Texas employers filed more workers’ compensation claims in August than any other month, and these claims are often from injuries that may be avoided, including strains, sprains, lacerations and contusions, according to the Travelers’ data.

“The good news is many of these injuries are avoidable, and business owners can take advantage of risk management tools that help them build effective safety strategies in the workplace,” Kim Bittle, regional vice president of Travelers said in a statement.

According to the Texas Department of Insurance, one-third of all businesses in Texas are non-subscribers to the workers’ compensation system.

This should be of particular interest to small business owners, for which a single on-the-job accident could cripple their operations if they are not covered, according to Travelers, which noted in releasing its data that an independent insurance agent can help business owners learn more about what coverage is needed for their particular business and industry.

To help businesses promote worker safety, Travelers recommends the following steps:

• Establish an integrated safety culture – Visible evidence of a commitment to safety can be shown through top management’s attendance at safety meetings, their review and action on accident reports and establishing an employee-managed safety committee.
• Implement a safety management program – A comprehensive safety program should address worker security and overall safety.
• Educate and train – Avoiding injuries can be improved with proper safety orientations, regular safety coaching from an effective mentor and regular communication.
• Hire the right person for the job – Selecting skilled, safe, dependable employees is the first step in establishing an organization’s safety culture.

The Travelers Companies Inc. has more than 30,000 employees and reported revenues of roughly $26 billion in 2012. For more information, visit www.travelers.com.