In observance of , trenching and excavation work lay the foundation for vital infrastructure projects, but the inherent risks demand serious attention. Cave-ins, falling debris, hazardous atmospheres, and equipment mishaps rank among the most significant dangers. According to the , trenching and excavation  some of the most hazardous construction activities, with cave-ins alone responsible for dozens of fatalities annually.

The good news? These risks are not only manageable but preventable with proper planning, adherence to safety protocols, and innovative technology.

What Makes it So Dangerous?

Trenching and excavation can  deceptive dangers. Major risks include:

• Cave-ins: Soil can per cubic yard, making collapses potentially fatal. 
• Falling hazards: Workers can fall into unprotected trenches, or loose soil and debris can fall on workers inside. 
• Hazardous atmospheres: Trenches may accumulate toxic gases or have low oxygen without proper ventilation. 
• Equipment-related risks: Heavy machinery near trench edges can destabilize walls or pose struck-by hazards. 

What Safety Planning Should Happen Before Any Excavation Begins?

Safety starts long before the first shovel hits the ground.

• Pre-job planning:  that a competent person evaluate the site, test soil stability, locate underground utilities, and establish safety protocols before work begins. 
• Locate utilities: Contact utility marking services (e.g., “Call Before You Dig” / 811) so underground fuel, electric, sewer, or water lines are identified. 
• Soil and atmospheric testing: Test soil for stability and trenches for hazardous atmospheres like low oxygen or toxic gas before workers enter. 
• Daily inspections: Trenches and protective systems should be inspected by a competent person at the start of each shift and after events like rain or heavy equipment activity. 

Identifying hazards early lets you plan protection strategies — and prevents many incidents before they happen.

What Protective Systems Are Required?

When a trench is deeper than five feet (unless it’s in stable rock), OSHA standards require to reduce cave-in risks. 

Common protective options include:

• Sloping: Cutting trench walls at an angle to reduce collapse potential. 
• Shoring: Installing supports (e.g., timber or hydraulic systems) to stabilize trench walls. 
• Shielding: Using trench boxes or shields to protect workers from cave-ins. 

These systems help ensure that soil or debris doesn’t trap workers as excavation progresses.

How Should Workers Enter and Exit Trenches?

Safe access and egress are critical — especially in emergencies.

• Trenches should have ladders, ramps, or stairs installed within 25 feet of workers. 
• Ramps and ladders must be properly designed and free of tripping hazards. 
• Using a competent person to evaluate and confirm these access points is essential. 

Quick and reliable exit routes can make all the difference if conditions change rapidly. 

How Can Technology Improve Safety?

Safety innovations are helping worksites detect hazards sooner and act faster:

• Real-time soil monitoring detects instability before it becomes a crisis. 
• Advanced trench boxes combine lightweight materials with stronger protection. 
• Ground-penetrating radar and GPS mapping improve utility location accuracy. 

What Ongoing Safety Practices Should Be Part of Every Job?

Best practices don’t stop once work begins. Here are some proactive safety measures you should implement to make your jobsite stronger and more resilient.

• Keep soil, materials, and equipment at least two feet from trench edges to avoid adding pressure that can trigger a collapse. 
• Monitor atmospheric conditions continuously in deeper excavations. 
• Train workers and supervisors on excavation hazards, recognition, and response. 
• Communicate risks daily, including weather impacts and changes in soil stability. 

Want Expert Support With Your Excavation Safety Program?

If your organization performs this type of work, a structured safety program can make all the difference in preventing injuries, minimizing liability exposure, and meeting regulatory requirements.

Partnering with risk and safety advisors — like those at ĚÇĐÄ´«Ă˝ — can help you assess your current processes, enhance planning and training, and strengthen your overall safety culture. Connect with an ĚÇĐÄ´«Ă˝ risk specialist today.

In recognition of , our latest workplace safety resource explores practical prevention strategies that can help teams recognize heat-related risks earlier and respond before conditions become dangerous. Federal nearly 34,000 serious heat-related workplace injuries and illnesses have occurred over the last decade alone, with construction and other physically demanding industries continuing to face elevated risk.

That same challenge carries across industries. On construction sites, in manufacturing facilities, and anywhere physically demanding work takes place, safer outcomes are often shaped by everyday decisions — how teams hydrate, recognize subtle warning signs, schedule recovery breaks, and look out for one another throughout the workday. And because within minutes if left untreated, early action matters.

Explore the full resource below for expert insights, prevention essentials, and practical first-aid response guidance designed to help support safer workplaces during the hottest months of the year.

Helping Teams Stay Safer

When an organization produces goods, the hope is that the products are fault-free. However, there may be instances when a product could become dangerous to the public and it’s the company’s responsibility to inform consumers about these risks.

This responsibility is referred to as the “duty to warn.” The duty to warn doctrine is based on the idea that consumers should be able to make informed decisions about whether to use a product. If a product is dangerous, the manufacturer has a duty to warn consumers about those dangers so they can make an informed decision about product usage.

