Exploring Traumatic Brain Injury
(This episode contains several visual elements. Although we’ll provide some links below, consider watching the Youtube version if possible.)
Welcome to The Headbanger’s Ball, where we talk about the fashion, the price, and the effectiveness of construction headgear.
Between 2003 and 2010, 2,210 construction workers died because of a traumatic brain injury (CDC.gov).
Dr. Michael Bottlang was born and raised in Germany. He then moved to the US to attend school, and went on to start a research lab in Portland, Oregon, where he explores brain-injury prevention. Dr. Bottlang reminds us that we have one brain, and it affects everything we do.
When it comes to helmet research, Dr. Bottlang says there has been a serious disconnect: The data shows that the vast majority of brain injuries occur through rotational force, but all testing is done with straight-line impact. He compares it to the agitator in a washing machine, which does its work through a long series of quick surges.
Slips, trips, and falls cause the greatest number of injuries on the job site. With these kinds of accidents, the head often hits the ground or another surface and then the neck flexes, resulting in rotational force to the brain.
To discuss this rotational force, Dr. Bottlang often used computer animations. After being disappointed with audience responses to the animations, Dr. Bottlang followed the recommendation of a friend and created a physical simulation with egg yolks in a simulated skull.
OSHA reports more than 54,000 cases of severe head injury a year, but this doesn’t include the cumulative effects of repeated small traumas to brains in sports and on worksites.
With government funding, Wavecel has been able to develop tests that more accurately simulate the dynamics of an actual head impact--including the tiny bit of rotation that often does the most damage.
Dr. Bottlang explains that the foam inside of a type-2 hard hat protects your skull effectively but can actually increase the rotational force that causes damage to the brain inside of that skull. That’s why he and his partners developed the Wavecel technology that allows the head to rotate slightly upon impact. The cushioning material inside a Wavecel helmet resembles the bendy part of a plastic drinking straw.
Of course, we touch on the topic of style. Wavecel material can go into any style of helmet. As far as construction workers, though, the vast majority still prefer the traditional brimmed style of helmet.
Dr. Bottlang discusses the surprising research results that says the climbing-style helmets are not as effective as type-2 hard hats when it comes to side impacts. He recommends that you turn your helmet over and see if it’s rated type-2.
We proceed to talk about price. Dr. Bottlang draws an analogy to buying a car for your child and said that most of the employers who see the egg video are happy to shell out a little extra money for the Wavecel technology.
Dr. Bottlang’s Megaphone Message: Question what no one else questions. Don’t just assume. Check the rating of your helmet and then dig into what causes most brain injuries. Watch the egg video and realize that most brain injuries are caused by rotational force.
Find Dr. Bottlang online: LinkedIn - Legacy Research Insititute - WaveCel
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