April 10, 2026
Power line hazards and workplace violence
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:
- Power line hazards
- Workplace violence
Power line hazards
An employee was working on an energized line when an arc flash caused an overhead line to break. The line struck the employee, resulting in fatal injuries despite immediate emergency response from co-workers. In a separate incident, an employee operating a forklift contacted overhead power lines and was fatally electrocuted.
These tragedies underscore the extreme danger of overhead power lines. Whether working directly with energized lines or operating equipment nearby, it’s important to follow safety procedures and stay alert.
- Conduct jobsite assessments to identify power line locations before starting work.
- Never assume a power line is de-energized until proper lockout/tagout procedures are confirmed.
- Always keep safe clearance distances from all overhead power lines.
- Use spotters when operating heavy equipment near overhead power lines.
- Establish a clear emergency action plan for power line contact incidents.
Workplace violence
In a recent tragic incident, multiple employees were fatally injured in an act of violence while performing routine duties at a remote jobsite. The incident also extended beyond the workplace, resulting in harm to a member of the community.
Workplace violence is an unpredictable and devastating reality that can occur in any industry or setting. Remote jobsites can be particularly vulnerable due to limited access to security resources and emergency response. While these events are difficult to predict, preparation and awareness can save lives. Every employee plays a role in fostering a safe work environment by staying alert and looking out for one another.
- Report any threatening behavior or warning signs to management immediately.
- Be aware of your surroundings and identify exit routes at jobsites.
- Participate in all offered workplace violence awareness and prevention training.
- Know your company’s workplace violence response plan.
- Never hesitate to call 911 if you feel unsafe at 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 April Safety Alert.