Patented in 1919, hard hats in the U.S. were first made of steamed canvas, glue and black paint. They were meant to protect industrial workers from things that may fall on their heads. Aluminum and fiberglass options became popular in the late 1930s and 1940s before injection molded thermoplastics appeared in the 1950s and soon became the predominate material used in hard hats during the 1960s.
Despite these changes and innovations, the basic structure of the protective head covering hasn't evolved in almost 100 years. And that's an issue because not all head injuries like concussions happen from a direct hit to the head. Many occur when something causes a person's head to rotate suddenly, such as a partial or indirect blow. Traditional hard hats aren't made to absorb these kinds of rotational forces. With one in four mild traumatic brain injuries (TBI) happening at work, construction and industrial workforces are most at risk for concussions.
Signs of a concussion
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), as many as 3.8 million Americans suffer a concussion each year. Concussion symptoms can be physical, cognitive or emotional and can include the following:
- Headache
- Nausea
- Balance problems
- Blurry vision or other vision changes
- Fatigue
- Memory problems
- Sleep issues
- Anxiety
- Depression
While head injuries can be serious, not all require imaging, according to Nicolette Davis, Director of Occupational Medicine with Atrium Health Employer Services. “People have to meet certain criteria to qualify for advanced imaging,” she explains. “Most head injuries can be managed on an outpatient basis.”
However, Davis shares red flags that indicate additional attention is needed following a head injury include loss of consciousness, seizure activity (convulsions), difficulty walking or talking, visual changes and the sudden onset of a severe headache.
Workplace safety
Safety is essential for industries like construction, where workers are at a higher risk of brain injury. Making a safer work environment prevents injury as well as lost time and money due to workers’ compensation claims. A look back at active claims associated with concussions over a five-year period showed they averaged more than $135,000 in total incurred costs per claim—more than double all lost-time claims ($51,000).
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requires that “Employees working in areas where there is a possible danger of head injury from impact, or from falling or flying objects, or from electrical shock and burns, shall be protected by protective helmets.” In addition, employers in these industries must provide hard hats to workers.
Some newer hard hats are designed to help absorb glancing blows that cause concussions. Crafted more like sports helmets, these innovative hard hats act like sand to absorb the force and keep the head from spinning. One example is the hard hat made by Wavecel, which reportedly absorbs 73% more rotational force than a standard hard hat*. Currently, the higher cost of these helmets is a barrier for many employers, but the benefits in terms of preventing brain injury are real.
Beyond hard hats, additional measures employers can take to reduce workplace risk include regular safety huddles before each shift. This is a time to run through the proper safety measures and to remind employees not to pull things from overhead or cut corners that could lead to injury. Davis adds that even if these huddles sound mundane they can make a difference. “Every time these things are said, it is a good reminder to workers that can protect them from concussions and other injuries.”
Learn more about how Atrium Health can help with concussion prevention and workplace safety by contacting Cheryl Bowman, Business Development Manager, at Cheryl.Bowman@wakehealth.edu. Atrium Health also offers a comprehensive sports concussion program for evaluating and managing patients with concussions.
*Mention of the product in this article does not warrant an endorsement of the product and should not be viewed as such.
To learn more about Occupational Medicine from Atrium Health in your area, check out our local websites:
- Charlotte, NC - Atrium Health
- Winston-Salem, NC - Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist
- Rome, GA - Atrium Health Floyd
