Texas construction workplaces experienced fewer injuries in 2024, marking a positive trend according to Texas Mutual Insurance Company’s latest 2024 workplace safety trends report. Despite construction remaining the industry with the most injuries, the report highlighted a 20% decrease in injury claims compared to 2023.

Eric Bourquin, Vice President of Safety Services at Texas Mutual, explained that the decline in injuries is not unexpected. “With a strong economy, if you go to Midland-Odessa, if you go around Texas, you’ll see lots of construction—commercial, residential, oil, and gas,” Bourquin said. This boom in construction activity across the state has led to the overall reduction in injury claims.

Struck-by Accidents and Job Site Safety

Among the contributing factors to this decline in injuries are ongoing safety innovations. Texas Mutual noted the rise of onboard cameras and object detection systems, which help manage and avoid struck-by accidents, one of the leading causes of injury on construction sites. Simple, low-tech solutions are also making a significant difference in mitigating risks associated with machine blind spots.

Despite the reduction in injuries overall, some sub-sectors, such as framing contractors, reported a 200% increase in injury claims. Bourquin attributes most of these claims to slips, trips, and falls from heights. “We are seeing more claims from these types of accidents, particularly in the framing segment of the construction industry,” he said.

Serious Injuries and Fatalities Decline Across Industries

In addition to the drop in construction injuries, severe injuries, including fatalities, also decreased by 13% in 2024. “That’s fantastic news,” said Bourquin, speaking to the impact of serious accidents on both employers and their employees’ families. Notably, the mining sector, including oil and gas operations, saw a 24% reduction in serious injuries. However, Bourquin noted that the majority of fatalities in the oil and gas industry were related to vehicle accidents rather than incidents involving heavy machinery. “Passenger vehicles that come in contact with trucks that are stopped, turning, or changing lanes,” Bourquin explained, citing the high number of such accidents.

Challenges in Other Sectors

While construction injuries decreased, other sectors such as hospitality experienced a rise in claims, with a 41% increase in injury claims. Interestingly, over 40% of these claims came from employees who had been with their employers for one to six years. The report also highlighted a troubling trend in burn and scald injuries, where there was no reduction in the number of claims. In fact, injuries among employees with less than one year of experience involving direct contact with fire or flame saw a 67% increase.

Looking Ahead: Strategies for Safer Workplaces

Looking ahead to 2025, Texas Mutual plans to take a multi-pronged approach to further reduce workplace injuries. Bourquin emphasized that the company’s efforts will focus on maximizing the impact of safety interventions, especially for businesses both large and small.

Strategic partnerships will also play a significant role in Texas Mutual’s efforts to promote workplace safety. For instance, the company collaborates closely with the Permian Basin Road Safety Coalition and Midland College’s Risk Management Institute, providing grants and safety training for both young workers and those in need of refresher courses.

“We work with Midland College, Odessa College, and nine other colleges across the state. We provide them grants, and they’re well-equipped to get safety information out to young people starting out and to experienced workers who need refresher training,” Bourquin said.

In his advice to workers, Bourquin stressed the importance of focusing on the task at hand, slowing down, and minimizing distractions. “Things change daily, from technology to job descriptions, and work can be done easier, safer, and better,” he said.

As Texas continues to grow in its construction and energy sectors, the hope is that these safety trends will lead to even fewer injuries and fatalities, benefiting workers and employers alike.

Originally reported by Mella Mcewen in Construction Equipment.