Maintenance crews recognized for going decades without injury

The TxDOT maintenance crew in San Augustine being honored for nearly 20 years of injury-free work. Crew in safety vests are posed beneath a tree.

May 26, 2026

By Paul Stinson

AUSTIN — For the last 19 years or more, members of four TxDOT maintenance crews have continued to return home safely without injury.

Texas Transportation Commission Acting Chair Alvin New recognized this stellar track record of TxDOT maintenance crews by paying each of them a visit.

“Safety is job number one at TxDOT,” New said. “Going more than 7,000 consecutive days without an injury is an extraordinary achievement, and it doesn’t happen by chance.”

New made his surprise visits to the four, injury-free maintenance offices in Stonewall, Cass, San Augustine and Uvalde counties, treating them to lunch, handing out commemorative ballcaps and talking shop.

There are 265 maintenance sections across the state, and four have crossed the 7,000-day injury free milestone.

“We are very proud of these crews” said TxDOT Occupational Safety Director Sam Salazar. “Their records reflect decades of employees looking out for one another and doing the job the right way, every single day.”

Crews say danger presents itself in many forms in the daily lives of highway maintenance technicians. That broad spectrum of work includes setting up traffic control, laying down blade patches, restructuring ditches, along with maintaining and installing signs.

Sprains, strains and cuts are some of the most common types of injuries.

The key to remaining injury‑free, numerous maintenance crew members said, is practicing a checklist of essential reminders for implementing and maintaining a good safety program. Best practices include use of personal protective equipment, Stretch and Flex and 360-degree vehicle walk‑arounds.

TxDOT crews also rely on their training and knowledge to help mitigate any harm or injury.

Maintenance workers also underscored the importance of communication in making the job easier and safer.

“What makes our crew exceptional is simple: twenty‑years injury free isn’t luck,” said San Augustine Maintenance Supervisor Scott Duffey. “Our crew’s success comes from a shared commitment to safety, accountability, and looking out for one another. We work as one team, we speak up and we never compromise on safety.”