BITCO Blog

Cell Phone Use on the Worksite

Risk Control Department — Thu, 19 Mar 2026 19:32:37 GMT

Safety Risks, Policies & Best Practices

In today’s connected world, phones are essential tools. However, without clear guidelines and consistent enforcement, they can quickly become dangerous distractions. Use these best practices to help stay safe on the worksite.

Safe Quarry Operations

Risk Control Department — Thu, 19 Feb 2026 13:20:51 GMT

Best Practices for Loading Activities

Safe loading practices are a crucial part of quarry operations and play a large role in protecting employees, equipment, and production. Loading areas are often busy, dynamic environments where heavy equipment operates in close proximity. Without proper controls and clear communication, the risk of incidents increases significantly.

The following guidelines outline key practices to help ensure a secure, efficient, and well-managed quarry loading operation.

Level Up Your Ladder Safety | BITCO Insurance Companies

Risk Control Department — Wed, 17 Dec 2025 14:30:00 GMT

Level Up Your Ladder Safety

Extension ladders are important tools on many jobsites, but they also pose heavy risks when not used properly. Falls from ladders remain a leading cause of workplace injuries, many of which are preventable through suitable selection, inspection, and use. The following best practices can help keep workers safe.

Tire Safety Inspections | BITCO Insurance Companies

Risk Control Department — Wed, 22 Oct 2025 12:26:21 GMT

Small Habits That Make a Big Difference in Road Safety

As a driver, you are responsible for the condition of the vehicle you operate. One of the most important areas of vehicle safety is tire maintenance. Driving on worn or damaged tires puts not only you at risk, but everyone sharing the road.

FMCSA Revokes Two ELDs | BITCO Insurance Companies

Risk Control Department — Wed, 24 Sep 2025 13:12:33 GMT

What Motor Carriers Need to Know

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has removed two devices from the agency’s list of registered electronic logging devices (ELDs).

What Every Oil & Gas Worker Should Know About Hazard Zones | BITCO

Risk Control Department — Wed, 27 Aug 2025 12:30:00 GMT

Flash Fire Fatality: What Every Oil & Gas Worker Should Know About Hazard Zones

What began as a standard repair job ended in tragedy.

Three workers were tasked with fixing a leaking crude oil flow line that connected a production well to its tank battery, which is a typical task in the oil and gas industry. They dug a trench, removed a section of the pipe, and began preparing the exposed line for threading. But in a matter of seconds, a spark from an electric pipe threader ignited flammable vapors, setting off a flash fire that engulfed the trench.

Two workers were hospitalized with severe burns. One of them didn’t survive.

Meeting OSHA’s First Aid Requirements | BITCO Insurance Companies

Risk Control Department — Wed, 06 Aug 2025 12:30:00 GMT

Everything Employers Need to Know to Keep Their First Aid Kits Up to Standard

Maintaining a well-stocked, accessible first aid kit is an essential part of workplace safety. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requires employers to ensure that first aid supplies are available and suitable for the hazards of the workplace. Depending on your industry, there are different requirements and recommendations to follow.

Protecting Your Workers From Lightning Strikes | BITCO

Risk Control Department — Wed, 02 Jul 2025 12:30:00 GMT

How to Prepare Your Jobsite, Train Your Team, and Minimize Risk During Severe Weather Events

Lightning strikes can be dangerous, even when a storm is several miles away. A phenomenon called "bolt from the blue" refers to lightning that strikes well outside a thunderstorm, up to ten miles away. If you can hear thunder, you're within striking distance of a potential lightning strike, even if the storm seems far away.

Prompt Claim Reporting | BITCO Insurance Companies

Risk Control Department — Wed, 18 Jun 2025 12:30:00 GMT

How Quick Action Impacts Claims and Recovery

Prompt claim reporting is essential to ensure a smooth and efficient claims experience, protect your employer’s rights as an insured, and facilitate timely resolution and payment. It’s important to know, and quickly follow, your company’s specific procedures. This blog highlights five key reasons why prompt claim reporting is crucial.

Preventing Heat Illness on the Job | BITCO Insurance Companies

Risk Control Department — Wed, 04 Jun 2025 12:30:00 GMT

OSHA-recommended strategies to reduce heat-related incidents

As summer approaches and temperatures rise, it is crucial to protect your employees from heat-related incidents. In 2022, OSHA launched a targeted program to protect workers from the increasing threat of heat-related illness. This program is called the National Emphasis Program (NEP) on Outdoor and Indoor Heat-Related Hazards. Originally, it was set to expire in 2025, but has been extended by one more year.