September 24, 2025

Driver training and struck-by equipment injuries

Traffic safety cones

As a service to our policyholders, Texas Mutual shares serious workplace injury trends based on catastrophic injuries and fatalities reported to our claims department. Not all of these reported injuries are covered by workers’ compensation insurance, but our goal is to help you ensure these types of incidents do not happen in your workplace. Find safety tips below to help keep your employees safe on the job.

If you have questions, we encourage you to contact us at 844-WORKSAFE (967-5723) or safety@texasmutual.com.

In this alert:

  • Driver training
  • Struck-by equipment injuries

Driver training

While hauling materials to a customer, an employee’s vehicle left the roadway and overturned. According to the official crash report, the employee was not wearing a seat belt at the time of the accident.

This incident shows the serious risks employees face when driver training is not followed or kept up to date. Regular, documented training is essential for anyone who operates a vehicle as part of their job. New employees need orientation and job training before working alone so they fully understand all safety procedures.

  • Complete all required driver training sessions and refreshers.
  • Review safety procedures before starting a new driving assignment.
  • Report any concerns about vehicle safety or road conditions to your supervisor.
  • Wear your seat belt every time you get in a vehicle with no exceptions.
  • Adjust your driving to match current road and weather conditions.

Struck-by equipment injuries

Injuries can happen quickly when working with heavy materials and tools. In one case, an employee had their fingers smashed between a piece of steel and the floor. In another incident, a piece of pipe rolled over an employee’s finger, causing it to break.

These incidents show how quickly hands and fingers can be caught, crushed or broken by falling or rolling equipment when proper precautions are not taken. Staying alert and using safe handling techniques can help prevent injuries caused by loose equipment.

  • Wear gloves and other required protective gear for the task.
  • Always keep your hands and feet clear of moving or suspended equipment.
  • Use the correct lifting and moving techniques to control heavy objects.
  • Do not place fingers or hands under loads or near pinch points.
  • Report damaged or unstable equipment right away.

Get free safety resources

Texas Mutual policyholders have access to thousands of free training materials in our multimedia safety resource center, including our safety catalog with up-to-date resources.

To access the free materials, log in to your texasmutual.com account and select Safety. If you need help accessing safety resources or you have a safety question, call us toll-free at 844-WORKSAFE (967-5723).

Download a PDF (1.17 MB) version of the September Safety Alert.

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