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Check out what's happening at Marek and in the construction industry.
IN THE NEWS.
by Sabra Phillips on
When Lee High School’s field trip to a construction jobsite was rained out late last month, Marek brought the jobsite to the school. Twenty Construction and Architecture Academy sophomores met with a panel of Marek representatives to learn about careers in construction. Donning their Marek PPE, students participated in a stretch and flex before… read moreby Jorge Vazquez on
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 moreby Jorge Vazquez on
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 moreby Stacy Gunderson on
Marek was very excited to take part in the massive transformation of the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center. This contract was one of the largest in San Antonio history and we were very happy that Hunt-Zachry awarded Marek the opportunity to take part in a project that means so much to our city.
The new construction and remodeling of the… read moreby Jorge Vazquez on
You have often heard the story of the child who thinks he is drinking from a container filled with water or soda only to discover, after taking a few sips, that he is actually drinking potentially harmful liquid such as gasoline or cleaning fluid.While labeling of containers may seem to be a basic common-sense issue, it is often overlooked. … read moreby Don Cerlanek on
Representatives of the City of Atlanta Workforce Development Agency, the American Subcontractors Association - Georgia Chapter, the State Office of Economic Development/Go Build Georgia and the U.S. Department of Labor Wage and Hour Division recently met with the leadership of Marek, a leading Atlanta subcontractor, to discuss rapidly developing… read moreby Marek Brothers on
Originally published in ConstructionCitizen by Chuck Gremillion, Executive Director of Construction Career Collaborative:Construction Career Collaborative (C3) and the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston hosted a town hall meeting for seven Contractors on April 11, 2016 at the offices of the Houston Chapter of Associated General Contractors to… read moreby Jorge Vazquez on
In March and April, all Foremen were invited to Marek’s latest State of the Company meeting. This year we are working to communicate updates from each of these meetings to you.Several Marek locations are off to a strong and steady start in the first half of the year. Those cities with a slower ramp up are gaining momentum as summer approaches. To… read moreby Whitney Martin on
Did you know that the USS Lexington, built in 1942, participated in nearly every major operation during WWII AND was BUILT BY WOMEN? Yes, you read that correctly, this 42,000 ton, 910 foot war machine was constructed by women.Women have played major roles in construction for decades. During WWII and the Korean conflict, women had to take the… 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. Carelessness is not acceptable.Project Safe states quite simply:Employee Basic Safety Rules, Safe Work Habits: “Careless disregard for the safety of other employees will not be tolerated and is grounds for immediate… read moreby John Hinson on
Marek Dallas Division President John Hinson wrote the following President’s Message for AWCI's Construction Dimensions magazine. Hinson is the 2015-2016 President of AWCI.Here’s an inspiring tale about someone I think of as part of the Greatest Generation. He is a founding father of the Marek Company.When I first hired on, the Mareks owned some… read moreby Jorge Vazquez on
Mandatory Topic: Notice to Supervisors & Safety Advisors: Read and prepare for DEMONSTRATION of BODY HARNESS. Make sure all employees understand the importance of wearing a body harness properly, use a volunteer for demonstration.An injury because of a fall is a major problem in construction. More than 20,000 people are killed every year due… read moreby Shannon Zweifel on
There’s no doubt that education looks different in 2016. Students are provided with many opportunities to try and experience a variety of careers through technical schools, career fairs and internships. Marek teammates enjoy the time they get to spend with students, answering questions and providing a glimpse into the construction industry… read moreby Stan Marek on
Originally published in the Houston Chronicle.As someone intimately familiar with the economic realities of the situation, I am quite disappointed by the immigration arguments made by the Texas Attorney General’s Office before the United States Supreme Court this past week.Regardless of your position on President Obama’s executive action… 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 Shannon Zweifel on
Have you ever been asked what you wanted to be when you grow up? When you answered, were you encouraged to explore these opportunities? Were your options limitless? On Saturday, April 9th, Houston ISD students did just that. Students ranging from kindergarten to seniors in high school were able to explore career opportunities and picture… read moreby Jorge Vazquez on
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 cord by pulling the cord.… read moreby Mike Holland on
Marek Chief Operating Officer Mike Holland wrote the following "Letter from the Chair" for ABC Houston's Build Houston magazine. Holland is the 2016 ABC Greater Houston Chair.I write this message with great pride as I return from the ABC Workforce week in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. While the primary focus of the event is the National… read moreby Jorge Vazquez on
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 moreby John Hinson on
Marek Dallas Division President John Hinson wrote the following President’s Message for AWCI's Construction Dimensions magazine. Hinson is the 2015-2016 President of AWCI.A friend recently called me to vent about an audit by the Department of Homeland Security on his concrete business. Seeing me as an understanding ear, he related the impact this… read more