Transition to Safety Helmets White Paper
Prepared by:
Bill Nichols
Environmental Health & Safety Director
797.329.0474 wwnichols@rosendin.com
Contributor:
Scott Risch, CSP, CHST
Vice President of Environmental Health & Safety 682.220.5525 drisch@rosendin.com
September 12, 2024
TRANSITION TO SAFETY HELMETS
WHY HELMETS?
The construction industry has the greatest number of both fatal and nonfatal traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) among U.S. workplaces. Between 2003 to 2010, 2,210 construction workers died because of a TBI These deaths represented 25% of all construction related fatalities.
WHAT IS A TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY (TBI)?
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a disruption in the normal function of the brain that can be caused by a bump, blow, or jolt to the head, or penetrating head injury TBIs are a global public health problem and is a leading cause of injury-related death and disability. While TBIs can be mild, some can be fatal or cause short- to long-term disability.
OVERVIEW
The construction industry is transitioning to a new generation of head protection in the form of the safety helmet, replacing the traditional hard hat as the personal protective equipment (PPE) option of choice. The evolution of head protection from the traditional hard hat to the safety helmet is the result of many years of case studies involving head injuries across different industries. Proper head protection is crucial in construction environments due to the increased risk of falling objects, struck-by, overhead electrical hazards, as well as slips, trips, and falls.
Head protection, whether it is a safety helmet or a hard hat, varies in styles, levels of protection, and overall fit For construction sites, especially those with high risks of falling objects and debris, impacts from equipment, awkward working positions, and/or slip, trip, and fall hazards, a Type II safety helmet with chin straps is becoming the most selected PPE for head protection. The addition of the chin strap is a game changer, supporting the helmet remaining on the head in the event of a worker bending over or falling to the ground.
JUSTIFICATION FOR THE SAFETY HELMET
The transition from the traditional hard hat to the safety helmet is in effort to provide added protection from the head becoming struck by objects or contacting the ground or other objects in the event of a slip, trip, or fall. The safety helmet, having a more secure internal harness system along with a chin strap, will support the helmet remaining on the worker’s head in the event one of the above were to occur. In referencing the decision to transition to the safety helmet for all staff, OSHA referenced safety statistics from the years 2021 through 2022, where there were 195,000 occupational head injuries and 684
deaths, resulting from insufficient head protection, or the lack of suitable protective equipment being used, as reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and the National Safety Council (NSC).
THE SAFETY HELMET
The safety helmet incorporates changes to the traditional hard hat by having a retention system that includes a chin strap with at least four points of independent attachments to the helmet shell, creating enhanced suspension. Approved safety helmets must meet American National Standards Institute (ANSI) Standard and International Safety Equipment Association (ISEA) Z89.1-2014 for shock absorbing, roll-off, resistivity, and durability standards
TESTING STANDARD
ANSI/ISEA Z89.1: compliant head protection, including safety helmets and hard hats, are manufactured using a wide range of materials from high density polyethylene to glass reinforced nylon. Some hard hats and safety helmets incorporate advanced energy re-distribution solutions that reduce rotational forces of certain impacts and distribute impact energy throughout the headwear to help reduce brain trauma. The inclusion of chin straps is recognized as an effective way to keep head protection on when working in awkward positions or when experiencing a slip or fall and have become accepted for use with all head protection.
SAFETY HELMET TYPES AND CLASSIFICATIONS
Protective helmets are categorized by durability for impact resistance and electrical resistance by class. There are two types of helmets based on the level of protection they provide from impacts:
• Type I: helmets are intended to reduce the force of impact resulting from a blow only to the top of the head.
• Type II: helmets are intended to reduce the force of impact resulting from a blow to the top or side of the head.
Helmets are also designed to reduce electrical shock when working near exposed electrical conductors that may contact the head. There are three classes of helmets based on the level of protection they provide from electrical hazards:
• Class E (Electrical): helmets are intended to reduce the danger of contact with higher voltage conductors and are proof tested at 20,000 volts.
• Class G (General): helmets are intended to reduce the danger of contact with low voltage conductors and are proof tested at 2,200 volts.
• Class C (Conductive): helmets are not intended to provide protection against contact with electrical hazard.
STANDARD
ANSI Z89.1
1. ANSI Type I
2. ANSI Type II
3. ANSI Helmet Classes
DETAILS / EXPLANATIONS
ANSI Z89.1 is the voluntary consensus standard for head protection. Promulgated into law by OSHA 1926.100.
1. Designed to reduce the force of impact and resist shell penetration resulting from a blow to the top of the head; and
2. Designed to reduce the force of impact and resist shell penetration resulting from a blow to the top, front, back, and sides of the head.