I talk about this, among other important product liability topics, in the February 2026 Risk Management webinar presentation: .

Manufacturers must remember that the duty to warn includes products that are safe, designed and manufactured well, but normal function can still cause injuries. An obvious example is a chainsaw, but we also see warnings appearing on plastic bags, buckets or other seemingly innocuous items that may present a hazard to children.

Duty to warn covers reasonably foreseeable use and misuse. Inhaling aerosol propellants, for instance, could be considered reasonably foreseeable misuse.

Failing to warn, failing to instruct or issuing unclear warnings are among the leading allegations in product liability claims. 

• Failure to warn: No warnings are provided about a known risk.
• Failure to instruct: Instructions don’t clearly explain how to use the product safely or how to avoid foreseeable misuse.
• Inadequate warnings: Labels or manuals don’t clearly communicate the hazard or do so in a way the average user will understand. 

When warnings are inadequate, injured parties can argue that the product itself was defective because consumers weren’t informed about risks they could not reasonably anticipate.

The duty to warn is rooted in the legal principle of negligence — a failure to exercise reasonable care that causes harm to others. 

To establish negligence, a plaintiff generally must show that:

1. The defendant owed the plaintiff a duty of care.
2. The defendant breached that duty.
3. The plaintiff suffered harm as a result of the defendant’s breach.
4. The harm was caused by the defendant’s breach. 

In product liability cases based on duty to warn, a “breach” often involves failing to provide adequate warnings or instructions about risks that could have been reasonably identified through testing, research or industry standards.

There are two primary ways a business can satisfy its duty to warn:

1. Warnings on the Product Itself

Labels affixed directly to the product — especially when the user may not see packaging or manuals — need to be clear, conspicuous and understandable.

2. Warnings Through Supporting Materials

Instructions, manuals, safety guides and other product documentation can provide detailed guidance about how to safely use the product and avoid known risks. 

Effective warnings should:

• Describe the risk clearly,
• Be visible and easy to understand and
• Cover both intended use and reasonably foreseeable misuse.

ANSI Z535.4-2023 is a  on the design and content of safety warnings. The standard is not legally binding, but it is widely used by businesses to comply with their duty to warn. The standard is a valuable resource for businesses that want to ensure their warnings comply with their duty to warn. It covers a wide range of topics for warning labels, including purpose, type, content, format, placement and testing.

While ANSI Z535.4-2022 is not a legal document, it is often used as evidence in product liability lawsuits. If a plaintiff is injured by a product, it may be argued that the manufacturer failed to provide adequate warnings about the dangers of the product. If the manufacturer followed ANSI Z535.4-2022 in designing and developing the warnings, this may help defend the manufacturer against the lawsuit.

Overall, ANSI Z535.4-2022 is a valuable resource for businesses wishing to comply with the duty to warn. However, it is important to note that the standard is not a guarantee of safety or immunity from liability. The standard is only a guideline and there may be cases where a manufacturer can comply with the standard and still be found liable for a product liability lawsuit.

Duty to warn should be considered early and throughout the product lifecycle — not just at launch. 

A practical approach includes:

• During design and development: Identify intended use, target users and hazards.
• Before market release: Evaluate foreseeable misuse and develop warnings/labels accordingly.
• After product launch: Adjust warnings based on customer feedback, complaints or evidence of misuse. 

Organizations should document this process and continually reassess warnings as new information emerges.

Failure to warn can expose a company to liability even when the product itself is safe by design. Providing clear, effective warnings helps:

• Reduce risk of injury and liability claims
• Demonstrate reasonable care in product development
• Build customer trust and safety reputation
• Support defense in litigation by showing adherence to industry best practices

A strong duty-to-warn strategy is an essential component of an overall product liability risk management program.

If you manufacture or distribute products, taking a strategic approach to warnings and instructions can significantly strengthen your product safety posture.

Working with experienced risk advisors — like those at ĚÇĐÄ´«Ă˝ — can help you evaluate warning requirements, apply best practices and align your product liability program with real-world risks.

In his current role at ĚÇĐÄ´«Ă˝, Eric assists with the review of manufacturing accounts, the products produced, and coordinates with underwriting teams on potential issues identified, while helping to coach risk management consultants prior to visiting prospective accounts. Eric has been a featured speaker for the National Pool Builder’s Association meeting, providing safety instruction to company ownership personnel. Additionally, he created the widely successful . Eric was named ĚÇĐÄ´«Ă˝â€™s Loss Control Consultant of the Year in 2012 and 2023, and has been nominated for this honor two other times. He has been published in Safety and Health Magazine, as well SafetyInfo.com’s online magazine. 

The information provided in this article does not, and is not intended to, constitute legal advice; instead, all information, content, and materials contained in this article are for general informational purposes only. 

