Considerations for Choosing Head Protection: OSHA Compliance, Hazard Assessments, and Technology Advancements

Considerations for Choosing Head Protection: OSHA Compliance, Hazard Assessments, and Technology Advancements

What to know about head protection types, classes, accessories, and more.

  • By Dennis Capizzi
  • Sep 10, 2024

With so many standards and industry regulations surrounding PPE for construction, and various head protection options such as Type I vs. Type II and Classes including Class G, E and C to choose from, it can be challenging to know which head protection solution is right for your specific job site or application. The first step in selecting proper head protection is to conduct a hazard assessment to understand the unique risks associated with your job site; and the recently updated Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) “Head Protection: Safety Helmets in the Workplace” Safety and Health Information Bulletin (SHIB) also raises many important points about proper head protection selection to consider.


Why Proper Head Protection Is Important for Construction Workers

Year over year, industrial workers in the United States continue to experience on-the-job injuries and fatalities related to falling objects and equipment as well as slips, trips and falls. Between 2021 and 2022, some of the top causes of days away from work included “slips, trips, and falls” and “contact with objects and equipment.”

One of the most serious types of injuries that can result from falling objects and equipment or slips, trips, and falls is Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). A commonly known form of a TBI is a concussion. This is especially important for construction workers, as according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the construction industry has the greatest number of both fatal and nonfatal work-related TBI among U.S. workplaces.

This makes understanding construction job site hazards tied to falling objects and equipment or slips, trips, and falls, as well as differences in Type I and Type II impact protection even more important for workers in this industry. OSHA’s “Head Protection: Safety Helmets in the Workplace” SHIB states that “Proper head protection is crucial in work environments with falling objects, struck-by, overhead electrical hazards, and risks from slips, trips, and falls.”

Understanding the OHSA “Head Protection: Safety Helmets in the Workplace” SHIB


This article originally appeared in the September 2024 issue of Occupational Health & Safety.

Product Showcase

  • Safety Shower Test Cart

    The Safety Shower Test Cart speeds up and simplifies emergency shower tests, ensures you stay in compliance with OSHA regulations, and significantly reduces testing costs. With 7 unique features, the cart makes testing easy, effective, and efficient. You can test water clarity, flow, temperature, and spread—all at the same time! Most safety shower testing kits create a mess, take too much time to use, and don't fully help you stay in compliance with OSHA & ANSI standards. Transform the way you test emergency showers with Green Gobbler Safety. Read More

  • Glove Guard® Clip

    Safety should never be compromised, especially when it comes to proper glove usage. The Glove Guard® clip enhances safety by encouraging employees to keep their gloves with them at all times. This reduces the risk of accidents and injuries on the job. By ensuring everyone has their gloves readily available, we help promote a culture of safety and efficiency. The Glove Guard® clip is designed to withstand the toughest work environments. Constructed from robust materials made in the USA, it can endure extreme conditions, including harsh weather, and rigorous activities. Read More

  • Matrix's OmniPro Vision AI Collision Avoidance System

    OmniPro Vision AI is a state-of-the-art collision avoidance system that features NIOSH award-winning Visual Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology. This highly accurate, powerful system identifies and alerts on pedestrians, vehicles and specified objects, ensuring safer facilities, mining operations and industrial sites. With its web-based cloud application, OmniPro Vision AI also logs and analyzes a wide range of data related to zone breach notifications. Operating without needing personal wearable devices or tags, OmniPro has visual and audible zone breach alerts for both operators and pedestrians. Read More

Featured

Most   Popular

Artificial Intelligence