Did you know that brain injuries are a leading cause of death and disability in the U.S.? At least 2.8 million Americans sustain a traumatic brain injury (TBI) each year.
Out of those 2.8 million:
- 47.9% are from falling
- 17.1% are from being struck by or against something
- 13.2% are from vehicle accidents
- 8.3% are from assaults
- 13.2% are from other/unknown
Different types:
Acquired brain injury (ABI) an injury to the brain that is not hereditary, congenital, or degenerative and has occurred after birth. Can be labeled as traumatic or non-traumatic.
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) an alteration in brain function, or other evidence of brain pathology, caused by an external force or trauma. Can be labeled as non-penetrating or open penetrating.
Nearly half of Americans sustain a traumatic brain injury from falls each year...
By wearing the proper PPE, you and your employees can avoid these severe brain injuries.
What protection should you be wearing if you are working at heights?
Head Protection: required across every aspect of construction, especially in places where there is risk of being injured by falling objects, protruding extensions, collapsing structures, or when working in areas of restricted headspace. Hard hats are designed to protect the head against falling objects and the side of the head, eyes, and neck from any impacts, bumps, scrapes, and electrical exposure.
Fall Protection: Since they are among the most common causes of serious work related injuries and deaths, employers must set up the work place to prevent employees from falling off of overhead platforms, elevated work stations or into holes in the floor and walls. Fall Protection includes full-body harnesses, retractables, anchors/hooks, lifelines, guardrail systems and more.
To help prevent fall accidents, OSHA requires employers to:
- Guard every floor hole into which someone could accidentally walk (using railing and toe-board or a floor hole cover)
- Provide a guard rail and toe-board around every elevated open-sided platform, floor or runway
- If there is a risk of an employer falling into dangerous machines or equipment (such as a vat of acid or a conveyor belt), employers must provide guard rails and toe-boards regardless of height
Head and Fall Protection should be a necessity when it comes to providing you and your employees with the safest work zones!
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Ritz Safety, a family-owned business since 1983, is here to serve you. Our 13 sales and distribution centers across the United States provide a wide array of PPE and safety solutions, promoting all workers' health, well-being, and protection. Contact us at sales@ritzsafety.com or 800-451-3077 for convenient, cost-effective, and customized warehouse industry PPE solutions.