Winter safety conversations often begin — and end — with what we can see: icy sidewalks, snow-covered parking lots, slick roads. Those risks are real. But many of winter’s most disruptive workplace safety hazards don’t arrive with drama or visibility. They settle in quietly, embedded in familiar routines and indoor spaces where people spend most of their day.

What makes these hazards easy to overlook is also what makes them costly. They develop gradually, compound over time, and affect judgment, balance, and performance long before an incident occurs.

Here are six often overlooked cold-weather hazards — and why recognizing them matters.

1. Cold Stress and Slip Risks Don’t Stay Outside

Cold stress is often associated with outdoor crews, yet it can affect workers indoors as well — particularly in warehouses, manufacturing facilities, loading docks, and older buildings with inconsistent heating or frequent air exchange.

Prolonged exposure to cooler temperatures can reduce circulation, stiffen muscles, slow reaction time, and impair coordination, even when conditions don’t feel extreme. Because these effects develop gradually, they’re easy to dismiss until reduced dexterity and delayed responses increase the likelihood of strains, handling errors, or secondary incidents.

Winter hazards also tend to follow workers inside. Snow, slush, and moisture tracked through entrances can create slick conditions in lobbies, corridors, stairwells, and break areas — spaces that feel familiar enough to lower awareness. Surfaces that appear dry may still lack traction, particularly during peak traffic periods when mats shift, floors are cleaned frequently, or moisture accumulates unnoticed. consistently shows slips, trips, and falls remain one of the leading causes of workplace injuries involving days away from work, with winter conditions contributing to seasonal increases.

Effective winter workplace safety depends on recognizing how indoor conditions and routine traffic patterns change over time — and adjusting housekeeping, matting, lighting, and expectations before minor exposure turns into a preventable injury.

2. Dehydration Is a Winter Risk — Not a Summer One

Hydration often falls off the winter safety radar, yet occupational health research shows dehydration risk can increase in colder months. Workers lose fluids not only through sweat, but through respiration — and dry winter air accelerates that loss. Lower humidity, dry skin, and a diminished thirst response all contribute, the body’s ability to retain water and leaving many people chronically dehydrated through winter.

that dehydration can contribute to fatigue, reduced concentration, and higher injury risk, especially in physically demanding or safety-sensitive roles. Managing winter dehydration means treating hydration as a year-round safety control, reinforcing access, reminders, and expectations so fatigue and focus don’t quietly erode safe performance.

3. Carbon Monoxide Exposure Is a Quiet Winter Threat

Winter conditions increase the risk of , particularly as facilities seal up to retain heat and portable heaters, furnaces, generators, and idling vehicles are used more frequently. Carbon monoxide is colorless and odorless, and early symptoms such as headache, dizziness, and nausea are often mistaken for fatigue or illness, allowing exposure to continue longer than it should.

Federal and state safety agencies that enclosed or poorly ventilated spaces — including vehicle cabs, trailers, maintenance areas, and loading bays — are especially vulnerable during colder months. Snow-clogged exhaust systems can also cause carbon monoxide to accumulate inside running vehicles.

Because carbon monoxide doesn’t present obvious warning signs, it remains one of winter’s most dangerous and underestimated risks. Managing it effectively requires ventilation awareness, equipment maintenance, and monitoring practices that account for seasonal exposure changes — even in spaces that typically feel controlled.

4. Winter PPE Can Create New Challenges

Additional layers are essential in cold weather, but they can also interfere with movement, visibility, and grip if not evaluated carefully. Bulky clothing may restrict range of motion. Gloves can reduce dexterity. Face coverings can affect visibility or the fit of eye and head protection. emphasizes that personal protective equipment must function as a system, particularly when conditions require layering.

For flame-resistant or arc-rated clothing, improper layering can also compromise protection if moisture isn’t managed correctly or incompatible materials are worn together. Winter PPE should support the task at hand — not simply add layers — ensuring protection, mobility, and control work together rather than against one another.

5. UV Exposure Increases When Snow Is on the Ground

Ultraviolet (UV) exposure doesn’t disappear in winter — and in some environments, it intensifies. Snow can reflect up to , increasing exposure for outdoor workers, drivers, and equipment operators even on cold or overcast days.

Because workers are dressed for warmth, winter is often underestimated. Yet exposed areas such as the face, neck, ears, and hands remain vulnerable. Reflected UV rays can also contribute to eye strain and temporary vision impairment, affecting depth perception and situational awareness.

Managing winter UV risk means accounting for environmental reflection and visual strain in planning, reinforcing eye protection and awareness so glare and reduced visibility don’t compromise safe decision-making.

6. Fatigue Builds Faster in Winter

Shorter daylight hours, disrupted sleep patterns, and the added physical effort of working in cold conditions all contribute to . Over time, fatigue affects judgment, reaction time, and situational awareness. continues to link fatigue with increased injury risk across industries — particularly in roles requiring sustained attention, decision-making, or physical coordination.

