Weekly Toolbox Talk: Carelessness Causes Accidents

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 termination." “Employees will be expected to regularly inspect and evaluate the work area for hazardous conditions, and to report any changes immediately to the jobsite supervisor or safety advisor.” Who is responsible for safety on the jobsite? Everyone and anyone who works for Marek is responsible for...

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Rational Middle Podcast: Exploring “Deconstructed,” A New Book on Immigration & Construction Industry

The following article was authored by Charles Frantes: Loren C. Steffy discussed the new book he co-authored with Stan Marek, Deconstructed: An Insider's View of Illegal Immigration, on a recent Rational Middle podcast with host Chris Lyon. The book, which is available on Amazon, tells the story of Stan Marek’s family and their specialty contracting business in Houston, MAREK. It also provides a history of immigration policy in the US and a detailed explanation of how a broken...

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New Industrial Fellowships support research on safer, more efficient and novel transport systems

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Weekly Toolbox Talk: 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 are that will result in suspension, we will recap the WAR ON FALLS safety violations that will result in a minimum two-day suspension. LADDERS Standing on the top or the second step from the top of a ladder Walking a ladder Standing on the backside of a portable ladder or standing while facing away from the...

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Jonnie's blade inspires next generation of engineers

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Government investment too low to achieve net zero recovery, say engineers

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Houston’s ABC13 Features Construction Career Success Story from Training Program at Community Family Centers

Construction Citizen’s Elizabeth McPherson joined MAREK’s Laura Contreras on a jobsite last year to discuss her success through a NCCER training course at Community Family Centers (CFC). After completing the program at CFC, Laura was immediately hired by MAREK to work in their new flooring division. While Contreras’s mother was taking English language courses at CFC, she learned about the NCCER training offered there, so Laura took the course in which she enjoyed working with...

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Weekly Toolbox Talk: Take Care of Your Feet

Most people don’t think much about their feet, until a foot begins to hurt. Damage to even one bone, ligament, or muscle in the foot can be very painful and make it difficult or impossible for you to keep on your feet and do your job. Unfortunately, statistics tell us that work related foot injuries are common. Foot injuries can result from: Broken bones caused by heavy falling or rolling objects, like sheetrock dollies Bruises and stubbed toes caused by bumps...

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C3: It's a Mission

The following article was authored by Angela Robbins-Taylor, People Development Program Manager at Construction Career Collaborative: We held our 10th annual golf tournament this week and it struck me that this is exactly why I wanted to work for Construction Career Collaborative (C3). Not because I love golf tournaments or days out of the office enjoying the fall weather and beauty of the course. Both of those are really great things, but what I truly love is the congregating of so many...

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Weekly Toolbox Talk: Sprains and Strains

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 warm-up exercises before work and after breaks reduces strain and sprain type injuries. These rules are: Warm up before performing a...

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New online and in-classroom student activities launched for This is Engineering Day

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Academy Fellows receive Queen’s Birthday Honours

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Weekly Toolbox Talk: Employee Handbook - Part III

DISCIPLINARY POLICY All 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, infractions such as the ones listed below will result in such action, which may be in the form of a verbal warning, written warning, suspension,...

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Royal Academy of Engineering Enterprise Hub sets up first regional base in Northern Ireland

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Spending Review must support innovation to improve resilience and cut carbon emissions

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PPE could be safely decontaminated and reused to conserve supplies and save waste, say engineers

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Academy invests £22 million in emerging technologies that could have global benefits

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Academy invests £22 million in emerging technologies that could have global benefits

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Weekly Toolbox Talk: Employee Handbook - Part II

ACCIDENTS In 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 employee in getting to proper medical facilities. Where the seriousness of an injury is in question, the supervisor and/or the Company reserve the...

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Spending Review must support innovation to improve resilience and cut carbon emissions

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Lewis Hamilton and the Academy announce the board members of The Hamilton Commission

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Weekly Toolbox Talk: Employee Handbook - Part 1

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, they are also costly problems. While it is recognized that occasional illness or personal reasons cause unavoidable absence or tardiness from work, regular on-time attendance is required for continued employment. Employees must call their supervisor or the office prior to 6:30 a....

