A few weeks ago, I walked by a group of town workers using a brush chipper in one of our Western states. I noticed each was wearing nice leather gloves. It was cold. So I stopped and asked the guy who was not working (I figured he was the super) why they were wearing gloves. “We have a glove policy here, and anyone, for any job, needs to wear gloves.” I carefully offered up that those gloves were going to get his help killed. He had no idea.
We have forever assigned workers Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) rather than removing what could harm them. Instead of having the sharp edges removed from steel ductwork by the maker, we provide gloves so those in the field installing don’t get cut so badly.
For about 100 years, the hard hat has been the benchmark of a construction worker. It is a logo we wear that shows we are doing something dangerous. We are a bit proud of that, and we attach stickers from all the sites we have been working on. We wear that badge of honor on our heads, and that head protection really provides no protection. It’s just a hard hat.
In my 30+ years on construction sites, only one thing has hit my hard hat: an open razor knife from a worker I had had a pointed conversation with on the scaffolding above me.
Recently, OSHA and the United States Army Corp of Engineers have adopted (for their members…) a new generation of head protection: the helmet. Used for almost a decade here in the US by the more progressive general contractors and owners, these tight-fitting cushioned helmets have been used overseas…for decades. The US has always been and remains a reluctant leader.
Why the change to helmets? Because falls kill, and head injuries and falls cost the lives of our sons and daughters doing our work.
For some reason, regulators have overlooked or ignored the damage of a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) and the reasonable fix—put a helmet, not a bucket, on heads and strap it on. We use these helmets on motorcycles, bicycles, skateboards and skiing, but the hard hat, the hallmark of construction work, has persisted.
The poster below on ladder safety clearly outlines the dangers of a fall. One can see the workers’ helmets coming off, but that’s not discussed on a job site.
The construction industry has the greatest number of fatal and nonfatal traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) among US workplaces. Per the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, these deaths represent 25 percent of all construction fatalities. Granted, we need to look closely at head protection, but we need to examine fall prevention even closer. The following is why.
- Males were 7 times more likely than females to die from a TBI.
- Older workers (65 years and older) were almost 4 times more likely than younger workers (25–34 years) to have a fatal TBI.
- Falls, especially from roofs, ladders, and scaffolds, led to more than 50 percent of fatal work-related TBIs.
Structural iron and steelworkers and roofers had the highest fatal TBI rate, and TBIs related to falls caused most of their deaths.
The new generation of helmets are comfortable and lightweight. Most of the wearers I speak to love to wear them. Last week, a young worker said, “It just makes me feel safer”.
Visor and Support System
Numerous manufacturers are now making these available. I first wore mine issued by Gilbane in 2016, and I love it. Yes, I have a newer one.
Some tips:
- OSHA requires their employees to switch but only suggests contractors consider this added protection. I call bullshit on that. If we require face masks during Covid (emergency temporary standard), we can require those doing the work to be as protected as our OSHA inspectors.
- Many General Contractors and Owners expect workers and all leadership to wear these helmets on the jobsite. Spend the money now, for in a year or so, few will be allowed to wear the hard hats.
- If you’re an owner or in leadership, consider how uneasy you will be at a bid walk-through when you’re the only one not wearing a helmet. Also, consider the business sense of you walking during the bid walk and the only other person wearing a helmet—the client.
Make sure to only buy helmets that are ANSI-Type approved. Some cheaper versions are only hard hats with chinstraps. Just remember, it’s like buying birth control: the prevention you choose will affect someone’s life.
Catamount Consulting delivers world-class safety tools and tips.
Catamount Consulting provides mining, construction, and general industry businesses with specialized leadership training programs, safety services, consultation, and compliance strategies. Its leadership Coaches have over 35 years of experience leading organizations to develop greater emotional intelligence, leading to a more engaged and committed workforce.
Special thanks to our trainer, TJ Lyons, CSP, OHST, and CRIS, from Catamount Consulting for writing this blog post.
If you have questions or are concerned about how this could impact your business, Contact us to learn more or schedule an appointment.
Resources: OSHA, OSHA Safety and Health Information Bulletin