Because fatigue develops quietly, it can be one of winter’s most underestimated risks. Managing it requires anticipating its cumulative impact — adjusting schedules, workload, and supervision so quiet declines in alertness don’t translate into errors, slowed reactions, or serious incidents.

Turning Awareness Into Action

What these hazards have in common is subtlety. They don’t always announce themselves, and they rarely feel urgent in isolation. But together, they shape how work unfolds throughout the winter season.

Organizations that manage winter risk effectively tend to reassess conditions regularly — indoors as well as outdoors — adjust expectations for pace and equipment performance, and reinforce awareness around cold stress and fatigue. They treat cold-weather workplace safety not as a checklist, but as an operational reality.

At ĚÇĐÄ´«Ă˝, Risk Management teams work alongside agents and policyholders to help identify these less visible exposures and translate them into practical, site-specific action — before winter conditions disrupt people or operations.

The information provided in this article does not, and is not intended to, constitute legal or financial advice; instead, all information, content, and materials contained in each article are for general informational purposes only.

Most workplace injuries don’t come from rare, catastrophic events. They often occur in familiar moments — climbing a ladder, servicing equipment, moving materials, or working at height on a busy day. When pace and routines speed up, even the strongest safety practices can lose focused attention.

That reality is reflected in this year. For the 15th straight year, fall protection leads the list, followed by hazards tied to everyday work across construction, manufacturing, and healthcare environments.

Taken together, these citations paint a clear picture of where risk continues to surface in routine work — not because safety is ignored, but because it can be challenged by changing conditions, time pressure, and familiarity.

Focused on Where Risk Shows Up

1. Fall Protection – 5,914
2. Hazard Communication – 2,546
3. Ladders – 2,405
4. Lockout/Tagout – 2,177
5. Respiratory Protection – 1,953
6. Fall Protection Training Requirements – 1,907
7. Scaffolding – 1,905
8. Powered Industrial Trucks – 1,826
9. Eye and Face Protection – 1,665
10. Machine Guarding – 1,239

These patterns align with broader national injury trends. Recent federal labor that falls, overexertion, and contact with equipment continue to account for a significant share of serious workplace injuries and days away from work — disrupting operations and affecting workers across industries.

Where Focus Becomes Action

Organizations that see progress treat this list as a working guide. They stay close to how tasks are performed, refresh training as conditions change, and reinforce expectations before issues arise. That might mean revisiting ladder setup and inspections after schedules shift, reinforcing lockout/tagout procedures during maintenance periods, or re-emphasizing fall protection as crews rotate or job sites evolve.

That same approach shapes ĚÇĐÄ´«Ă˝â€™s engagement across the safety landscape — including active participation alongside organizations like the (NSC), where emerging research, real-world data, and field-tested solutions help inform how safety is practiced — not just documented.

“OSHA’s Top 10 doesn’t surprise many of us—but it does remind us where risk continues to surface,” said Ashley Parker, Risk Management Manager at ĚÇĐÄ´«Ă˝. “Most hazards emerge in everyday work, not isolated events. When leaders pair national insights with what front-line workers are actually experiencing, prevention becomes proactive instead of just compliant.”

Looking Ahead

OSHA’s Top 10 list offers clarity — not as a compliance exercise, but as a reminder of where focused attention delivers the greatest return. Each category represents an opportunity to strengthen habits, protect people, and support steady operations. When prevention is built into how work actually happens, these insights help organizations focus their efforts where they matter most.

ĚÇĐÄ´«Ă˝â€™s Risk Management experts work alongside agents and policyholders to translate these insights into practical, site-specific action—drawing from field experience, national safety research, and like those outlined in OSHA’s construction and general industry regulations

To learn how ĚÇĐÄ´«Ă˝â€™s Risk Management team can help strengthen your safety program, reach out to your ĚÇĐÄ´«Ă˝ Risk Management expert.

Yet the businesses that fare best each winter aren’t simply lucky. They succeed because they prepare early, respond quickly, and build habits around treating winter slips and falls not as inevitabilities—but as preventable, manageable risks.

Below is a winter safety framework designed to empower organizations to stay ahead of the season, protect their people, and reinforce the kind of operational resilience that pays dividends long beyond the thaw.

Stronger Practices

1. An Emergency Response Team 

When winter weather shifts, the timing matters. Conditions can deteriorate in minutes, not hours, and risk escalates just as quickly. Organizations that designate a —even a small one—gain a decisive advantage.

This team monitors live updates from the and regional forecast offices, watching for winter storm warnings, freeze advisories, and wind chill alerts that directly correlate with elevated slip-and-fall hazards. Their role is simple but powerful: communicate early, activate protocols quickly, and give leadership real-time situational awareness.