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Academy welcomes 53 leading UK and international engineers as new Fellows

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Academy announces nine new Policy Fellows

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Weekly Toolbox Talk: Hand Tools Safety

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 hand tools. Choose the right tool for the right job. Use only tools in good condition – no tools with cracked or broken handles,...

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Immigration and the Construction Industry

Center for Houston’s Future hosted a conversation with Loren Steffy about his new book with Stan Marek, Deconstructed: An Insider’s View of Illegal Immigration and the Building Trades. Illegal immigration is one of the most challenging issues facing America. Histrionics rule the day, and the debate over what to do about the estimated eleven million undocumented workers in the country has become bitter and divisive. Immigrants have long been the source of America’s economic strength. Yet our...

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Academy recognises pioneering engineers’ leading innovations from polymers to medical devices

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Six top university engineers funded to collaborate with industry on world-leading research

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‘I Was Too Big a Target’ — ICE’s Audit of Marek Exposes Our Irrational Immigration Policies

The following article was authored by Loren C. Steffy and originally published in the Houston Chronicle. On a Monday morning in 2009, the phone chirped on Stan Marek’s desk, and he snapped up the receiver. On the other end, the front-desk receptionist sounded nervous. Half a dozen men in dark windbreakers had filed into the lobby moments earlier and demanded to see the owner of the company. They looked like FBI agents, she said. The company Stan runs with his two cousins was founded by...

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Weekly Toolbox Talk: Safety Stand Down - Slips, Trips and Falls (Fall Prevention)

Note to Supervisors: Read and prepare. Your objective is to point out the dangers of the most common – AND PREVENTABLE – causes of serious accidents. Explain practices to help avoid these types of accidents. You should hold this meeting on the floor so you can move around and point out and identify possible slip, trip and fall hazards. We have all experienced slipping, tripping, stumbling or falling. Usually the only result is that you feel silly, embarrassed, and perhaps got a scrape or...

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Rational Middle Podcast: Payroll Fraud, Worker Misclassification and ID & Tax Explained

The following article was authored by Charles Frantes. On a recent Rational Middle podcast, Executive Producer Loren Steffy spoke with Mark Erlich, a Wertheim Fellow of Research on Misclassification and the Underground Economy at the Harvard Law School and former union leader. They examined payroll fraud and worker misclassification in the construction industry and discussed ID and Tax as a solution. Payroll fraud involves illegal practices committed intentionally by employers to avoid...

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First woman to win the Africa Prize for Engineering Innovation

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First woman to win the Africa Prize for Engineering Innovation

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Weekly Toolbox Talk: 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 deadly.WATCH OUT FOR WINDDon't let the wind catch you off guard. I'm not just thinking of tornadoes or hurricanes, but of everyday winds and unexpected gusts. Wind just loves...

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Join Center for Houston’s Future for a Conversation on "Deconstructed: An Insider’s View of Illegal Immigration and the Building Trades"

Please join Center for Houston’s Future on Wednesday, September 9, for a conversation with Loren Steffy about his new book with Stan Marek, Deconstructed: An Insider’s View of Illegal Immigration and the Building Trades. Illegal immigration is one of the most challenging issues facing America. Histrionics rule the day, and debate over what to do about the estimated eleven million undocumented workers in the country has become bitter and divisive.  Immigrants have...

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Interdisciplinary APEX Awards: 2020 recipients announced and 2021 round now open

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Weekly Toolbox Talk: 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 doesn’t have a chance to do as much damage as it could. One way to eliminate slip- ping hazards is to sweep water out of low areas used as passageways on worksites. WATCH OUT...

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Africa Prize selects 2020 finalists ahead of virtual event

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Weekly Toolbox Talk: War on Falls - Ladder Safety

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 efficiently. Accidents involving ladders are usually caused by improper selection, care, or use, rather than design or manufacturing defects. Some...

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Academy announces engineering awards for transformative work during the COVID-19 pandemic

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Weekly Toolbox Talk: 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 his duties, today we are reviewing with all employees, the responsibilities of supervisors and employees to report accidents. The first and primary responsibility for accident reporting falls to the employee. If you...

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Weekly Toolbox Talk: Housekeeping and Trash Removal

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 and less productive working environment. Keeping a construction site clear of debris can significantly reduce the probability of accidents and...

