In the fast-paced world of construction and industrial work, the importance of head protection cannot be overstated. Over the past five years, the demand for hard hats and helmets has increased. With contractors now demanding the use of such protective equipment, the safety landscape is undergoing a major transformation. A recognized manufacturer of safety products since 2015, Malta Dynamics is committed to creating a product that not only improves protection but also meets budget constraints that reflect the growing emphasis on worker safety.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has played a pivotal role in approving the switch from traditional helmets to modern safety helmets. In a move intended to better protect employees during inspection sites, OSHA announced the replacement of conventional hard hats with more advanced safety helmets. That decision was fueled by alarming statistics from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, which revealed that head injuries accounted for nearly 6 percent of nonfatal occupational injuries in 2020.
Traditional hard hats, which date back to the 1960s, primarily protect the top of a worker’s head, but lack sufficient side impact protection and chin straps. The absence of chin straps makes them susceptible to falling in case of slips or trips, leaving workers vulnerable. Also, traditional helmets often lack ventilation, which traps heat inside. Recognizing these limitations, OSHA published a Health and Safety Information Bulletin on November 22, 2023, highlighting the key differences between traditional hard hats and modern hard hats.
Learn more: Occupational Health and Safety Administration
The classification system, especially ANSI Z89.1, becomes crucial when considering head protection. Traditional helmets are usually Type 1 devices, focusing on upper impact protection, while helmets, usually Type 2, are subjected to top, side, front and rear impact tests, along with tests for chin strap Malta Dynamics contributes to this evolution by manufacturing helmets with polyethylene and type 2 helmets with ABS plastic, offering different levels of protection and functionality.
Switching to safety helmets has several advantages over traditional helmets. The ANSI Z89.1 Type 2 designation ensures superior impact protection, with chin straps that prevent the helmet from becoming a projectile in secondary impact events.
The helmets also feature a lighter construction, with additional internal components that improve protection. The increased popularity of helmets has spurred manufacturers to introduce cutting-edge accessories, such as integrated eye protection, face shields, earmuffs and headlight shields, which offer a modular and customizable experience for users.
Hard hats have traditionally been synonymous with construction sites, providing essential protection to workers’ heads. However, the evolution of head protection has resulted in the ANSI Type 2 specification, particularly in the form of full brim hard hats. Malta Dynamics has built on the foundations of traditional helmets and introduced significant advancements with a Type 2 full visor helmet, launched this year. What sets the style apart from the full brim is its elongated brim, which provides additional protection from falling debris, rain and sunlight. This design not only improves safety, but also addresses the need for sun protection, which is often a concern in various work environments. Workers can experience the benefits of a traditional helmet with the added benefits of better impact resistance and improved coverage.
Understanding and following company or general contractor guidelines is crucial when deciding between helmets and helmets. Many large contractors have moved from suggesting to requiring the use of ANSI Z89.1 Type 2 helmets, emphasizing the need for workers to be well informed to avoid policy violations. Type 2 helmets clearly offer improved safety in real-world hazard scenarios, but considerations such as cost, electrical ratings, and sun protection must be weighed against specific needs and expectations.
The evolution of head protection from traditional helmets to safety helmets means a positive shift towards improved safety in the workplace. As the industry continues to prioritize worker well-being, decisions about head protection must be made with careful consideration of equipment limitations, consultation with safety professionals, and daily checks to ensure safety of each worker.
