March 25, 2026
Machinery hazards and head injuries
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:
- Machinery hazards
- Head injuries
Machinery hazards
Recently, two separate incidents involving machinery resulted in serious workplace injuries. In one case, an employee’s clothing became entangled in moving equipment, with tragic results. In another, an employee entered a machine to clear a jam, and the equipment unexpectedly started up while the employee was still inside.
These events illustrate the severe hazards posed by moving equipment and underscore the importance of safe work practices around machines. Entanglement and unexpected machine start-ups are leading causes of injury and fatality in industrial environments. Failure to properly control energy sources, safeguard moving parts or wear appropriate work attire can have life-changing consequences
- Always wear fitted clothing and secure long hair before working near machinery.
- Never remove, bypass or tamper with machine guards or safety devices.
- Use lockout/tagout procedures every time equipment maintenance or clearing is required.
- Double-check that all energy sources are isolated before approaching or entering machinery.
- Immediately report damaged safeguards or unsafe conditions to your supervisor.
Head injuries
Serious head injuries can happen instantly. In one recent situation, an employee lost their balance while unloading materials, causing objects to fall and strike their head. In another case, a machinery operator modified equipment to pass under a low structure. While in motion, the equipment unexpectedly shifted, leading to a severe head impact with an overhead beam.
These incidents highlight the critical importance of protecting ourselves from head injuries in the workplace. Head injuries can have severe or even fatal consequences. Factors such as unsecured loads, unsafe modifications to equipment and working near low clearances all increase the risk. It is essential to follow safe work practices and always use the proper protective gear.
- Always wear approved hard hats or helmets in areas where there is a risk of falling or being struck by loose
objects overhead. - Secure loads properly and use caution when unloading or handling heavy materials.
- Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for any modifications to machinery.
- Check your surroundings and watch for low clearances or hazards before starting work.
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 (1.12 MB) version of the March Safety Alert.