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C3 Educational Partnerships and Talent Pipelines

The following article was authored by Angela Robbins and originally published on Construction Career Collaborative. I love school. Those closest to me might even say it is one of my favorite places.  Schools are full of potential, dreams, and hope for the future. They are alive with possibility. They represent the pipeline of future workforce applicants. They are our supply chain. Fortunately, my position at Construction Career Collaborative (C3) affords me plenty of...

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Weekly Toolbox Talk: Shortcuts

All of us have exposed ourselves to possible injury by taking shortcuts when a few extra seconds would have meant doing something the safe way. We did this as children when we jumped the fence instead of using the gate. We do it today when we cross streets between intersections instead of at corners. Many people show disregard for the fact that minor safety violations may have serious consequences. If any of you are in the habit of taking shortcuts, you must break that habit now! In our line...

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Strong results so far for Academy programme to enhance diversity of the UK engineering workforce

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Weekly Toolbox Talk: Tools and Equipment

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 get the work done safely. Do not bring any personal equipment such as extension cords, ladders, scaffold, and powder-actuated tools to the...

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Weekly Toolbox Talk: COVID-19 Face Mask

While CDC recognizes that wearing cloth face coverings may not be possible in every situation, we would like to point out a few examples on how to continue using your face covering in a safe manner. For example, On jobsites, wear a face covering over your nose and mouth. If you are performing a task requiring a respirator, face shield, or equivalent PPE according to MAREK safety guidelines, be sure to wear the appropriate PPE. A cloth face covering (such as a bandana) or surgical...

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Weekly Toolbox Talk: Fighting

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 fighting is simple: if you get into a fight on the job or while on company property, you will be disciplined. At the very least, all parties...

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Weekly Toolbox Talk: Fall prevention/ Fall protection

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. I. 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, unanticipated descent in space driven by gravity”. Although this may not sound severe, the consequences are often disabling - or deadly. It...

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Weekly Toolbox Talk: 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 minor abrasions to concussions, blindness, or death. How to Avoid Hazards? Wear hardhats. Stack materials to prevent sliding, falling, or collapse. Use protective measures...

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Weekly Toolbox Talk: Slips, Trips and Falls (Fall Prevention)

Note to Supervisors: Read and prepare. Your objective is to point out the dangers of the most common – AND PREVENTABLE – causes of serious accidents. Explain practices to help avoid these types of accidents. You should hold this meeting on the floor so you can move around and point out and identify possible slip, trip and fall hazards. We have all experienced slipping, tripping, stumbling or falling. Usually the only result is that you feel silly, embarrassed, and perhaps got a scrape or...

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Who Will Rebuild After the Next Storm? Undocumented Workers, Unless We Break the Current Cycle

With the start of hurricane season, a reporter called to ask if we have the labor to rebuild from a major storm. My answer was immediate: No. Not even close. We still haven’t recovered from the last major storm — Harvey — because of a severe labor shortage in construction. Much has happened in the ensuing three years that has made the labor shortage more acute. Just months before Harvey, our Texas legislature passed Senate Bill 4, the “show me your papers” law, which, after a legal challenge...

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Weekly Toolbox Talk: War on Falls

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 understanding what is expected. Here are some of the reasons that have been documented through past violations: I just forgot I was just going to be...

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Engineering a resilient future after the COVID-19 pandemic

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Weekly Toolbox Talk: 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. Half a job or inadequate or incomplete jobs of covering holes in the floor. Why did it happen? Although originally nailed down with 8d concrete nails, a small piece of plywood over the hole wasn’t large enough to overlay it adequately. Traffic over it sprung the plywood and loosened...

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Weekly Toolbox Talk: COVID-19 Jobsite Guidance

This guidance is based on what we currently know about COVID-19 as provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. There is currently no vaccine to prevent COVID-19. The best way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed to the virus. Everyday Prevention • Wash your hands often. Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60 percent alcohol if soap and water is not available...

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Academy launches Project CARE to support engineering innovation to fight COVID-19 in Africa

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Management: Hiring and Compensation Strategies

The following article was authored by David C. Phillips and originally published in AWCI's Construction Dimensions magazine. A recent survey of the construction industry revealed that the biggest concerns among contractors for 2020 are not a lack of work, but worker quality and worker shortages, which can result in companies walking away from projects due to lack of manpower. We asked our members to share their front-line insights, personal observations, strategies and successful approaches...

