OSEA Safety Blog

Concussion Awareness

National Concussion Awareness Day is recognized by the Brain Injury Association of America and is recognized on the third Friday of each September yearly. The goal of this day is to bring more awareness to concussions and to raise money to support those suffering from a concussion.

A concussion is a traumatic brain injury that affects your brain function. Concussions are usually caused by a blow to the head. But violently shaking the head and upper body can also cause concussions. The most common cause of a concussion is falls, they are also common if you play a contact sport such as football or soccer. Most people do recover fully from concussions but it’s important to know that concussions can last days, weeks, or even months. You need to know the signs and symptoms of a concussion, being aware can be lifesaving at times. Concussion signs and symptoms are but not limited to:

• Headache
• Dizziness
• Fatigue
• Nausea
• Sensitivity to light/noise
• Post Traumatic Amnesia – can’t recall injury

The chart below shows signs and symptoms for different parts of the brain from the Brain Injury Association of America. This chart can also be found at concussion_signs_infographic.png (1080×1080) (nationalconcussionawarenessday.com)

Another import thing to know when someone is suffering from a concussion is how to help. The tips & tricks chart below shows different ways to help someone with a concussion also provided by Brain Injury Association of America. This chart can also be found at classroom_tips_and_tricks.png (1080×1080) (nationalconcussionawarenessday.com)

If someone experiences a head injury seek emergency care or care from a doctor depending on the severity of the injury. Employees should not return to working on the same day of the injury and when showing concussion symptoms, dependent on their job position. Most companies should have a return to work policy that covers concussion protocol.

Some ways you can prevent or minimize your risk of a concussion are but not limited to:

• Wearing protective gear during work, sports and other recreational activities
• Buckling your seat belt
• Exercising regularly

Last educating others about concussions such as employees and colleagues about concussions can help spread awareness and minimize the risk of concussions.

Sources:

National Concussion Awareness Day ® Friday, September 17th, 2021 - Home

Concussion - Symptoms and causes - Mayo Clinic

Concussion Awareness Charts