“Winter safety starts long before anyone steps outside,” says Scott Pike, Risk Management Expertise Specialist at ĚÇĐÄ´«Ă˝.

“When your organization pays attention to the early indicators—dropping temperatures, shifting forecasts, the first signs of refreeze—you’re able to get ahead of the conditions instead of being caught off-guard. That kind of preparation isn’t complicated; it’s simply paying attention in a way that makes everyday movement safer for everyone.”

2. Winter-Ready Buildings

Ice doesn’t appear out of nowhere—it forms from runoff, refreeze, poor drainage, and unseen wear-and-tear. A seasonal inspection can reveal the small issues that create the biggest risks. A strong winter readiness check should cover:

• Handrails that stay steady when everything else is slick. Stable rails reduce injury severity and remain a core expectation within federal safety guidelines.
• Gutters and downspouts that move water away—not onto—walkways. Blocked or damaged gutters can send water straight onto walking paths, where it refreezes into black ice by dawn.
• Drains kept clear of leaves and debris. Clogged drains allow meltwater to pool across sidewalks and entryways, freezing into wide, nearly invisible sheets.
• Exterior lighting that turns dark corners into safe pathways. Adequate illumination is one of winter’s greatest risk-reducers, emphasized across federal and state safety recommendations.

These aren’t dramatic fixes—but they are deeply effective. Winter safety is strengthened long before the first snow arrives.

3. Snow & Ice Removal

When snow piles up, the clock starts. Delayed removal leads directly to injury spikes, access problems, and business disruptions. A strong winter safety program includes:

• Clear access for emergency crews: Hydrants, standpipes, and hose connections visible and unobstructed for rapid response. Snowdrifts shouldn’t hide lifesaving equipment.
• Salt, sand, and traction materials stocked at every entrance: Quick access to traction agents allows staff to address developing hazards before slip-and-falls occur.
• Well-maintained interior mats and clear “Wet Floor” signage: Water-absorbent mats can prevent the tracked-in meltwater that often leads to lobby falls. Curled or bunched mats—common in winter—should be replaced immediately to avoid trip hazards. Floor mats inside of doors that are saturated with water should be replaced often, and water on the floor around the mats should be mopped up regularly.
• Emergency exits: Emergency and secondary exits must be checked to make sure that ice on the exterior does not keep the door from opening. Sidewalks from emergency exits should be kept clear of ice and snow as this can slow emergency egress from the building.

These show-not-tell practices help employees and visitors see that safety is not an annual campaign—it’s a daily choice. Each action reinforces a culture where winter hazards are handled with intention, not reaction.

“Many winter slip-and-falls happen in the everyday areas of operation—entryways, curbs, loading zones, the walk from the parking lot,” Pike notes. “When these spaces are cleared, drained, and well-lit, people instinctively move with more confidence.”

“It’s not always about big interventions—it’s about the consistent care that prevents the small hazards from becoming bigger ones.”

Looking Ahead

Winter doesn’t have to weaken operations or morale. With a thoughtful plan, consistent inspections, and proactive mitigation, organizations can dramatically reduce slip-and-fall incidents and create safer, more confident pathways for employees and guests.

At ĚÇĐÄ´«Ă˝, we partner with businesses across construction, manufacturing, and healthcare to strengthen their winter safety strategies, reinforce day-to-day readiness, and build cultures that move with intention—even when the ground beneath them is unpredictable.

To explore more or connect with an ĚÇĐÄ´«Ă˝ Risk Management professional, visit our website.

The information provided does not, and is not intended to, constitute legal or financial advice; instead, all information, content, and materials contained in each article are for general informational purposes only.

For businesses with fleets, these aren’t abstract statistics. They’re daily realities that shape delivery schedules, workforce safety, claim frequency, and operational continuity. And yet, winter can also be navigated with confidence—when preparation meets practical strategy.

Five Essential Winter-Driving Safety Practices

Control Speed:

On slick pavement, control becomes a physics problem as much as a driving skill. that stopping distance increases dramatically on snowy or icy surfaces, making even small speed reductions a meaningful safety advantage. Slower acceleration, steady braking, and a balanced grip on the wheel give tires the friction they need to stay connected to the road—turning what could be a skid into a controlled correction.

“Winter driving isn’t about being overly cautious—it’s about being deliberately in control,” says Marcus Rasberry, Risk Management Manager at ĚÇĐÄ´«Ă˝. “Small adjustments in speed or pressure on the brake pedal can be the difference between a close call and a collision.”

Increase Following Distance:

Visibility and reaction time drop sharply during winter weather events and icy pavement can significantly delay vehicle response, which makes added for preventing collisions. Extending following distance to 8–10 seconds builds in the reaction time drivers lose to snow glare, plow spray, and sudden patches of ice. That buffer becomes an operating margin—space to brake safely, redirect around stopped vehicles, or adjust when traction shifts beneath the tires.

