Milesaway

As a new winter commuter, I've been gearing up and mentally preparing for the snow, ice, darkness which would either freeze me, make me fall or see me rammed by a car. Today, danger from an unexpected quarter - my office building's garage door closed onto my head as I was riding in. Lucky for me was going slower than usual due to ice near the entrance but was still rolling about 10 miles/h when my forehead slammed into the closing door cranking my neck way back. Took a small chunk out of my helmet and left me dazed, neck is still pretty stiff.

I used to be happy when I would arrive at work to find the door still open from the previous car since it saved me having to do the little dance that triggers the auto-open. No longer. Beware all, those doors are evil.

alan s 

Had one of those automatic gate arms come down on me once, but didn't get hurt. Parking garages are full of all sorts of hidden dangers.

JanMM

Did you get yourself checked out? Dazed can indicate possibility of concussion. Garage owner/employer(?) aware of accident/injury?

david58

Now, as a veteran winter commuter you will probably do the little dance to open the door? And, JanMM is right - you need to let your employer know. You may have pulled the *****, but the employer has rules/regs (read: OSHA) on reporting injuries, and you can get the employer in trouble by not reporting immediately.

a1penguin

Thank your helmet for saving your skull and give it a nice burial. I would report the accident to your employer in the off chance something comes up later. It might not be a bad idea to get checked out.

stdlrf11

I work at a secure facility with a very robust vehicle entry/exit system. Over the last few years they have upgraded from gate arms and rollup doors to gate arms, rollup doors and hydraulic bollards. A fellow commuter rode over the bollard as it raised and it threw him pretty hard. The same guy got a gate arm across the forehead. (He also is the only one to have a bike stolen from the garage. What an unlucky man.)

Another commuter and I have figured out how to enter and exit through the system correctly and have proposed a signage and education project. It consists of painted lines and signs at each entry/exit point and "how-to" instructions online. We may even make a video to go with it. We've gotten approval from everyone buy my boss, and my proposal meeting is with him today at 9am.

Milesaway

Thanks guys. Helmet tip noted, its manufacturer actually has a helmet replacement program which I'm going to see if I'm eligible for. Hopefully I am, that particular helmet is only a week old!

As for notifications etc. the garage connects to multiple buildings as such not really sure workplace related injury reporting is strictly relevant (as it is not technically in the workplace). Also I'm in Canada so any health issues that may come up are my problem anyway! In any case aside from some stiffness/tension things are looking ok today.

Stdlrf11 - good luck with your project!