What is a head Injury?
A head injury is a trauma, to any part of a person’s head (scalp Skull or brain). A trauma may be a minor bump (concussion) or severe injury leading to coma or death. Globally serious head injuries amount for up to 5% of head injuries due to an accident or bump on the head.
How does it happen – Cause of Head Injuries
The common causes of head injuries are
- Motor Vehicle accidents (automobiles, motorcycles, or struck as a pedestrian)
- Bicycle accidents
- Falls
- Violence or abuse
- In the construction industry, the most common cause of head injuries is due to falling
What to look out for – Signs and Symptoms of Head Injury
Symptoms may vary from person to person depending on the individual and the severity of the head injury.
Possible symptoms may include, but not limited to
- Dizziness
- Blurred vision
- Imbalance
- Fatigue
- Difficulty in concentrating
- Memory loss
- Irritability
- Headache
- Change in sleeping pattern
- Different sized pupils or pupils unreactive to light
- Body fluids seeping out of ears or nose
Prevention of Head Injuries
Head injuries are, on the most part, highly avoidable. To reduce the possibility and severity of head injuries from occurring it is important to promote a safe environment.
Some basic considerations that can reduce the event of a head injury form occurring at home and at work
- Don’t play the fool at home or work or near a swimming pool
- Practice good housekeeping by keeping floors clean and tidy to prevent tripping or slipping hazard
- Don’t stack and store items on top of cupboards that can fall onto someone
- Always properly wear a seatbelt/ Helmet when using motor vehicle
- When wearing a helmet or hard hat make sure it is fastened correctly and securely
- Always hold on to stair rails when using stairs
- When working at height ensure the correct PPE is used to prevent falling
- Provide adequate lighting in areas where persons are walking
- Never drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs
If you spend a moment more of being aware of your surroundings, you can avoid having to spend a lifetime living with a disability due to a head injury
Reduce head injury In the Workplace with a Hard Hat
Hard Hat DOs | Hard Hat DON’Ts |
Clean your hard hat as needed using mild soap and water | Don’t paint your hard hat |
Store the hat as recommended
Keep out of direct sun (not on the dash or in the back of your car) Keep out of areas of high heat (like the boot of your car) |
Don’t wear a cap beneath your hard hat. By wearing a hat you interfere with the suspension and the shell. These work together to reduce the force of an impact |
Inspect your hat shell and the suspension inside for damage from everyday use | Don’t alter or modify your hat by example drilling holes or inserting screws |
The hard hat must be worn in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendation | Don’t wear your hat backwards |
Don’t use solvents to clean your hat |
To order your PPE visit our online shop on www.hspshop.co.za or call us on 072 584 7159