A New Generation of Head Protection: Are Hard Hats Being Replaced With Helmets?
A New Generation of Head Protection: Are Hard Hats Being Replaced with Helmets?
A new generation of head protection is now available at D.E. Gemmill’s retail location in York, PA. For over 60 years, hard hats construction went hand and hand, but we are seeing more construction companies incorporating safety helmets into their safety protocols over the traditionally used hard hat. Hard hats seem to be limited to only protecting you from dropped tools or flying objects from above. Anyone who works day in and day out on a construction site may understand that a hard hats design is poorly suited to deflect or absorb impacts to the side or back of the head and if you were to slip, trip or fall you may loose your hard hat and fall without your head protection intact.
The construction industry has the greatest number of both fatal and non-fatal traumatic brain injuries in the US. Workers who are struck by objects in the side or back of the head, risk concussions and traumatic brain injuries, which can affect you long term both physically and mentally. According to the National Library of Medicine in recent years 2,200 construction workers died due to traumatic brain injuries, representing 25% of all construction fatalities. Imagine how many of these lives could have been saved or the severity of these traumatic brain injuries be reduced by having improved head protection.
Safety helmets being used today in construction not only shield against falling objects but certain helmets (Type II) offer increased protection from impacts to the side and back on the head as well as lateral impacts either from off center or to the top of the head. In addition, the chinstrap feature provides increased safety during slips, trips and falls by keeping helmets in place. The implementation of helmets over hard hats has multiple benefits; the worker benefits from less chance of injury, the company benefits from less lost time and workers comp payouts, and insurance companies could benefit from lower risk and less claims. While you may have to spend a little more money upfront, your employee’s safety and them returning home safely to their families everyday is invaluable.
At D.E. Gemmill we continue to explore ways we can offer better solutions in personal protective equipment to improve the safety and health of our customers and all workers in the industry. KASK safety helmets are engineered to exceed the strictest global safety protection standards with intense impact absorption and protection with their high density expanded liner. KASK safety helmets have become recognized around the world for their exceptional safety, attention to design details and worker comfort. Construction companies who have tested and switched to wearing helmets over hardhats mentioned that their employees felt safer while wearing the helmets and the extra protection that the helmets provide outweigh the higher cost. Stop by our Retail Store today at 85 N Belmont Street York, PA 17403 for more information or to try on our new selection of KASK helmets today!
