Although hard hats have been used to protect workers’ heads in the industrial and construction industries for over 100 years, the product hasn’t seen a significant upgrade since the 1980s, states Scott Greenhaus, executive vice president at Structural Group, during an Associated General Contractors webinar on the topic.
The problem with the older model—which has become an iconic staple of identifying construction personnel—is that they were designed to protect wearers from impacts to the top of the head only and often fail to protect workers from head injuries during slips, trips, and falls if they fall off the wearer’s head.
In order to protect workers and prevent traumatic brain injuries on the job, many companies are switching to safety helmets with a chin strap. Plus, organizations like the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) recently proposed a new rule explicitly requiring that personal protective equipment (PPE) fits properly.
BUILDER caught up with Joe Brandel, business development manager at Mips, a leader in helmet-based safety, to share why safe helmet usage is so critical.
BUILDER: What is the current OSHA rule for headwear in the construction industry?
Brandel: Currently, employers are required to provide and maintain PPE, yet there are no regulations to ensure that it fits properly.
BUILDER: What exactly is the organization trying to update?
Brandel: OSHA has proposed to revise its PPE standard in construction to explicitly require that helmets fit properly.
BUILDER: Who would be affected?
Brandel: The proposed revision would impact all employees who are potentially at risk of head injury from impact, flying or falling objects, and electrical shock or burns. It is meant to affirm OSHA’s current PPE standard for construction, requiring properly fitted PPE.
BUILDER: What are the benefits to helmets compared with traditional hard hats?
Brandel: Many accidents involving the head do not occur linearly but at an angle. As a result, rotational motion can act on the head and brain, which can potentially be very dangerous and lead to severe brain injuries.
The two helmet types under the ANSI/ISEA Z89.1 standard include Type I and Type II helmets. Type I helmets are designed to reduce the force of impact to the top of the wearer's head, while Type II helmets are designed to protect against side (lateral) impact to reduce the force of impact resulting from a blow that may be off center, in addition to the top of the head. There are three classes of helmets: G, general; E, electrical; and C, conductive.
For those in the construction industry today, many employers are requiring that Type II helmets, which can include chin straps, be worn on jobsites. This is an improvement from Type I helmets, which often fail to protect workers from head injuries resulting from slips, trips, and falls if they fall off of the wearer’s head.
BUILDER: With so many other sports and activities pushing helmet safety lately, why do you believe it’s taken so long for construction?
Brandel: I believe that the main reasons are lack of awareness, increased cost, implementation, and a perceived lack of need. Helmets can be multiple times more expensive than traditional hard hats, so if a contractor has hundreds or even thousands of workers then the financial investment can be significant. What contractors need to realize is how expensive just one traumatic brain injury can be and how using the proper head protection can lessen the potential of that happening.
BUILDER: Are there any disadvantages to the switch?
Brandel: Passing this requirement would ensure that helmets fit properly and would be a step in the right direction to better protect those who work in the construction industry, which many consider to be one of the most dangerous professions. The key factors in PPE compliance are comfort and fit: Employees are far more likely to wear helmets and hard hats that fit correctly and comfortably. Proper PPE usage, including safety helmets, is a critical way to enhance safety and protect workers against accidents on the job.
BUILDER: Will helmets eventually be required over hard hats?
Brandel: Based on my experience with other forms of PPE, it will likely take some time before we see a standard requiring helmets on construction jobsites. This usually takes years and sometimes even decades. However, that should not keep companies from protecting their workers with the best possible PPE when the need is evident.
BUILDER: What would be the most significant change to a worker’s daily routine if helmets were required?
Brandel: This change isn’t likely to impact workers’ day to day too much. They would probably need to get used to wearing a chin strap, but, other than that, it shouldn’t be too different than what they’re doing now.
BUILDER: Are most construction companies in favor of helmets? Is there any opposition to the change, if so what?
Brandel: Most of the larger construction companies have or are currently transitioning to helmets, but there has been some hesitancy from some smaller companies and among certain trades. Most of the opposition is due to the cost and the perceived challenges with implementation.
