Authored by Pat Kiley and originally published by Construction Citizen.
The Houston Construction Industry is made up of many different people. Those who prosper are authentic, real people who make commitments, work hard to honor them, appreciate others and stay humble when they succeed.
Brianna Wright, the beloved Executive Director of the… read more
WAR ON FALLS
SUSPENSION RECAP
ZERO TOLERANCE
This zero tolerance means that certain unsafe employee actions will automatically result in suspension from work. So that employees understand what these actions that will result in suspension are, we will recap the WAR ON FALLS safety violations that will result in a minimum two-… read more
Marek Brothers Systems Inc., a trusted staple of Houston’s construction community, has been entrusted with the noble task of constructing such an innovative means of combating COVID-19 and augmenting existing capacity.
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;… read more
HOUSEKEEPING AND TRASH REMOVAL
There are several dangers on job sites simply 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… read more
In January, the Department of Labor (DOL) published a final rule that detailed how a business was to determine a worker’s employment status under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). This rule was set to go into effect on May 7, 2021, but at the last moment, the Biden Administration pulled back, ensuring no change to how businesses and the… read more
: Explain to your employees in your own words the importance of being safe for their families and friends.
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… read more
NOTE:
• We recommend employees follow best practices and CDC/OSHA guidance in choosing when to wear a face covering. Masks will no longer be required in most cases.
As always, we will follow safety guidelines specific to our location or worksite. If a mask is required at a particular… read more
Mandatory Topic:
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 genders equally.… read more
Struck-By
Falling/Flying Objects
You are at risk from falling objects when you are beneath equipment, scaffolds, etc., or where overhead work is being performed. There is a danger from flying objects when power tools, or activities like pushing, pulling, or prying, may cause objects to become airborne. Injuries can range from… read more
NOTE: Open Enrollment period ends June 4, 2021, you still have time to complete your enrollment. This is a passive enrollment, if you do not complete your enrollment, your coverage elections will remain the same, except for contributions to your Medical Flexible Spending Account, Dependent Care Reimbursement Account, or Health Savings… read more
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 used. Their greatest hazards are misuse and improper maintenance.
Therefore, the Marek Family of Companies provides the… read more
NOTE: Open enrollment period is May 17 to June 4, 2021. Be sure to login at MyMAREK.com and complete your enrollment.
Virtual Meetings: May 19 at 4:30pm, May 20 at 4:30pm (SPANISH), May 25 at 11:30am and May 27 at 4:30pm (SPANISH).
Sharp edges and puncture hazards
When you are handling metal, remember the sharp… read more
Note: Open Enrollment is here! This is your opportunity to examine your benefit choices and make changes to meet your current needs. The enrollment period is May 17, 2021 to June 4, 2021. We will be conducting virtual meetings this year, links for the meetings will go out via email and text soon. Be sure to login to MyMAREK.com to ensure you have… read more
O.S.H.A. identifies falls as one of the four leading causes of fatalities in the construction industry. This is why employees must be trained to recognize fall exposures and have the authority to take corrective actions.
We have all heard the expression "it’s not the fall that’s hurts but the sudden stop at the end." Think of a fall as “a sudden… read more
We have talked about eye protection many times in the past. There is no question how fragile our eyes are and how important it is to protect them. We all know when to wear eye protection on the job, but today we want to talk about other eye injuries that occur and how to prevent them. The majority of eye injuries do not occur because we failed to… read more
Scaffolding hazards continue to rank high on the list of the most frequently cited standards in construction. They also account for approximately 9 percent of all fatalities at construction worksites. When working on scaffolds, be sure you know and follow these SAFETY rules. We also want to remind you that we have a “ZERO TOLERANCE” for fall… read more
Notice to supervisors: If you are not using stilts on your job, make sure you mention the War on Falls for ladders, lifts, scaffolds, guardrails, and holes. Make sure you also mention the two-day suspension for any fall exposure.
PROJECT SAFE STATES:
Only those employees who have been certified under the company’s stilt policy… read more
John L., Bill, & Ralph Marek founded the Marek Family of Companies with a strong commitment to its employees and their families. The MAREK tradition of developing and nurturing employees provides a unique opportunity for individuals looking for a career in the construction industry. For this reason, the MAREK Scholarship was… read more
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 Safety
At the Marek Family of Companies we thrive on having safe equipment. Keep in mind that equipment is only as… read more