Winterize:

Mechanical readiness is one of a fleet’s strongest defenses against seasonal hazards. Pre-trip inspections take on heightened importance during winter because essential systems—defrosters, lights, wipers, cooling components— under cold stress. Clean headlights improve roadway visibility, strong wipers cut through freezing precipitation, and keeping tanks above half helps prevent fuel-line freeze-ups.

Equip a Winter Readiness Kit:

When conditions shift quickly, preparedness becomes protection. Recommended include simple but crucial tools: a snow shovel, broom, ice scraper, jumper cables, traction material like sand or cat litter, emergency flares, blankets, water, and nonperishable food. These items turn an unexpected delay—from a whiteout to a stuck tire—into a manageable pause rather than a crisis, giving drivers the resources to stay warm, visible, and connected until help arrives.

Stay Ahead of the Weather:

Some of winter’s most dangerous conditions are the ones drivers can’t immediately see. “,” a thin and nearly invisible glaze of frozen moisture, forms quickly when temperatures hover near freezing. Monitoring forecasts before departure helps drivers anticipate these hazards, while the National Weather Service’s provides insight into when cold exposure becomes a concern for drivers who exit their vehicles for inspections, secure loads, or assist at job sites.

“Awareness gives drivers an edge in winter,” Rasberry adds. “When you understand how fast conditions can change, you make smarter decisions—not just behind the wheel, but in the moments before and after every trip.”

Your Post-Trip Safety Inspection

Winter driving doesn’t end when the engine shuts off. The moments after a trip often reveal the hidden risks that accumulate mile by mile. A thoughtful walk-around gives drivers a chance to spot the issues that winter hides in plain sight. It’s a quick but powerful practice that reduces overnight freeze-ups, helps prevent morning breakdowns, and supports safer departures long before the next route begins. Drivers should look for:

• Ice buildup on lights, mirrors, steps, and wheel wells, which can reduce visibility and create slip points when entering or exiting the cab.
• Packed snow around tires, brakes, and undercarriage components — areas that can freeze solid overnight and interfere with braking systems the next morning.
• Cracks in lights or lenses caused by rapid temperature changes or road debris, especially during sub-freezing conditions when materials become more brittle.
• Damage from tire chains, including cuts in tires, bent fenders, or loosened components.
• Snow or slush covering safety sensors such as ABS modules, lane-assist cameras, and radar-based collision-avoidance systems—critical technologies highlighted across federal roadway safety resources for their role in preventing winter crashes.

This simple loop around the vehicle transforms winter from a source of unpredictability into an opportunity for control. It’s one more way to strengthen the safety chain—and one more example of how small habits, done consistently, help fleets move through winter with greater confidence and fewer surprises.

Looking Ahead

At ĚÇĐÄ´«Ă˝, we partner with employers across construction, manufacturing, and healthcare to help build resilient safety programs year-round. Winter may be unpredictable, but with the right strategies in place, your response doesn’t have to be. To explore more winter-weather safety insights—or to connect with an ĚÇĐÄ´«Ă˝ Risk Management professional — visit our website.

The information provided does not, and is not intended to, constitute legal or financial advice; instead, all information, content, and materials contained in each article are for general informational purposes only.

Those aren’t just numbers—they’re the measure of a company that has built safety into its foundation. In an industry where is a constant, has achieved something pretty extraordinary: more than two decades without a lost-time injury.

Let’s put that into perspective: That is over 3.2 million hours—1,150+ weeks, spanning 22 years—without a lost-time case. And if that weren’t impressive enough, Hood Construction has also logged nearly 400,000 additional hours—almost two years—without a single recordable incident. This prevention record represents significant savings, but the deeper value lies in workers returning home safe, day after day, year after year.

Building it the Right Way

When Mark Hood entered the construction business nearly four decades ago, he saw an industry somewhat at odds with itself. Contractors often spent more time competing with one another than collaborating, and too little attention was given to what clients truly needed.

He decided to take a different path, founding on a simple principle: Build it the right way, everything else will follow. His vision was to create a company where collaboration replaced competition, where people mattered as much as projects, and where safety was more than compliance—it was culture.

That decision has shaped the Hood Construction we know today—recognized for projects ranging from houses of worship to centers of learning, including some of South Carolina’s . Yet its most remarkable achievement is not measured in the brick and mortar, but in the safety and strength of its people. Mark Hood has built a company where employees stay and grow, where trade partners are treated as extensions of the team, and where collaboration drives not only great buildings, but lasting outcomes.

“What makes Hood unique is how safety is integrated into every level of the organization,” said Kevin Clary, ĚÇĐÄ´«Ă˝â€™s Vice President of Risk Management. “They don’t treat it as a box to check. It’s a culture of shared responsibility, reinforced through training, planning, and collective effort across the company. When safety is lived this way, results like theirs become possible.”

