May 20, 2026
Preventing burns and crushing hazards
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:
- Preventing burns
- Crushing hazards
Preventing burns
An employee was refueling a work truck when gasoline vapors ignited near the still-hot engine, resulting in burn injuries to their arm. In a separate incident, an employee suffered serious burns after being exposed to an arc flash while working near energized electrical equipment.
These incidents serve as critical reminders that even routine tasks like refueling a vehicle can turn deadly in an instant. Employees at every level must treat all energy sources with caution and follow established safety procedures without exception.
- Turn off engines and let them fully cool before refueling any vehicle or equipment.
- Refuel vehicles in well-ventilated areas, away from ignition sources and hot surfaces.
- Only authorized, trained employees may work on or near energized electrical equipment.
- Before starting any task involving hazardous energy, assess the hazards and follow all safety procedures
- Wear personal protective equipment (PPE), including arc-rated clothing, when working near electrical hazards.
Crushing hazards
A crew was working in a trench when it suddenly collapsed, trapping and injuring employees beneath the ground. In a separate incident, an employee accidentally released a machinery control, causing materials to shift and crush them between objects. Both incidents were preventable with proper awareness and established safety procedures.
These incidents are stark reminders that excavation and equipment hazards can develop instantly and without warning. Stay vigilant, follow established safety procedures and never hesitate to stop work and speak up if something doesn't look right. Your awareness could save a life.
- Conduct a hazard assessment before every task, no matter how routine.
- Inspect trenches for appropriate protection before entering; never work in an unprotected excavation.
- Keep personnel clear of trench walls and never exceed safe entry limits without protective systems.
- Never operate lifting equipment without fully understanding all controls, including foot pedals.
- Ensure other employees are clear before operating any machinery that moves or lifts materials.
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 May Safety Alert.