Protecting workers from traumatic brain injuries
Employers must take responsibility for employee safety
A traumatic brain injury (TBI) can change a victim’s life forever, and unfortunately, too many of these permanent injuries happen at work. Every employer in every industry needs to be mindful of the risk of TBI and take proactive measures to protect employees. Here are a few reasonable steps employers should take to minimize the risk of TBI.
Fall prevention
Falls are the leading cause of traumatic brain injury and account for nearly half of TBI-related emergency room visits. The risk is higher in jobs where workers are frequently up on ladders or other elevated surfaces, such as construction, but falls can and do happen in any workplace.
Employers need to take fall prevention seriously by maintaining the physical workspace to minimize hazards. Trip hazards must be repaired, railings must be maintained, and spills must be cleaned up promptly to reduce the risk of a slip and fall. Any unavoidable hazards should be clearly marked, such as with a wet floor sign. Lighting, too, plays a role in trip and fall accidents, especially among older workers who may have declining eyesight.
In workplaces with particular fall risks, employers need to ensure that workers use personal protective equipment (PPE) to both prevent falls and protect the head and brain in the event of a fall. Harnesses, guardrails, lifelines, and footwear with adequate traction all play a role in preventing falls, and protective gear such as hardhats can minimize the injury to the brain if a fall does happen. In outdoor environments, employers also need to be mindful of the weather and provide appropriate gear for the conditions.
Struck by objects
Being struck by or against an object can cause the head to experience significant blunt trauma, which in turn causes brain injury. Protective gear such as hardhats can mitigate the risk in dangerous work environments, though it needs to be properly maintained to work. Properly maintaining the work environment itself to stop objects from falling on workers is also a critical preventive measure. Employers need to be mindful of the conditions, make sure tools and objects are cleaned up promptly, and train employees and supervisors on awareness and safety.
Work-related car accidents
During a car crash, it’s common for an occupant’s head to strike a window, windshield, chair, or another object on the interior of the car. Sometimes, car accidents can cause concussions even without direct trauma to the head; if the head moves forward and back with sufficient speed, the brain can hit the inside of the skull, causing damage.
While employers cannot control other motorists’ actions on public roads, there is a great deal they can do to reduce the risk of a work-related car crash on their employees’ side. Company vehicles need to be properly maintained to address mechanical issues that could cause a crash. When planning work-related travel by car, employers need to ensure their employees are well-rested and sober and make sure sufficient time is given for the trip so the driver isn’t under pressure to speed. They also need to take weather into account — avoid sending out employees on non-essential errands when it’s snowing, for instance. Finally, employers need to create and enforce an organization-wide distracted driving policy.
Responding appropriately to a concussion at work
If a worker has a suspected or confirmed concussion, the employer needs to put safety first. Injured workers need to get an immediate medical evaluation in order to confirm the diagnosis. Managers need to set a clear expectation that injuries should be reported immediately and encourage workers to get medical care. Just as importantly, the employer needs to follow the worker’s doctor’s instructions and make reasonable accommodations at work or provide time off to avoid the risk of reinjury. A second concussion before a previous concussion has healed can lead to second impact syndrome, a potentially fatal complication.
If you hit your head at work, you need to do three things right away: report the injury to your employer, get medical attention, and contact us. The long-term cost of a work-related brain injury can be substantial, and you need an experienced attorney on your side to help you navigate the workers’ compensation system. Schedule your free consultation with The Law Offices of Deborah G. Kohl today.