Building Safety, Building Trust

From the beginning, Hood Construction’s success was rooted in relationships built on trust and shared purpose. That approach carried from the jobsite into every aspect of the business, drawing in people who shared Mark Hood’s belief that safety and integrity are inseparable.

“A little over 35 years ago, I met with Mark Hood at a job site in Columbia, SC and wrote the first insurance policy for Hood Construction Company,” recalls John Babson, Insurance Sales Representative at . “We actually did all the paperwork on the hood of Mark’s pick-up truck.”

“Even then,” he says, “Mark was hands-on, hanging doors and windows himself, while making safety a top priority. That commitment hasn’t changed—it’s only grown stronger.”

What Babson saw in those early years—a company unwilling to take shortcuts when people’s well-being was at stake—still defines Hood’s approach today. Over time, the principle of Build it the Right Way has become less of a motto and more of a way of life, carried forward through the right training, a common purpose, and the expectation that every decision should protect the people behind the work.

When Babson recently congratulated Kevin Hooker, Hood Construction’s Director of Safety and Training, on the company’s remarkable record, Hooker’s response revealed just how deeply that ethic runs: “This is not enough. Until we eliminate all safety issues from every job as exposed to every employee – our efforts need to continue.”

A Culture of Safety

Construction continues to remain one of the most hazardous industries. that one in five workplace deaths occur in construction, with falls accounting for more than a third of that number. The CDC that poorly designed work environments and unsafe conditions often remain among the leading drivers of musculoskeletal injuries and fatalities. Against that backdrop, Hood’s safety record is nothing short of remarkable.

“At Hood Construction, everyone is responsible for safety,” explains Hooker. “From our president and project managers to the person pushing a broom, each individual has the authority and moral obligation to stop work if something looks unsafe.”

That sense of ownership begins on day one. New employees are trained not just in OSHA requirements, but in real-world recognition: studying hazard photos, analyzing how incidents occur, and discussing how to prevent them. The company mantra of Know Safety + No Hazards = Zero Recordables, is not a slogan but a daily discipline.

“A big part of that comes from Kevin Hooker’s approach to safety—his focus is on educating employees and making sure they understand the why behind the rules and regulations, not just that they’re told to follow them,” says Justin Nance, Senior Risk Management Consultant at ĚÇĐÄ´«Ă˝. “There’s also a lot of collaboration and preplanning between project managers, superintendents, and safety leadership.”

“Every time I’ve visited a jobsite, Kevin and a superintendent have taken the time to walk me through their reasoning behind the safety controls they’ve put in place,” Nance explains. They typically exceed OSHA standards, and it’s clear that they genuinely care about everyone onsite.”

Leading by Example

Leadership at Hood Construction understand that culture is modeled, not mandated. Each year, is dedicated to spotlight issues like trenching, fall protection, and mental health. Crews gather for daily meetings and to walk jobsites, a reminder that safety belongs to everyone on the job.

The practice continues year-round. Sites with top inspection scores are monthly, not so much as a reward for avoiding incidents, but as a celebration of proactive prevention — of teams who are able to spot problems early and fix them quickly. A hazard noticed is a hazard resolved. It’s a simple practice, but over time it has shaped how Hood builds: carefully, deliberately, and always with people in mind.

A Legacy of Safety

Hood’s success story isn’t a milestone to rest on; it’s a reflection of daily choices made by people who take their responsibility to one another seriously. It’s proof that when care becomes habit, safety becomes culture—and culture becomes legacy. The partnership between Hood Construction, Propel Insurance, and ĚÇĐÄ´«Ă˝ reflects what’s possible when companies work together with shared intent—protecting people first, and trusting that the results will follow.

At ĚÇĐÄ´«Ă˝, that belief runs deep. We see safety as more than compliance—it’s about creating workplaces where people can do their best work and return home safely at the end of each day. We also know that the safest workplaces don’t happen by chance—they’re built through collaboration, care, and expertise. To discover how ĚÇĐÄ´«Ă˝ helps organizations turn that vision into reality, visit our page.

Slips, trips, and falls are some of the most common workplace accidents, but they don’t have to be. , falls caused the deaths of 865 workers, with countless others injured badly enough to miss work. The National Safety Council (NSC) that falls are the leading cause of work-related injuries, responsible for nearly 15% of all work-related deaths. These statistics represent more than just numbers—they are real people whose lives are impacted by preventable accidents.

While some risks will always exist, the good news is that there are simple, proactive steps employers can take to reduce the occurrence of these injuries. With a proactive approach, you can create a safer, more productive environment for everyone. Here’s how:

Make Safety Training a Priority

When employees know what to look for and how to stay safe, they’re more likely to take action and avoid accidents. In 2022 alone, falls on the same level—think slipping on a wet floor or tripping over an obstruction—were responsible for .

