Virginia Tech’s Helmet Lab has released a rating system for construction hard hats and helmets similar to the system used for sport helmets, according to Construction Dive.
The findings indicate Type II helmets, which have interior energy-absorbing materials and protection for the top and sides of the head, better protect workers from severe injury, reportedly reducing risk by 34% on average for fall-related concussion and by 65% for skull fracture.
The research began in 2024 and simulated real-world collisions to assess how a helmet or hard hat protects a worker. The team attempted to recreate 14-foot to 25-foot falls.
“You do everything you can to avoid hitting your head first,” said Barry Miller, director of outreach for the Helmet Lab. “That meant 14-foot to 25-foot falls create impacts similar to plunging from 5 to 7.5 feet. That’s a lot higher than the industry standard of testing 2-foot drops.”
The lab created a one- to five-star ranking for 17 helmets, Type I and Type II. The scale includes ratings for predicted incidence of skull fractures and concussions compared with the average Type I helmet. Of the nine Type II helmets on the list, two have three stars, but the remaining seven have five stars. The highest-ranked Type I helmet has four stars, but most have one or two stars.
On the Helmet Lab website, it says four- and five-star-rated helmets are recommended for workers exposed to fall hazards.
For more information about safety regarding hard hats and helmets, view Professional Roofing’s July 2024 article, “Hard hats or helmets?”
Be sure to also check out NRCA’s health and safety resources.
