Page 22 - OHS, September 2024

PPE: CONSTRUCTION
Considerations for Choosing Head Protection: OSHA Compliance, Hazard Assessments, and Technology Advancements
What to know about head protection types, classes, accessories, and more.
BY DENNIS CAPIZZI
With so many standards and industry regulations sur- rounding PPE for construction, and various head protection options such as Type I vs. Type II and Classes including Class G, E and C to choose from, it can be challenging to know which head protection solution is right for your specific job site or application. The first step in selecting proper head protection is to conduct a hazard assessment to under- stand the unique risks associated with your job site; and the recently updated Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) “Head Protection: Safety Helmets in the Workplace” Safety and Health Information Bulletin (SHIB)1 also raises many important points about proper head protection selection to consider.
Why Proper Head Protection
is Important for Construction Workers
Year over year, industrial workers in the United States continue to experience on-the-job injuries and fatalities related to falling ob- jects and equipment as well as slips, trips and falls. Between 2021 and 2022, some of the top causes of days away from work included “slips, trips, and falls” and “contact with objects and equipment.”2
One of the most serious types of injuries that can result from falling objects and equipment or slips, trips, and falls is Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). A commonly known form of a TBI is a concus- sion. This is especially important for construction workers, as ac- cording to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the construction industry has the greatest number of both fatal and nonfatal work-related TBI among U.S. workplaces.3
This makes understanding construction job site hazards tied to falling objects and equipment or slips, trips, and falls, as well as dif- ferences in Type I and Type II impact protection even more impor- tant for workers in this industry. OSHA’s “Head Protection: Safety Helmets in the Workplace” SHIB states that “Proper head protec- tion is crucial in work environments with falling objects, struck-by, overhead electrical hazards, and risks from slips, trips, and falls.”
Understanding the OHSA “Head Protection:
Safety Helmets in the Workplace” SHIB
An updated version of OSHA’s “Head Protection: Safety Helmets in the Workplace” SHIB was released in April 2024, following the origi- nal release in November 2023, to help clarify some key points about head protection types, classes and considerations when selecting a solution. The OSHA SHIB states, “With a thorough understanding of the benefits and capabilities of head protection options, employ- ers and workers can make informed decisions on selection and use.”
The SHIB states that “modern head protection—whether it’s a safety helmet or a hard hat—varies in styles and levels of protec- tion, allowing employers and workers to choose head protection appropriate for the job.” OSHA continues, “Employers must con-
duct a hazard assessment at their job site and based on the work- place hazards, determine whether head protection is necessary and, if so, the most appropriate type.”
Head Protection Types and Classes
Outlined in the OSHA SHIB
OSHA recognizes two Types (impact) and three Classes (electri- cal) of head protection.
These include:
■ Type I head protection, offering protection from impacts to the top of the head.
■ Type II head protection, offering protection from impacts to the top of the head as well as lateral protection
■ Class G (General) head protection, designed to help reduce exposure to low-voltage conductors and proof tested at 2,200 volts (phase to ground).
■ Class E (Electrical) head protection, designed to help reduce exposure to higher voltage conductors and proof tested at 20,000 volts (phase to ground).
■ Class C (Conductive) head protection, which is not intended to provide protection against contact with electrical hazards.
The SHIB also notes that accessories such as chinstraps, face shields, eye protection and hearing protection may also be consid- ered to address specific job site and application hazards.
20 Occupational Health & Safety | SEPTEMBER 2024
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