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Check out what's happening at Marek and in the construction industry.
IN THE NEWS.
by Jorge Vazquez on
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 moreby Stan Marek on
News of the caravan of migrants coming up from Central America toward the United States has once again put the subject of undocumented immigration front and center just as voters head to the polls across Texas and the nation.President Donald Trump’s hardline stance may drive his base to the polls, but even those folks want a long-term solution —… read moreby Jorge Vazquez on
Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters (GFCI) are devices designed to prevent accidental electric shock and electrocution by preventing ground faults. They also protect against electrical fires, tool/appliance overheating, and destruction of wire insulation. GFCI’s are required by building code in “wet” locations like kitchens, bathrooms and… read moreby Marek Brothers on
Recently Stan Marek, CEO of the MAREK, a construction company with headquarters in Houston and branch offices in Atlanta, Austin, DFW, and San Antonio, was interviewed by Andy Uhler for National Public Radio’s Marketplace about the viability of the recently-filed E-Verify System Act of 2018.by Jorge Vazquez on
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 moreby Jorge Vazquez on
We have all experienced slipping, tripping, stumbling or falling. Usually the only result is that you feel silly, embarrassed, and perhaps got a scrape or bruise. But falls kill 1,200 people at work a year. They are the biggest cause of accidental death in the workplace. More than 33,000 people are disabled every year from falling down stairs,… read moreby Marek Brothers on
The following is excerpted from an article by Ulf Wolf, which was originally published in Construction Dimensions, a monthly publication by the Association of the Wall and Ceiling Industry. The bad news: Recently, according to the Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey, the number of open U.S. construction sector jobs came in at 243… read moreby Jorge Vazquez on
Accidents occur for many reasons. In most jobsites people tend to look for "things" or “people” to blame when an accident happens, because it's easier than looking for "root causes."Failure to Pre-Plan the Work:There is a lot of talk today about Job Hazard Analysis. JHA's are an effective way to figure out the smartest ways to work safely and… read moreby Jorge Vazquez on
ANSI and OSHA do not reference a maximum service life for synthetic fiber products. ANSI and OSHA standards require that the user remove the equipment from service if it has been subject to the forces of arresting a fall. ANSI A10.32-2012 does not specify a 5-year harness and lanyard service life. It states that "fall protection equipment shall be… read moreby Jorge Vazquez on
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 moreby 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 more