To improve comprehension and usefulness, there are electrical-protective classifications for helmets as follows:
• Class G – General helmet: Designed to reduce exposure to low voltage conductors, tested at 2200 Volts.
• Class E – Electrical helmet: Designed to reduce exposure to high voltage conductors, tested at 20,000 Volts.
• Class C – Conductive helmet: Not intended to provide protection against contact with electrical conductors.
MILWAUKEE BOLT™ SAFETY HELMET
Rosendin is implementing the Milwaukee BOLT™ safety helmet; Type II, Class E, non-vented helmet, white in color for our brand standard When worn properly and maintained, this helmet will provide our teams advanced protection for the type of work we frequently perform, providing them the greatest level of protecting from unforeseen circumstances.
These helmets meet all applicable safety and performance standards outlined in ANSI/ISEA Z89.1.
APPROVED / NON-APPROVED ATTACHMENTS
APPROVED ATTACHMENTS
BOLT™ Low-Profile Headlamp Mount
BOLT™ USB Headlamp
BOLT™ 24/26dB Earmuffs
BOLT™ Full Face Shield
BOLT™ Marker Clip
BOLT™ Sun Visor / Sunshade
BOLT™ Safety Helmet Cooling Liner
BOLT™ Hard Hat Cooling Sweat Band
CATALOGUE NUMBER NON-APPROVED ATTACHMENTS
48-73-1094 BOLT™ Eye Visor
2118-21; 2163-21; & 2012R
48-73-1419
Attachments from Non-Milwaukee Helmets ALL
48-73-3250 Attachments Requiring Penetration of Helmets ALL
48-73-1429
48-73-1086
48-73-1072
48-73-4544
48-73-4542
RESOURCES
1. Construction Industry (29 CFR 1926.100): Head Protection: This standard requires that “Employees working in areas where there is a possible danger of head injury from impact, or from falling or flying objects, or from electrical shock and burns, shall be protected by protective helmets.” 29 CFR 1926.100(a).
2. MILWAUKEE® Website. Product overview page. https://www.milwaukeetool.com/Products/4873-1321.
3. United States Department of Labor. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA): Safety and Health Information Bulletin, SHIB 3-6-2024 Head Protection: Safety Helmets in the Workplace. 2024.
4. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), 2021 -2022 reporting years. Website. https://safetyequipment.org/worker_protections/head-protection/.
5. National Safety Council (NSC), Website. https://injuryfacts.nsc.org/work/industry-incidencerates/occupational-profile/.
6. National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). https://blogs.cdc.gov/nioshscience-blog/2022/11/10/construction-helmets/
FREQUENTLY ASKED
QUESTIONS (FAQ’S)
Why is Rosendin Electric making this transition?
As mentioned in the white paper, the industry is shifting away from the traditional hard hat to the safety helmet in effort to eliminate head injuries and related deaths. The safety helmet provides an enhanced harness system and padding, as well as a chin strap aimed at keeping the device on the worker ’s head to prevent contact with objects during work or slips, trips, and falls.
Is the industry making this transition or just Rosendin Electric?
The construction industry, as well as other industries, are amidst transitioning from the traditional hard hat to safety helmets. This change is in effort to eliminate, or reduce, the number of traumatic head and brain injuries on the job.
What is the difference between a hard hat and a safety helmet?
The hard hat, while meeting certain impact and electrical resistivity, does not have a harness system and chin strap aimed at keeping the device on a worker’s head. The safety helmet provides an enhanced harness system and padding, as well as a chin strap aimed at keeping the device on the worker’s head to prevent contact with objects during work or slips, trips, and falls.
Will I need to pay for a safety helmet to replace hard hat with a safety helmet?
No. Rosendin will work with appropriate management to ensure that safety helmets are provided over the course of several months.
Can I select the type and style of safety helmet that I want to wear?
No. The Rosendin EHS team is working with management to ensure that the appropriate brand, style, and features of safety helmet are suitable for the type of work expected to be completed on projects.
Am I able to obtain accessories for the safety helmet?
Yes. The white paper explains the acceptable accessories that can be used with the company-selected safety helmets. These include head lamps, eye-protection visor, * earmuff attachments, and a marker clip.
*PLEASE NOTE: The eye visors will not be a substitute for safety glasses Safety glasses will need to be worn to reduce the potential for debris entering the eyes.
When will the transition to safety helmets take place, or be completed?
Rosendin Electric has started the transition with most employees planned to receive them by September 2024. Most employees are expected to have received a safety helmet by the end of Q3 2024.