WorldWide Drilling Resource

57 WorldWide Drilling Resource ® NOVEMBER 2013 Safety Spotlight: Head Injuries by Scott Cosby This month’s article will focus on safety, specifically head injuries. A basic description of a head injury, symptoms, and treatments will be presented to gain a better understanding of these unfor- tunate and accidental events. A head injury is any trauma which injures the scalp, skull, or brain. They can be further classified as closed or open head injuries. A closed head injury refers to a wound which is not visible to the naked eye - this class can often be the most serious. An open (or penetrat- ing) head injury refers to a visible, seri- ous wound to the skull, and the brain is affected. The majority of this injury class occurs during car accidents. The sources may vary, but watch for these symptoms resulting from a head injury: k Unconscious or dazed condition. k Bleeding frommouth, nose, or ears. k Rapid but weak pulse. k Unequal size eye pupils. k Paralysis in one or more limbs. k Headache or dizziness. Overall, the best head injury treat- ment is to get the injured to a hospital or physician! Basic treatment options include: e Keep the injured lying down, and if necessary, warm. e If appearance is flushed, raise his/ her head slightly. e If appearance is pale, leave his/ her head in place. e For bleeding at the head wound, apply sterile dressing without pres- sure. e Keep the injured person calm and comfortable until help arrives or taken to a hospital. Consult your local health profession- al for more information, and provide in- house information on this topic to drill crews. There are a wide variety of online sources, such as the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, as well. Scott Scott Cosby may be contacted via e-mail at admin@ worldwidedrillingresource.com )' ) % ) ' # *# $ ' : &4)1*4 *18*4 : : &4)1*4 *18*4 : : &4)1*4 *18*4 : : &4)1*4 *18*4 % ( ) ' ) '%# : &4)1*4 *18*4 : : &4)1*4 *18*4 : : &4)1*4 *18*4 : &4)1*4 *18*4 : &4)1*4 *18*4 ' $ + *#&( $ )% ! &4)1*4 *18*4 : # #4-3/*: ! ! &4)1*4 *18*4 : # #4-3/*: ! ! &4)1*4 *18*4 : 24 : 73/*: ! ! &4)1*4 *18*4 : 73/*: ! ! &4)1*4 *18*4 : -4 4-8* 73/*: ! ! &4)1*4 *18*4 : 73/*: ! ! &4)1*4 *18*4 : 73/*: ! ! &4)1*4 *18*4 : 73/*: ! ! &4)1*4 *18*4 : 73/*: ! ! &4)1*4 *18*4 : # #4-3/*:>> ! ! &4)1*4 *18*4 : #4-3/*:>> > ! ! ;)4&7/-( 4276 703 ? ;)4&7/-( 4276 703 ? ;)4&7/-( 4276 703 ? '%*) *#& '#()'%$ $ % $ "% 6, "64**6 2(&,216&5 $" < 2745 &;5 & %**. = &: %&665 $" &1&)& 62 21)&; 4-)&; "** 274 %*' &+* 999 &4056421+0&(,-1* (20 0&-/ ))4*55 &0(- &4056421+0&(,-1* (20 * ") * *#&( : &52 73/*: ! ! : -/9*// 73/*: ! ! &4)1*4 *18*4 : #4-3/*: ! ! &4)1*4 *18*4 : 73/*: ! ! &4)1*4 *18*4 : 73/*: ! ! &52 : 73/*: ! !