Of all the equipment placed at our disposal, common hand tools, which we take for granted, are the most useful and the most often abused.A recent review of construction injuries reveals quite a number of minor accidents involving the use of hand tools. To counteract this trend, it would be wise to review the basic rules governing the use of… read more
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 more
Mandatory Topic: Read, Be Prepared and Demonstrate to All EmployeesAttention 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 fastening tools have many things in common… read more
DISCIPLINARY POLICYAll companies, no matter what their business, have certain rules of behavior which 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 more
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 the lung tissue reacts by… read more
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 more
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 more
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 the lung tissue reacts by… read more
The MAREK team stands united during this challenging time. We know many of our team members are dealing with damage to homes and vehicles, being temporarily displaced or sup- porting friends and family who have been affected by the storm.Thank you for being here today. We are proud to be part of a city like Houston and a team like MAREK who sticks… read more
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 more
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), which enforces worker safety laws, has joined with the Transportation Department, other Labor Department agencies and key associations and organizations to enlist the help and cooperation of businesses – large and small – in a nationwide outreach, education, and enforcement effort to stop… read more
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 the lung tissue reacts by… read more
The Construction Career Collaborative, or C3, has grown by leaps and bounds over the last year as a business alliance of owners, contractors and specialty contractors advocating to re-establish a highly-skilled and sustainable craft workforce for the future. We’re doing it by adhering to three principles on C3 projects: Financial security, health… read more
At the Marek Family of Companies we take pride on everything we do. Our type of work is often performed at heights and working at heights can be hazardous-falls rank as the chief cause of death on the construction jobsite. That’s why the Marek Family of Companies is always looking for ways to protect their employees and get the work done more… read more
WaterThe 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 only helps you if you… read more
At the 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 more
In any company, whether differences among members are great or small, functioning as a team is critical to success.In today’s meeting, we want to focus on behaviors that violate these principles in the worst way. We are speaking of verbal and physical confrontations, more commonly known as “having words” and fighting.Our company’s response to… read more
There’s one hand tool that demands your respect over many others in the workplace, a tool that can cut you to the bone in an instant . . . the utility knife.Many workers use utility knives to cut drywall, ceiling tile, strapping, puncture shrinkwrap and open packaging. But one wrong move and these blades can do serious harm.In fact, nearly 40… read more
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 more
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. Half a job or inadequate or incomplete jobs of covering hole in the floor. Why did it happen?Although originally nailed down with 8d… read more