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Weekly Toolbox Talk: 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. However, because many men were exposed to heat in the workforce, the annual death rate is 2 times higher in men than in women.In general, the human body cools itself by producing sweat. Sweat evaporating...

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Weekly Toolbox Talk: Fall Arrest Pre-Use Inspection

ANSI and OSHA do not reference a maximum service life for synthetic fiber products. ANSI and OSHA standards require that the user remove the equipment from service if it has been subject to the forces of arresting a fall. ANSI A10.32-2012 does not specify a 5-year harness and lanyard service life. It states that "fall protection equipment shall be removed from service upon evidence of defects, damage or deterioration; once it has been subjected to impact loading; or upon expiration of the...

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Weekly Toolbox Talk: 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 only helps you if you drink it. Sports Drinks Sports drinks don't hydrate better than water, but you are more likely to drink larger volumes, which leads to better...

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National Engineering Policy Centre to provide advice to government on reaching net zero emissions

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Weekly Toolbox Talk: Material Handling and Hand Safety

Sharp edges and puncture hazards  When you are handling metal, remember the sharp rolled edges. Every employee gets relaxed around metal: when you see your co-workers do this, remind them about the sharp edges. Many hand lacerations are caused by carelessness - losing your grip and not wearing gloves (PPE) while handling metal framing, trash and grid. The hazard is there when we are stocking, installing or cleaning up. Always use gloves when handling any kind of metal. Keep in mind the...

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The Gift of Ralph Marek

The following tribute to Ralph Marek was authored by Pat Kiley, a managing director with FMI, founding principal of Kiley Advisors LLC, and served as chief staff executive for AGC Houston. Our Houston AGC Chapter and the entire construction industry stands today in sacred silence, saluting the accomplished life of Ralph Marek. This remarkable man died Saturday morning, April 25, 2020; he was 95. His presence in our industry made us all stand taller in this community. His presence in our lives...

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Weekly Toolbox Talk: Shortcuts

All of us have exposed ourselves to possible injury by taking shortcuts when a few extra seconds would have meant doing something the safe way. We did this as children when we jumped the fence instead of using the gate. We do it today when we cross streets between intersections instead of at corners.  Many people show disregard for the fact that minor safety violations may have serious consequences. If any of you are in the habit of taking shortcuts, you must break that habit now! In...

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Seeking 'Engineers in the Making': Academy sets engineering challenges children can do at home

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Academy launches online events programme

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Weekly Toolbox Talk: Wear Eye Protection Properly

We have talked about eye protection many times in the past. There is no question of 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 wear safety glasses. In fact, many eye injuries occur when safety glasses are being used. Today, we want to look at different ways eye injuries...

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Essential and Undocumented: The Face of the Recovery

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott recently issued an order identifying industries considered essential during this pandemic. I was pleased that he included construction on the list. Construction has been my career and my passion for my entire life. My father and uncles — descendants of Czech immigrants — founded our company more than 80 years ago. Since then, we have participated in projects big and small all over Texas and across much of the country. We have recruited and trained thousands of workers,...

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Weekly Toolbox Talk: 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 unsafe conditions. In truth, much of the safety of employees lies in their hands. So think straight, follow safe procedures and you don’t have to worry about hurting...

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The Craft Workforce - Pride in Being Essential

The following article was authored by Chuck Gremillion, Executive Director of Construction Career Collaborative: During these trying times created by the COVID-19 virus, it struck me just how important the construction industry is, and specifically the craft workers that build our structures. It is not a coincidence that those that make up the construction industry are considered essential along with first responders, healthcare workers, and grocery store employees, among others. The people...

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Weekly Toolbox Talk: Essential Business

Construction work is considered and essential business, as our industry is responsible for keeping, highways, office buildings, hospitals, chemical plants, schools, churches, arenas and shopping centers. As the situation keeps developing, we will continue to review all official government orders and updates. Your supervisor will advise you on the specifics in your location as new information becomes available. Jobsite Safety Guidelines Wash your hands often with soap and water for at...

