A study recently published by researchers at George Mason University and North Carolina State University found that education and exposure to Type II safety helmets could increase adoption, especially in smaller construction firms.

The study, Transitioning from Hard Hats to Safety Helmets, was conducted under a grant from the Job-Site Safety Institute. JSI wanted to explore why workers at smaller construction businesses, such as home builders, were slow to adopt the new helmets and how that can change.

Head protection has long been a cornerstone of worker safety in the construction industry. Traditional Type I hard hats, introduced more than a century ago, were designed to protect workers from vertical impacts caused by falling objects. Their lightweight and affordable design have made them ubiquitous on construction sites around the world.

But as construction site environments changed and job site injury data were more closely tracked, it became apparent that many head injuries were being caused by falls and trauma to the side and back of the head, which traditional hard hats do not protect.

In recent years, there has been a push to adopt the Type II helmet as the primary safety hat in construction. Its chin strap keeps the helmet on in falls, and the shape provides protection to the sides and back of the head.

At NAHB’s Spring Leadership Meeting in 2023, OSHA presented a case for helmets to the NAHB Safety and Health Committee and noted that it was starting a pilot program to encourage use of Type II helmets.

Countless studies and occupational safety experts have declared that the Type II helmets are far safer than traditional hard hats. But adoption of the helmets remains uneven, especially among small construction contractors. JSI wanted researchers to map out an intervention that could help spur more broad adoption.

Researchers developed a targeted informational intervention designed to improve knowledge, perceptions and willingness to adopt Type II safety helmets among workers primarily engaged in residential construction projects. A total of 46 participants were recruited for a structured case study.

The findings revealed that the intervention was highly effective in improving participants’ familiarity with Type II helmets and increasing their willingness to adopt them, with over 75% expressing a positive attitude toward transition after the intervention. However, barriers such as cost, employer policies, and workplace norms were identified as significant obstacles to practical implementation.

After handling and testing the helmets, over 92% of participants said they offer superior protection and 87% said they preferred the helmets over hard hats.

But many participants noted that cost was a major concern and that they, as employees, have “No influence on employer purchasing decisions.” The researchers noted that the helmets can cost $50-100 more than hard hats. The two helmet models given to participants in the study retail for around $150 each.

Researchers concluded that a coordinated, multichannel outreach strategy that combines education, partnerships, incentives and community engagement will be critical to advancing adoption efforts. OSHA should be the leader of the outreach with support from trusted industry groups such as NAHB and Associated General Contractors.

If outreach does not work, the study suggests more prescriptive methods, such as public agencies incorporating head protection standards into their procurement requirements and OSHA considering updated guidance or standards.

Home builders should seriously explore procuring Type II helmets for their employees and encourage subcontractors to require them as well. If there is better protection available, it should always be used.