Safety training can go a long way in reducing these types of accidents; that comprehensive training can cut the risk of falls by up to 30%. And training isn’t just about ticking off a checklist; it’s about fostering an environment where safety is everyone’s responsibility. When employees are taught , understand how to mitigate them, and feel empowered to take action, they become active participants in protecting not only themselves but also their teammates.

Inspect, Inspect, Inspect

A quick daily check can prevent a serious accident from happening. Routine inspections help identify potential hazards before they cause harm—whether that’s a spilled drink on the floor, a loose wire, or a dimly lit hallway. By making inspections part of your daily routine, you catch these issues early, giving you the chance to address them before they lead to serious injuries.

Regular safety checks also create a culture of awareness. When employees know their workplace is actively being monitored for safety, they’re more likely to keep an eye out for hazards themselves and take responsibility for their own safety. Proactive hazard identification can , ensuring your team stays safe and productive.

Create Safe, Well-Designed Workspaces

The environment plays a huge role in preventing falls. Simple changes—like adding non-slip mats, improving lighting, and ensuring proper drainage—can make a world of difference in high-traffic areas. For industries like construction, where workers face the highest risk of falling from heights—more than seven times the rate of other industries—safety measures like harnesses, guardrails, and fall arrest systems are essential.

These adjustments don’t just check a box for compliance; they protect workers from potentially life-altering accidents. And when employees have access to the right tools, whether that’s proper footwear, fall protection gear, or safety equipment, they’re much less likely to face serious injury.

Looking Ahead

Safety isn’t just about compliance; it’s about building a culture where every worker feels supported and protected. By making safety part of your daily operations, you show your team that their well-being matters—and that’s what truly makes a difference.

Ready to make safety a priority? Visit our Risk Management page for more resources and expert tips.

Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) remain a significant challenge in workplace safety, with the private sector 976,090 musculoskeletal disorder cases that led to days off of work in 2021-2022. These injuries, often caused by repetitive motion, force, vibration, and awkward positions, can result in severe sprains, strains, and back injuries.

According to and the , workers in warehouse and distribution roles also face some of the highest rates of serious injury, particularly from overexertion. Reducing these risks not only protects physical health, but also contributes to stronger retention and overall employee well-being.

Innovative Risk Management Solutions

ĚÇĐÄ´«Ă˝’s commitment to pioneering innovative safety solutions has recently seen remarkable advancements under the . With a focus on cutting-edge technology to combat workplace injuries, ĚÇĐÄ´«Ă˝ was awarded a safety grant to pilot , designed to mitigate lower back injuries—a prevalent concern in MSD-related claims.

“ĚÇĐÄ´«Ă˝ is proud to support the NSC’s efforts to develop repeatable, real-world safety solutions,” said Ryan Anderson, Risk Management Technology Programs Manager at ĚÇĐÄ´«Ă˝.

“We see firsthand how physically demanding jobs take a toll on workers. That’s why we’re so focused on prevention—especially through emerging technologies that help our policyholders protect their teams.”

Real Results

ĚÇĐÄ´«Ă˝ partnered with several policyholders across various regions to evaluate the impact of HeroWear exosuits in real-world work environments. Two organizations participated in a 90-day pilot program, while another conducted an extended 12-month evaluation.

During this time, employees integrated these cutting-edge exosuits into their daily routines; extensive feedback was collected through employee surveys, alongside critical HR metrics like injury rates, productivity levels, absenteeism, and turnover rates. This comprehensive data collection allowed the study to capture both the quantitative and qualitative benefits of the exosuit technology in real-world applications.

The results were compelling:

• One company reported a 40.74% decrease in worker fatigue from heavy lifting and a 26.92% reduction in lower back discomfort
• Another detailed a 42.19% reduction in fatigue from heavy lifts alongside a 32.84% reduction in lower back discomfort
• Among nearly 100 workers using exosuits for over a year, zero back strain injuries were reported, along with an average 42% reduction in lower back discomfort and a 26% drop in work-related fatigue

“At ĚÇĐÄ´«Ă˝, my goal in working with each of my clients is to mitigate any potential risks to their business—which includes protecting each of their workers,” said Anderson. “It’s exciting to see measurable results in the data—but even more meaningful to witness firsthand how this technology is improving safety, comfort, and confidence on the job.”

Promising Results and Future Plans

Following a successful showcase at the National Safety Council’s Annual Congress and Expo last fall, plans are underway to expand the use of the HeroWear exosuits across more policyholders—bringing this proven safety innovation to more workplaces where it can have a meaningful impact.

“We are thrilled to be identified among the nation’s top safety innovators and work together with the NSC in implementing cutting-edge solutions for the prevention of workplace injuries,” said Kevin Clary, Vice President of Risk Management at ĚÇĐÄ´«Ă˝. “Our participation in the grant program reflects a core part of our service philosophy—delivering emerging safety technologies that help our agency partners and policyholders create safer, more resilient workplaces.”

For more updates and to explore how we’re working together to make safety a priority, visit amerisure.com