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Weekly Toolbox Talk: COVID-19 Action Plan 2

WATER BOTTLE USE  Experts don't believe your reusable water bottle can spread the virus. But you should definitely be cleaning it diligently, regardless of an outbreak. Prior to drinking from a newly water bottle, be sure to inspect that the seal beneath the cap is secure and not broken.  Use your plastic water bottle for water only do not filled them up as other liquids can degrade the plastic more quickly.  Do not remove the label, if the label falls up, drink...

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Academy responds to novel coronavirus and calls for ideas

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Weekly Toolbox Talk: COVID-19 Action Plan

This guidance is based on what we currently know about COVID-19 as provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.SYMPTOMSSymptoms include fever, cough, and shortness of breath – similar to influenza or a bad cold.PREVENTIONWash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60 percent alcohol if soap and water is not available.Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.Avoid close contact...

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MAREK Dallas Attends and Sponsors 2020 AIA I TEXO Economic Update

MAREK Dallas recently attended and was the networking sponsor for the 2020 AIA I TEXO Economic Update held at Edison’s in Dallas. Anirban Basu, Chairman and CEO of Sage Policy Group presented a national economic overview for 2020. Mike Rosa, Senior Vice President of the Dallas Regional Chamber’s economic development program, led a local economic discussion followed by a Q&A. The presentations by Mr. Basu and  Mr. Rosa were excellent, and the event had a great turnout of...

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Stream the Rational Middle Podcast

The Rational Middle podcast hosts Chris Lyon and Loren Steffy — with the help of immigration attorneys Charles Foster and Jacob Monty — dive into America’s troubled history of employment verification, workforce recruiting, education, misclassification, and the subsequent impacts on our workforce. They also discuss potential pathways to a solution.Click to take a listen.Rational Middle is a platform for discussion that focuses on creating real change in the immigration system by creating a...

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Academy welcomes budget announcements on infrastructure and research

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Weekly Toolbox Talk: 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 are that will result in suspension, we will recap the WAR ON FALLS safety violations that will result in a minimum two-day suspension.LADDERSStanding on the top or first step of a ladderWalking a ladderStanding on the backside of a portable ladder or standing while facing away from the ladder.Straddling over the top or sitting on the...

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Weekly Toolbox Talk: Coronavirus

You most certainly have heard recent news stories about an outbreak of Coronavirus across the globe that generated in China, as well as the diagnosis of a small number of related cases here in the United States.While the news stories can provide useful information, their sensationalist tone can often frighten the listener and exacerbate concern. Following is the most recent information provided by the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on the virus—what you need to know...

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Engineering researcher’s non-invasive aid to monitoring pressure in the skull wins gold medal

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Academy funds three leading engineers to tackle major industry challenges

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Academy calls on engineering community to show young people how they can ‘Be the difference’

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Global shortage of engineering skills could put safety at risk, says new Engineering X report

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Significant culture change will be required for radical innovation to work in the UK, says Royal Aca

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Weekly Toolbox Talk: Hazard Analysis - Working Around Sprinklers or Electrical Areas

Electricity has long been recognized as a serious workplace hazard, exposing employees to such dangers as electrical shock, electrocution, fires and explosions. However when we talk about fires, is also important to mention that sprinkler systems are installed in projects to prevent fire breakouts inside buildings, but when these lines with high-pressure water are broken, the sprinkler lines can also turn into catastrophic damage for property and equipment. Therefore we have developed the...

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Weekly Toolbox Talk: Employee Handbook - Part III

DISCIPLINARY POLICY All companies, no matter what their business, have certain rules of behavior, which must be observe 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, infractions such as the ones listed below will result in such action, which may be in the form of a verbal warning, written warning, suspension,...

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National Engineering Policy Centre holds one-year anniversary plenary

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Old Solution Offers New Potential in Developing a Well-Qualified Workforce

How do you get a job without the right skills or credentials? How do you gain the right skills or credentials to get or succeed in a job if you can’t pay for the education needed to obtain them? From an employer’s perspective, how can you attract eager workers, ensure they develop the skills they need, observe their suitability for long-term employment, and see a return on your investment?These questions underscore an urgency within the workforce, especially within the construction industry....

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Weekly Toolbox Talk: Employee Handbook - Part II

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 employee in getting to proper medical facilities.Where the seriousness of an injury is in question, the supervisor and/or the Company reserve the right to...

