December 30, 2024

Vehicle rollovers and slips on ice

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:

• Vehicle rollovers
• Slips on ice

Vehicle rollovers

An employee was transporting a heavy load in their truck. They approached a curve in the road and lost control, which resulted in the vehicle leaving the roadway and rolling over. In a separate incident, an employee was driving a work vehicle when a tire blew out. The driver lost control of the vehicle, which then rolled over.

Vehicle rollovers are among the most dangerous types of motor vehicle accidents, often resulting in severe injuries or fatalities. Proper vehicle maintenance, safe driving practices and vigilant attention to road conditions are essential in preventing these potentially catastrophic incidents.

• Conduct a thorough vehicle inspection, including checking tire pressure and tread depth, before each trip.
• Avoid all distractions while driving, including the use of mobile phones or other devices.
• Always adjust your speed for road conditions, especially when approaching curves or carrying heavy loads.
• Stay alert to changes in road conditions and weather that may affect vehicle handling.
• If you feel fatigued, pull over to a safe location and rest before continuing your journey.

Slips on ice

An employee was walking within their workplace and did not see ice on the floor. The employee slipped on the ice, which resulted in a serious injury. In an unrelated incident, an employee slipped on ice in the parking lot while walking to their building.

Ice-related slips can occur outdoors during winter weather and indoors as well. Employees may encounter ice in freezers, near ice-making equipment or in areas where cold items are stored or processed. Being aware of potential icy conditions and taking appropriate precautions are crucial for preventing these incidents in all settings where ice may form.

• Wear appropriate footwear with good traction when working or walking in areas where ice may be present.
• Use designated walkways and avoid taking shortcuts across potentially icy areas.
• Be especially cautious when entering or exiting buildings, as these areas often accumulate ice.
• Walk slowly and deliberately, taking short steps or shuffling for stability on icy surfaces.
• Report any icy conditions to supervisors immediately, whether indoors or outdoors.

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 (210KB) version of the December Safety Alert.