As technology advances, so do advancements in personal protection equipment and ways we can improve the safety of our workforce. Thanks to the advancements of work-site safety, our job-sites are safer than ever with new and modern equipment. However, many HSE managers are struggling to inspire their workforce to wear the necessary personal protective equipment while on the job, which can cause more injuries and fatalities.
Many companies in construction and manufacturing are still experiencing a hard time encouraging their workforce to wear their head protection while on the job. This is often due to workers expressing their dissatisfaction with helmets and hard hats because they may be uncomfortable or block visibility, which can potentially hinder the ability to perform their duties. These concerns are something that HSE managers have to consider when encouraging their workers to wear the necessary head protection and finding the right helmets to supply their workforce with.
Advancements in personal protection equipment have come a long way in making them more comfortable, flexible, and stronger, allowing our workforce to be better protected from life-threatening head injuries in the event of a slip or fall. Today there are many options of head protection to choose from that can suit your specific need, allowing you to safely, and comfortably perform your job duties while meeting OSHA requirements and safety standards.
Head Injuries are Life Threatening and Costly
Within the construction and manufacturing industry, the majority of head injuries are caused by slips and falls. In 2016, OSHA cited that 38% of all fatalities in the workplace were caused by falls, making it the leading cause of fatalities in the workplace. While 9% of fatalities were from being struck by an object. Many of these fatalities were results of the lack of head protection and could have been avoided. These can be serious, life-altering injuries that can permanently affect one’s life, and lead to hundreds of thousands of dollars in medical bills and compensation. Traumatic brain injuries are extremely common in industries like construction and manufacturing and account for over 84,000 workplace injuries a year.
Most Common Head Injuries Include:
- Concussions
- Head Contusions
- Brain Hemorrhage
- Hematoma
- Skull Fractures
With the proper head protection and the implementation of safety helmets, these common yet serious injuries can be easily prevented, potentially saving lives in the event of a slip or fall, and prevent hundreds of thousands of dollars in lost man-hours and employee compensation.
New Safety Helmets Offer Greater Protection From Slips and Falls
For over 40 years, construction and manufacturing workforces have used the same outdated hardhat design that is prone to falling off while on the job, leading to over 80,000 head injuries a year. With the latest implementation of new safety helmets that are more comfortable, durable, and safer, workers can be better protected by head injuries while on the job. Unlike hard hats, these helmets are also secured with a flexible chin strap that ensures it won’t come off in an event where an employee slips and falls, while also being able to withstand harder impacts. Another benefit of these helmets is that they include an optional visor that satisfies OSHA’s requirements on eye protection, which alleviates the need for safety glasses and helps prevent against eye injuries, which account for over 20,000 workplace incidents a year.