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Check out what's happening at Marek and in the construction industry.
IN THE NEWS.
by Jorge Vazquez on
Working in confined spaces can be pretty common in construction. If you’ve ever had to run conduit in a crawl space or install insulation in a cramped attic, you have worked in a confined space. If that crawl space or attic had some kind of hazard in it- such as volatile fumes from spry insulation or high temperatures caused by the heat of a… read moreby Marek Brothers on
The following article was authored by Mark L. Johnson and originally published in AWCI's Construction Dimensions magazine.John Hinson is giving away trade secrets.“We want to improve everyone in the workforce, not just our people,” says the Dallas–Fort Worth Division President at Marek in Coppell, Texas.Specifically, Hinson has licensed the Marek… read moreby Jorge Vazquez on
Notice to Supervisors: Mandatory Demonstration requires a Minimum of 20 minutes to effectively cover topic.Sprains and strains continue to be one of the highest types of injuries within our company. By following a few simple rules, many of these injuries can be avoided or their severity greatly reduced. Medical evidence has shown that performing… read moreby Yesenia Aguilar on
One of the key success factors for Marek’s craft training program is the coaching component. Craft coaches must first become Coach Qualified before partnering with a trainee in the field to pass on their knowledge within a structured on-the-job training program.“It is important to learn all of the skills associated with a craft, but it is just as… read moreby Jorge Vazquez on
Note to Supervisors: Explain to your employees on your own words the importance of being safe for their families and friends.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… read moreby Marek Brothers on
Ulf Wolf, long-time writer for AWCI’s Construction Dimensions Magazine, conducts a Q&A below with Marek’s Director of Talent Development, Sabra Phillips, for an upcoming feature article on Leadership: Present and Future.Be on the lookout for the November 2016 article to learn what Ulf discovers from other leaders across the wall and ceiling… read moreby Stan Marek on
As the debate about illegal immigration rages at the national level thanks to the vitriolic rhetoric of Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump, it's high time for all of us to take a look at how the broken system is negatively affecting people right here in our own community.My entire career has been spent in construction, so I've been… read moreby Jorge Vazquez on
Mobile (also known as rolling) scaffold setups require you to use the same common sense safety rules that apply to the use of stationary upright scaffolding. You should always keep the planks clean; never overload the unit and watch where you are walking.In addition, they require a separate set of cautions that are particular to their design.… read moreby Sabra Phillips on
Earlier this summer, Marek sponsored the very first Texas A&M Summer Construction Academy, in partnership with TAMU Professor Dr. Edelmiro Escamilla, the TAMU College of Construction Science, and the GEAR UP Program.This career exploration program is part of a larger research initiative led by Dr. Escamilla’s team and designed to introduce and… read moreby Jorge Vazquez on
Note to Supervisors: Read and prepare for meeting by looking over your jobsite and how your personnel are approaching their jobs. Using common sense and paying attention to detail can prevent most accidents. Carelessness is not acceptable.Performing construction work can be dangerous for the inexperienced construction worker. Even experienced… read moreby 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
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 on construction jobs are caused by wind and lightning. Wind probably causes the most accidents; lightning can be deadly.WATCH OUT FOR… read moreby Whitney Martin on
I’m always looking for things that are suitable to post on MAREK’s social media pages and website.One evening I was scrolling through Facebook, and I came across a post about MAREK that made me take a second and third look.This post was different. This person was no longer a MAREK employee – and yet he still feels MAREK pride and was excited to… read moreby Jorge Vazquez on
The US Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that more than 25 construction workers die each year using aerial lifts. Approximately 70 percent involve boom lifts such as bucket trucks, while 25 percent of the deaths involve scissor lifts. Many aerial lifts deaths occur when the machines tip over while navigating uneven surfaces.Other tip-over occurs… read moreby Marek Brothers on
Peter Beard began his remarks by expressing his appreciation for the efforts of the coaches, mentors, and supervisors who help develop the skilled workforce, saying that Marek is a “bright spot” in addressing the critical challenge of meeting the industry’s need for skilled workers. by Jorge Vazquez on
Foot protection means guarding your toes, ankles and feet from injury. Believe it or not, your feet have 26 bones for support and 38 joints for movement in each foot. Feet also have blood vessels, ligaments, muscles and nerves, which is why it hurts when you stub your toe or drop something on your foot. Your feet are a critical part of your body… read moreby Brent Ballard on
A tradition of excellence runs deep at Marek and at Texas A&M University. This was on full display this summer when Marek brought real world construction into the classroom for TAMU’s Construction Science 254 Materials and Methods lecture class.In the the TAMU Construction Science Department’s new Francis Hall, the Bob Segner Auditorium was… read moreby Marek Brothers on
Prior to coming to work for Marek, Rivas attended the University of Texas at San Antonio for a couple of years. He has worked on the Phillips 66 and MD Anderson projects during his time so far at Marek. His goals include becoming a foreman with his own crew at Marek within the next five years, and ultimately to become a project manager for Marek.by Jorge Vazquez on
Mandatory Topic: Notice to Supervisors: Read and prepare for demonstration of Web-Tex scaffolds. Make sure all employees understand the importance of following our safe scaffold procedures for the Web-Tex system.Web-Tex Scaffold SafetyAt the Marek Family of Companies we thrive on having safe equipment. Keep in mind that equipment is only as safe… read moreby Jorge Vazquez on
There are several dangers on job sites simple because of the nature of construction work. When the natural hazards found on construction jobs 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 an unsafe… read more