Moving and stationary equipment, falling debris, and slippery conditions all pose hazards that can result in head injuries with varying degrees of severity, from mild concussions to comas— even fatalities. Traumatic brain injury (TBI), a common outcome of impact to the head, can cause physical, cognitive, social, emotional, and behavioral effects that may result in short-term or permanent impairment.

Overall, traumatic brain injury is the leading cause of death and disability in children and adults ages 1 to 44, according to the Brain Trauma Foundation (BTF). The top three factors that cause TBI include falls, motor vehicle crashes and being hit or colliding with another object, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In TBI, the brain bruises and swells upon impact, limiting blood-flow and depriving tissue of vital oxygen, which can cause irreversible cell death and brain damage, according to the BTF. In addition to these immediate effects, secondary injury often occurs in the hours and days following impact as swelling and bruising evolve. For this reason, symptoms often appear hours or even days later.