, DC related to the expansion of apprenticeship programs designed to create new opportunities. I was testifying on behalf of Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC), a national… read moreby Jorge Vazquez on
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 moreby Marek Brothers on
WASHINGTON, July 26—On behalf of Associated Builders and Contractors, Mike Holland, Chief Operating Officer, MAREK Companies, testified today before the U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions about the need to modernize and expand apprenticeship opportunities in the United States. In his testimony,… read moreby Marek Brothers on
The following was authored by Scott Braddock and originally published on Construction Citizen.Every summer, MAREK celebrates employees with a graduation dinner where craft professionals are honored for reaching various milestones over the last year in the construction firm’s Workforce Development (WFD) Program. The dinner this past… read moreby Jorge Vazquez on
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 were exposed to heat in the… read moreby Jorge Rodriguez on
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 moreby Marek Brothers on
The following article was authored by Jim Kollaer and originally published on ConstructionCitizen.com.Upskill, a program of the Greater Houston Partnership (GHP) focused on the development of a competitive workforce in Houston, held a State of Talent Forum at the University Hilton on the University of Houston Campus recently.The program, from the… read moreby Jorge Vazquez on
The “War on Falls” was declared with only one thing in mind – to prevent injuries by eliminating fall exposures. Zero tolerance and suspensions are merely tools to deal with a violation after it occurs. The ultimate goal is eliminate the exposure in the first place. That can only be accomplished by each and every one of us understanding what is… read moreby Pat Johnnie on
On June 22, 2018, at the MAREK Dallas/Coppell branch, we launched a new program for an introduction of our services to the Architecture, Designer and General Contractor market.We partnered with Knoll Textiles, offering a ‘Hands-On Workshop’. Stantec Architects, a growing firm in Dallas, displayed interest in learning more about us, hence the ‘… read moreby Jorge Vazquez on
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 ladder, scaffold, material stack, or wall for support when getting on or off stilts. When mounting stilts, the top leg strap first will be buckled first. When dismounting… read more