In high-risk industries such as construction, protecting workers from head injuries is a top priority, as head protection may be the difference between life and death.
In the United States (US), construction worker accounts for a quarter of all workplace traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), with 68% resulting from falls and 12% due to falling objects.1
TBIs are profoundly life-altering, with survivors often enduring lasting cognitive, emotional, and psychological challenges. This highlights the importance of comprehensive head protection in construction settings.1
Type II head protection is the most effective measure for decreasing the incidence and severity of work-related head injuries.1 For this reason, general contractors are increasingly mandating Type II safety helmets, which offer the best protection according to a recent study.2
Image Credit: Protective Industrial Products, Inc.
Benefits of Type II Head Protection in Construction
On top of the harness suspension employed in Type I head protection, Type II safety helmets are made with an expanded polystyrene (EPS) foam liner. This provides 360-degree coverage, protecting users against front, back, and side impacts, whereas Type I head protection only guards against top impacts.
Climbing-style safety helmets are equipped with either a harness suspension or EPS liner and chin strap. These are usually considered an upgrade from standard hard hats, as the additional features offer improved security and comfort, increasing wearer acceptability and compliance.
However, it has been demonstrated that climbing-style safety helmets absorb only half the impact from lateral forces that Type II safety helmets do.2 As 52-62% of helmet impacts occur from the front and sides, the extra protection provided by Type II safety helmets can significantly reduce workplace injuries.1
Type II Helmet Solutions
The safety helmets provided by Protective Industrial Products (PIP®) are at the cutting edge of head protection innovation.
Certified to ANSI/ISEA Z89.1–2014 standards, select PIP helmets are furnished with a low-friction layer to minimize the transfer of rotational motion due to oblique collisions to the skull.
The Mips® Brain Protection System technology offers an additional layer of safety in the event of side and rear impacts. This is particularly important as such forces can cause a significant increase in head acceleration.1
Image Credit: Protective Industrial Products, Inc.
The PIP helmet range is also designed with durability and user comfort in mind, offering added convenience by keeping essential protective gear readily accessible via integrated accessories like visors and ear protection.
Built-in ventilation systems enhance comfort even further and help workers maintain efficiency without compromising safety. In addition, these helmets can be customized to fit specific site requirements, with a range of styles and color options available.3
Prioritizing Safety and Productivity
The shift to Type II helmets in construction settings is gaining momentum as more companies are recognizing the cost and productivity benefits of advanced head protection.
Companies can provide better protection for their workers, reduce the risk of costly TBIs, and promote a culture of safety on-site with Type II helmets. Given that each TBI case can carry an economic burden ranging from $600,000 to $1.8 million, the investment in robust head protection technology is both a moral and practical decision.4
Safety is paramount in today’s construction industry. By choosing Type II helmets, companies can proactively protect their workforce from severe head injuries and ensure that their employees can work in a safer and more productive environment.
References and Further Reading
- Bottlang, M., et al. (2022). Effect of helmet design on impact performance of industrial safety helmets. Heliyon, 8(8), p.e09962. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2022.e09962.
- Bottlang, M., et al. (2023). Climbing style safety helmets do not improve impact protection over type II hard hats. Safety Science, 168, pp.106296–106296. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ssci.2023.106296.
- Protective Industrial Products (2025). Head Protection Experts | Protective Industrial Products. [online] Protective Industrial Products. Available at: https://pip-global-safety.com/Head-Protection (Accessed 3 Jan. 2025).
- Fu, T.S., et al. (2016). Health & Economic Burden of Traumatic Brain Injury in the Emergency Department. Canadian Journal of Neurological Sciences / Journal Canadien des Sciences Neurologiques, 43(02), pp.238–247. https://doi.org/10.1017/cjn.2015.320.
This information has been sourced, reviewed and adapted from materials provided by Protective Industrial Products, Inc.
For more information on this source, please visit Protective Industrial Products, Inc.