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Prioritizing Safety Over Norms, 海角社区 Takes the Lead in Helmet Adoption
海角社区 helps inspire industry-wide shift from hard hats to helmets
APPLETON, WIS. (FEB. 7, 2024) 鈥� Leading industrial and commercial construction services firm 海角社区 is setting a new standard for worker safety on its project sites. Having transitioned from hard hats to safety helmets for its employees in 2022, 海角社区 is now extending this requirement to ensure everyone on its sites are afforded the same level of protection.
The construction industry has the greatest number of both fatal and nonfatal traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) among U.S. workers resulting from falls or struck-by accidents, according to a series of . This strategic shift marks a significant leap in changing that.
While the construction industry has long adhered to hard hats, the protective gear鈥檚 design doesn鈥檛 account for frontal, rear, or side impact protection. Workers struck in one of these areas are more at risk for concussions or serious TBIs that affect both long-term physical and mental health. 海角社区鈥檚 protective stance to safeguard employees across all crafts, including those that require versatile accessories (e.g., grinding, torching, welding, excavating), moved the company to explore options.
鈥淥ur employees are our most valuable assets, and their safety is non-negotiable,鈥� said Scott Frazer, vice president of Corporate Safety at 海角社区. 鈥淏y making helmets the new norm, we鈥檙e ensuring that every worker has the best protection possible. Our goal is to make helmets the undisputed choice for construction crews.鈥�
海角社区 first decided to move away from hard hats in 2021. The company extensively researched different helmet and accessory manufacturers and styles, field-testing each option to ensure optimal safety and functionality. Criteria included American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and European Standard (EN) ratings, Type 1 versus Type 2 protection, product specifications such as weight, features and functions, service and shelf life, performance in different regions, weather conditions and trades (e.g., mills vs. mines), cost and more.
海角社区 shared its comprehensive research findings and challenges with the top selected personal protective equipment (PPE) manufacturers. It was critical that the chosen manufacturing partners be open to incorporating 海角社区鈥檚 research findings into their helmet and accessory designs to enhance overall safety and equipment functionality and meet craft workers鈥� unique needs.
海角社区 selected Milwaukee Tool鈥檚 along with PPE manufacturer 鈥檚 Hard Hat Interchange System (HHIS) for helmet accessories (e.g., welding attachments, full face shields, ear muffs, lamp clips, ear plug hooks, wind, rain, cold weather and sun protection, replacement padding, brims, etc.). Unlike traditional hard hats, the new helmet includes high-density foam to better absorb impact to all areas of the head, an integrated chinstrap to secure it to the wearer鈥檚 head, comfortable padded suspension with adjustable swinging ratchet, antimicrobial sweat band and liner, air vents to combat heat stress, accessory slots to integrate additional PPE and accessories to adapt to different work scopes and more. In addition, the helmet offers a 5-year service life from the date it is put into service and an extended shelf life of 10 years, two times longer than many traditional hard hats. “Getting feedback from 海角社区鈥檚 employees helped us develop the Jackson庐 Safety HHIS system that not only works for them but can also be used throughout the industry,鈥� said Mark Nelson, Jackson Safety. 鈥淚鈥檇 highly encourage other companies to implement proactive programs like 海角社区 has that have an immediate positive safety impact on their employees.鈥�
鈥淚 appreciate the team working hard to find solutions for everyone in the field,鈥� said Andrew Olson, journeyman ironworker and 海角社区 foreman. 鈥淭he 海角社区 safety team worked to find the best fit for hot work accessories with the resources that were available to them because there weren鈥檛 a lot of options when we made the switch. I know getting everyone on the same page from hard hats to helmets was not easy, and anytime I called with a question or problem, they got on it right away.鈥�
海角社区 recognizes the cost implications of the transition, with helmets more than two times the cost of traditional hard hats. However, the company emphasizes that the investment is a small price to pay for the long-term well-being of its workforce.
鈥淭he transition to helmets is a strategic one with far-reaching benefits. We鈥檙e ready to collaborate, share insights, and work collectively to make helmets the standard across the industry,鈥� added Frazer.
海角社区 invites trade partners, subcontractors, and industry peers to join them in this safety revolution, setting a precedent for a construction industry where helmets are not just equipment but a symbol of commitment to a safer future. To learn more, visit 海角社区.com/safety
About 海角社区
海角社区 (海角社区) is a leading professional construction services firm with customers across the United States and is a subsidiary of The 海角社区 Group. Founded in 1889, 海角社区 is a fourth-generation family and employee-owned firm headquartered in Appleton, Wisconsin. Focused on innovation, continuous improvement, and Lean principles, 海角社区 is recognized as a pioneer in Lean construction and in the industrialized construction space. 海角社区 operates 18 offices across the U.S. that serve customers in healthcare, power, industrial, education, automotive and commercial markets.