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Putting Talent First: Helping to Make Houston a Great Global City in the 21st Century

MAREK is one of 200 plus UpSkill Houston partners working collaboratively to ensure Greater Houston has the skilled workforce to advance our region’s global competitiveness while creating pathways to opportunity for area residents. We encourage our fellow employers to join us in this critical initiative.The following article was authored by Peter Beard, Senior Vice President of Regional Workforce Development at Greater Houston Partnership and originally published on UpSkill Houston's blog.More...

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Weekly Toolbox Talk: Employee Handbook - Part 1

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 tardiness from work, regular on-time attendance is required for continued employment.Employees must call their supervisor or the office prior to 6:30 a.m. to...

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Weekly Toolbox Talk: Sprains and Strains

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 warm-up exercises before work and after breaks reduces strain and sprain type injuries.These rules are:Warm up before performing physical taskStretch when starting work, after breaks and lunchGet help if the task requires itPush whenever possible, don’t...

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Engineering gender pay gap in the UK less than feared, but still requires action

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MAREK Announces Senior Leadership Promotions for Houston Commercial Division

MAREK announces the promotion of Phil Nevlud to Division President of its Houston commercial construction business. Jorge Rodriguez is promoted to Managing Director of Field Production and George Kissamis is promoted to Managing Director of Estimating and Project Management. This team will lead sales and project management as well as construction project delivery across all of MAREK’s commercial service lines: core and tenant drywall, acoustical ceilings, paint, specialty finishes, fabric...

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2020 good for construction in Houston, but more jobs and workers are needed

The following excerpt was taken from an article in KTRH posted by Audrey Morton:Marek Construction Companies CEO Stan Marek said the construction industry will be extremely busy this year."The residential industry has a lot of multi-family and single-family housing coming up. The medical center has about over $4 billion worth of work planned for the next 18 months," said Marek.He said highway construction will be busy. However there will be a continuation of construction starts of new...

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Academy President comments on the Global Talent Visa announcement

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Mobile gadget library for schools wins audience vote for Martin Bruce at Africa Prize Live

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Weekly Toolbox Talk: Eyes Are Priceless

Let's take a quick test. How many basic senses do we have at birth? Name them. Is it one.... two.... four? I'm sure we all agree the answer is FIVE. These five senses are SIGHT, HEARING, TASTE, TOUCH and SMELL.If you were faced with sacrificing four of these five basic senses, which ones would you keep? Most people would keep their sense of SIGHT. Yet on so many occasions, we treat this most priceless possession too lightly. The value of our sight cannot be measured.The eye is like a camera....

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Women in Construction & MAREK Being a Part of the Ever-Changing Workplace Relationships in Construction

The following blog post was written by Grace Johnson, Safety Advisor at MAREK's Houston location.I was recently given the opportunity by MAREK, along with one of our Field Foreman, Jaime Ramos to participate on a discussion panel hosted by the AGC Houston. The panel consisted of 6 individuals both male and female, discussing the obstacles women face in the construction industry and how we (individually and as an industry) can move forward to co-exist and create a better future. Almost 100...

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Weekly Toolbox Talk: Workplace Distraction

When we do accident investigations, a lot of times we’ll find injuries can be attributed to some type of distraction.Although it may not be possible to eliminate distractions, experts say steps can be taken to minimize them and recognize when they occur.Different types of distractionsWhen people are distracted, they are not paying attention and fail to see hazards, which can lead to injuries.A major distraction is the need to get the job done quickly. When employees become fixated on completing...

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Behind the Build: Interview with Shannon Davis, Learning and Development Lead, MAREK

The following interview with MAREK's Learning and Development Lead, Shannon Davis, was conducted by Alyssa Jaber and originally published in Autodesk's construction blog.Pop quiz: What’s the most valuable resource in construction? If your answer is a specific building material, process, or even technology, you’d be incorrect. Construction’s most valuable resource: people. At this very moment, millions of individuals are working around the clock and impacting how our world is...

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Weekly Toolbox Talk: 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 his duties, today we are reviewing with all employees, the responsibilities of supervisors and employees to report accidents.The first and primary responsibility for accident reporting falls to the employee. If you are...

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Academy Fellows recognised in New Year Honours 2020

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