March 25, 2018
For America’s nearly seven million construction workers, the jobs are rigorous and the hazards plentiful. Injuries from falling objects, airborne fragments and extreme noise can all have devastating lifelong effects on cognition, vision and hearing. Likewise, injuries to the head and eyes are among the most costly to employers.
Construction workers experience the most fatal and nonfatal traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) among U.S. occupations.1 Hard hats are an individual’s first defense against falling objects, heavy equipment, and electric shocks and burns. While hard hats have been employed for more than a century, recent advances significantly improve the protection and comfort they deliver. If the hard hats on your site are more than five years old, it’s time to consider adopting hats with these vital innovations.
First, be sure all hard hats meet the American National Standards Institute’s Z89.1-2014 standard, determine the amount of protection required (Type I