IN THE NEWS.

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Check out what's happening at Marek and in the construction industry.

by Jorge Vazquez on

Toolbox Talk Icon SAFE BEFORE THE STORM RAIN CAN RUIN A JOB Rain 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… read more

by Jorge Vazquez on

Toolbox Talk Icon WAR ON FALLS SUSPENSION RECAP ZERO TOLERANCE These zero tolerances means that certain unsafe employee actions will automatically result in suspension from work. So that employees understand what these actions are that will result in suspension, we will recap the WAR ON FALLS safety violations that will result in a minimum two-day… read more

by Jorge Vazquez on

Toolbox Talk Icon POWDER-ACTUATED TOOL SAFETY Mandatory Topic: Read, Be Prepared and Demonstrate to All Employees Attention All Foremen: You will demonstrate a powder-actuated tool to all your employees today. Safe production practices need to be covered in this meeting. You may choose to demonstrate multiple tools with live firing. Powder actuated… read more

by Jorge Vazquez on

Toolbox Talk Icon Suicide Prevention Suicide is a leading cause of death among working age adults in the United States. It deeply impacts workers, families, and communities. Fortunately, like other workplace fatalities, suicides can be prevented. Below are 5 things to know about preventing suicide. 1. Be Aware Everyone can help prevent suicide. Mental… read more

by Jorge Vazquez on

Toolbox Talk Icon FLOOR OPENINGS Safely covering a floor opening with a piece of plywood requires more than just laying down the material over the hole, or even nailing it down. Total on the job safety means a total job of eliminating a hazard. An inadequate or incomplete job of covering ahole in the floor occured. Why did it happen? Although originally… read more

by Jorge Vazquez on

Toolbox Talk Icon EXTENSION CORDS Even a simple extension cords needs to be looked after. It’s a shock or fire hazard when deteriorated, worn-out or used improperly. Three-wire cords are for outdoor appliances and electric power tools. The third wire is a ground. Never plug these cords into an ungrounded electrical outlet. Don’t disconnect an extension… read more

by Jorge Vazquez on

Toolbox Talk Icon Personal Safety Measures The Marek Family of Companies is responsible for training you in the recognition and avoidance of unsafe conditions and of the safety hazards applicable to your workplace. However, you are also an important player in jobsite safety and security. The simplest of tasks, such as placing trash where it belongs,… read more

by Jorge Vazquez on

Toolbox Talk Icon HAZARD ANALYSIS WORKING AROUND SPRINKLERS OR ELECTRICAL AREAS 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… read more

by Jorge Vazquez on

Toolbox Talk Icon EMPLOYEE HANDBOOK PART III  DISCIPLINARY POLICY All 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… read more

by Jorge Vazquez on

Toolbox Talk Icon EMPLOYEE HANDBOOK PART I ATTENDANCE Regular 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, but they are also costly problems. While it is recognized that occasional illness or personal… read more

by Jorge Vazquez on

Toolbox Talk Icon Stay Hydrated Water The natural choice for hydration is water. It hydrates better than any other liquid, both before and during work. Water tends to be less expensive and more available than any other drink. You need to drink 4-6 ounces of water for every 15-20 minutes of work. That can add up to a lot of water! Water is the best, but it… read more

by Jorge Vazquez on

Toolbox Talk Icon Your participation in filling out this questionnaire is extremely important to us. Remember, we are excited to hear from you, so if you need additional help, do not hesitate to ask your supervisor or your local safety advisor. Please take the time to click on the link we will send via text to your phone and answer some simple questions. If… read more

by Marek Brothers on

Labor Shortage and Immigration Reform Townhall Authored by Charles Frantes and originally published on TexasGOPVote.com Business leaders met recently at Amegy Bank in Houston for a town hall discussion on the need for immigration reform to alleviate unprecedented labor shortages as the number of open jobs in the US remains at an all-time high. Experts on immigration policy made the case… read more

by Jorge Vazquez on

Toolbox Talk Icon THE HEAT AFTER THE HOLIDAY If you are not sweating or you have not urinated, is it sign of dehydration. Did you know that after a holiday weekend most people who consumed alcohol are more exposed to dehydration? Drinking alcoholic beverages in hot weather can have serious consequences. During extreme heat, we sweat … read more

by Jorge Vazquez on

Toolbox Talk Icon WAR ON FALLS HOW 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 properly carry out their duties, today we are… read more

by Jorge Vazquez on

Toolbox Talk Icon 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 on construction jobs are caused by wind and lightning. Wind probably causes the most accidents; lightning can be… read more

by Jorge Vazquez on

Toolbox Talk Icon Distractions 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." While some factors in the workplace can play a role in causing distractions, the fact remains that more hazards result from unsafe acts than from… read more

by Jorge Vazquez on

Stay Hydrated Water The natural choice for hydration is water. It hydrates better than any other liquid, both before and during work. Water tends to be less expensive and more available than any other drink. You need to drink 4-6 ounces of water for every 15-20 minutes of work. That can add up to a lot of water! Water is the… read more

by 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… read more

by 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… read more