Personal protective equipment is an essential component of workplace safety, especially in industries like construction where the risk of injuries is high. Traditional hard hats have been the standard for over a century, protecting workers from impacts to the top of the head. But, as jobsite hazards evolve, so too must our safety equipment. Enter the Type II safety helmet.
Unlike traditional hard hats, Type II helmets are engineered with a suspension system with high-density foam to absorb forces exerted on the top, sides, and back of the head. These helmets also come equipped with a chin strap designed to help prevent the helmet from being displaced during falls or sudden movements. With a manufacturer’s stated service life of up to 10 years, more than double that of most hard hats (yes, hard hats have an expiration date!), Type II helmets also offer long-term value.
Barton Malow is working towards full implementation of Type II helmets across project sites, which will include our team members as well as trade partners and subcontractors. Implementation timelines may vary by jurisdiction and project contract requirements. For instance, several of our active projects require them, including those in the Mission Critical market and some healthcare projects.
Why are we making this switch? Even just one fall from a height is one injury too many, and we cannot wait for the potential of a head injury to impact our team before making the switch to a more protective product.
Impact Tested, Jobsite Proven
Skeptics often argue that Type II safety helmets are only necessary for those working at heights. However, incidents involving falling objects or slips, trips, and falls, common across all areas of a jobsite, demonstrate the broader applicability of these helmets. Their side and rear impact protection is invaluable during steel erection, trenching, interior work, and more. With the construction industry holding the largest number of both fatal and nonfatal work-related traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) among U.S. workplaces, it’s more important than ever to minimize these risks.
On a recent Barton Malow healthcare project, a pole struck a subcontractor, and because the worker was wearing a Type II helmet with the chin strap secured, they avoided head, shoulder, and neck injury. The helmet cracked upon impact, doing exactly what it was designed to do: absorb and deflect force away from the wearer. The utilization of these helmets has provided real-world incidents that showcase their life-saving potential.
Adoption may face resistance in terms of aesthetics and comfort. Many team members have become accustomed to the look and feel of traditional hard hats, often viewing them as a badge of honor. Even stickers that are accumulated over the course of a career hold precious memories for some. But, as more projects mandate Type II helmets, familiarity is growing. Feedback suggests that once workers adjust to the foreign feeling of the chin strap, acceptance follows.
At Barton Malow, we want every team member to go home to their families exactly as they walked into the jobsite and strive for safety to be an “unmistakable mindset” among all. In an industry where one incident can change a life forever, the case for Type II safety helmets is clear: while no helmet can eliminate all risk, it’s time to raise the bar on head protection and embrace the next generation of safety gear.
About the Author: Mindy Schultz, CSP, serves as Vice President of Safety at Barton Malow, where she leads a team of 50 safety professionals. In her four years at Barton Malow, she has made significant and impactful improvements to the safety program, first as a Director overseeing the industrial and self–perform division, and now as the Vice President of Safety overseeing the entirety of the Barton Malow construction enterprise.
With over 20 years of experience, Mindy helped implement several programs committed to safety, and these programs, paired with Mindy’s leadership, led to a 57% improvement in incident rate from the inception of the new program in mid-2021 through the end of the year. Total recordable incidents were cut in half again in 2022. Incident rates improved again in 2024, and Mindy continues to set goals to further continue the momentum toward zero incidents. To contact Mindy, email Mindy.Schultz@bartonmalow.com.