Category: Workplace Accidents

It’s been nearly a month since an explosion at the Husky Oil Refinery in Superior, Wisconsin injured 20 people and forced an evacuation of a nearby town. However, the signs of the explosion can still be easily seen as the U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board (CSB) tries to determine the exact cause of the explosion. While it will take some time to determine the cause, the explosion reminds oil and gas workers across the country that their industry is inherently dangerous.

Texas drivers are no strangers to roadwork. As the state continues to repair and expand its roads, drivers need to remember to use extra caution when driving through work zones. The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) reports that the number of work zone fatalities last year increased 9% over the previous year.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is the federal agency regulating and enforcing laws designed to protect our nation’s workers. Employers are required to submit reports when on-the-job accidents and injuries occur, and OSHA carefully monitors these reports to identify unsafe workplaces. However, this system only works when employers comply, and according to the agency, the majority of worksites didn’t submit their annual injury and illness logs for 2016.

Last week, a chemical plant in Hood County caught fire, causing injuries to several workers and at least one fatality. While authorities are not yet sure what caused the chemical plant explosions, the resulting fire caused toxic plumes of smoke to be visible for miles.

Roofers have one of the most dangerous jobs in the construction industry, and it’s not just because they’re working from heights. Roofing exposes workers to a variety of risks, so proper safety precautions must be taken in order to keep roofers safe.

Regardless of the industry or type of job, all workers are entitled to a safe workplace. Employers in more dangerous industries like construction or manufacturing need to take extra steps to protect their employees from harm. Unfortunately, some of the most dangerous conditions for workers are not obvious, and can even be hidden in plain sight.

Texas is no stranger to extreme weather, and in Lubbock, people who work outside need to always be alert to weather coming their way. Tornadoes are one of the most dangerous natural disasters workers face, and special precautions need to be taken to ensure workers stay safe.

Weather can often be unpredictable, so people need to prepare for extreme weather in order to prevent accidents and injuries. In Lubbock, extreme weather can include hail, tornados, dangerous droughts, and more. As we get closer to a hot Texas summer, it is important for employers to ensure all employees are properly educated about preventing wildfires and are informed about safety procedures should a wildfire start.