Developments in Protective Headgear May Reduce the Risk of Concussions in the Construction Industry.
Head injuries remain an outsized risk to labor workers. However, a new type of hard hat may have the technology to reduce devastating workplace brain injuries.
This is especially good news for the construction industry. About 7 percent of all head injuries at work occur in construction. Nationwide, there were more than 5,150 reports of construction workers with head injuries in 2020, according to the most recent U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Hard hats provide construction workers with significant protection from objects that fall directly onto them, but not from objects that hit from at an angle, developers of the new hard hat say. An angeled hit causes the head to rotate suddenly. The resulting injuries often include concussions or other traumatic brain injuries.
Hard hat technology developers and manufacturers, WaveCel, say their new equipment protects against direct and oblique hits to the head.
Advancements in hard hat technology
At Hochman & Plunkett, Co., L.P.A., we know head injuries that cause brain damage represent some of the most life-altering and devastating injuries that can befall a worker. With more than 150 years of combined legal experience, our Ohio workers' compensation lawyers have seen the effects firsthand.
Our attorneys hope that the new hard hat technology is successful. Anything that reduces the risk of serious injuries to employees is a positive improvement. The new hard hat technology should be considered by construction companies and other businesses where workers are exposed to head injury hazards.
Still, even with the best personal protective equipment (PPE), accidents can happen at work. If you were injured at work in Ohio, we can fight to get you the compensation you deserve for your injuries, lost wages, and, if applicable, disabilities. Get answers to your work injury-related legal questions and contact Hochman & Plunkett for a free work injury case consultation.
How the new hard hat works
While advancements have been made in protective headgear for activities like motorcycle riding and playing sports, hard hats haven't changed much in the last 100 years. Traditional hard hats are typically yellow or white plastic shells covering a system of webbing, foam, or another impact-absorbing padding.
"They do a job at reducing force, so they serve a purpose," says WaveCel co-founder Steven Madey. "But if they're not optimized to decrease the spin, they're not optimized to prevent injury."
The WaveCel helmet uses a honeycomb structure of light, breathable materials that are good at absorbing glancing blows and interrupting spin. The new hard hats may take a while for the industry to embrace without a change in federal safety standards, though. WaveCel hardhats cost about $170. That's three times more than the price of a traditional hard hat.
Injured Ohio construction workers may be entitled to compensation
Unfortunately, not all employers are committed to employee safety. Whether your injury was due to the negligence of someone else or an innocent accident, it's important to remember that injured workers have rights. We can protect them.
If you suffered a head injury while on the job in Ohio, you may be able to pursue workers' compensation benefits. In some cases, you may also be eligible to file a third-party lawsuit. The key is to talk to our legal team as soon as possible to review your potential legal options.
Our workers' compensation attorneys and work injury lawyers know how to win in Ohio. A member of our team is available to hear from you any time, day or night. Contact us today to schedule your free case consultation.