A Concussion Safety Story with Dan Babish

NSSGA Podcast

Safety Shorts tackles the topic of concussion safety with Luck Stone’s Regional Sales and Operations Manager, Dan Babish, a seasoned industry professional with close to 20 years experience in the business. Dan's harrowing story about a concussion from a post-driver incident underscores the importance of safety precautions, especially for those new to farm work. The episode emphasizes the often-underestimated recovery time required for head injuries and the value of safety training. By applying workplace safety habits at home and utilizing a buddy system for risky tasks, listeners working in any industry can minimize accidents and prioritize their well-being.

Episode Highlights: Dan’s personal experience of a severe concussion from a farming accident while using a manual post driver The risks of working alone, and the importance of having a lifeline or someone present during potentially hazardous tasks The significance of applying safety training learned at work to home environments, particularly for those in heavy industry or farming Recovery from brain injuries requires patience and rest, countering the outdated notion of quickly returning to normal activities His story is a reminder of the common dangers in industries such as slips, trips, and falls, urging consistent safety practices Dan's journey from a suburban upbringing to managing a farm The importance of continuous safety awareness and practices both at work and home Toolbox Talk Discussion Questions: In this episode, Dan talks about a head and neck injury that he sustained and lots of lessons learned. What is your takeaway from this episode? Dan says that the brain is a muscle, and that it needs time to heal. Does this perspective change how you think about head injuries? Does anyone have a story they want to share about applying a safety practice at home? Key Takeaways:

"The brain is a muscle that takes time to heal. For me, my headaches were so intense that I couldn't even lay my head down on a pillow for the first 48 hours."

"There are risks to working alone. If I hadn't been able to get to my phone, I don't know how long I would have been laying there by myself."

"You need time to heal, you need time to rest after any kind of brain injury. Thankfully, our society is really moving away from 'get back up and keep going.'"

"Working on a farm has been a great learning experience for me and my family. I grew up in the suburbs, where we only had two indoor cats when I was a kid."

"A manual post driver is essentially a pipe with two handles with one open end and one closed weighted end. The rod I was hammering on ricocheted off a rock and hit me in the face."

"At first, I didn't feel anything or realize what had happened. I started to hear a loud humming noise, almost like an electric guitar playing in my ears."

"Slips, trips, and falls are one of the biggest causes of injuries in our industry. This is a good reminder to take what you've learned on the mine site and apply it at home." Links: National Stone, Sand & Gravel Association website Dan Babish