September 25, 2024

Struck-by falling objects and flammable gases and vapors

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 our safety services support center at 844-WORKSAFE (967-5723) or safety@texasmutual.com.

In this alert:

• Struck-by falling objects
• Flammable gases and vapors

Struck-by falling objects

An employee was working below a large beam that unexpectedly fell onto them. In a separate incident, a heavy structure was being lifted. One of the lifting chains broke and fell on an employee, who was, unfortunately, fatally wounded.

Struck-by incidents involving falling objects can occur in various industries and can result in severe injuries or fatalities. It’s crucial for all employees to be aware of potential hazards and follow proper safety procedures to prevent such incidents.

• Inspect your work area and equipment before beginning any job tasks to identify potential hazards.
• Ensure that loads and materials are stacked and secured properly and make sure not to walk beneath any suspended load.
• Wear appropriate personal protective equipment, such as hard hats, eye protection and steel-toed boots, especially below objects that could fall.
• Stop work immediately if any unsafe conditions are observed.

Flammable gases and vapors

While cleaning out a large storage tank that had contained flammable liquids, an employee began using a grinder on a piece of metal. The sparks from the grinder ignited flammable vapors inside the tank, causing an explosion. In another incident, an employee reported a gas odor in the work area, but a co-worker proceeded to ignite a welding torch, which caused a fatal explosion.

Flammable gases and vapors can ignite quickly, leading to dangerous fires or explosions. Recognizing hazards and taking appropriate precautions is essential for maintaining a safe work environment.

• Always check for flammable gases or vapors before using equipment that could create sparks or flames.
• Use proper gas detection equipment in areas where flammable gases may be present.
• Investigate any reported gas odors thoroughly before starting with work.
• Ensure proper ventilation in areas where flammable gases or vapors may accumulate.
• Follow all safety protocols and permit requirements for activities that involve heat, sparks or flames, such as welding, cutting or grinding.

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 (189KB) version of the September Safety Alert.