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The construction industry has more fatal and nonfatal traumatic brain injuries than any other profession in the United States.
Falls, struck-by accidents and vehicle crashes are common — but often preventable — causes. Here is what you need to know about construction PPE to protect your head and strategies to minimize your risk of a work-related brain injury.
Helmets Instead of Hard Hats
A hard hat has long been an essential piece of a construction worker’s uniform, but the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) now recommends safety helmets as a better option to prevent head injuries on construction sites.
The advantages of construction helmets over hard hats include:
- Better impact resistance and lighter weight.
- Chin strap ensures the helmet stays on during a fall.
- Some models include face shields or goggles.
Construction Site Safety Tips
Falls
Problem: Falls cause more than half of all fatal work-related brain injuries. Research shows that workers for small construction companies (less than 20 employees) and workers over the age of 65 have greater risk of fatal head injuries.
Solution: OSHA recommends employers hold annual Safety Stand-Down meetings to discuss fall risks with their employees. OSHA rules require employers to provide fall protection and the right equipment — including appropriate ladders, scaffolds and safety gear such as harnesses — for workers who are 6 feet or more above the ground. Extreme heat can affect balance, cloud thinking and slow reaction time, so on hot days roofers need more water and longer breaks.
Struck-by accidents
Problem: Struck-by accidents are the second-leading cause of death on construction sites and the leading cause of nonfatal injuries. They occur when workers are hit by airborne objects, vehicles or heavy equipment.
Solution: To limit the danger, workers should wear construction helmets and high-visibility clothing and avoid hazardous areas on a jobsite. Danger zones include areas under loads; inside the swing radius of a backhoe, crane or excavator; and within the blind spots of any piece of heavy machinery. Operators of heavy equipment need to follow travel routes that are designated in a construction site safety plan. They need to drive at a safe speed, use a backup alarm while moving in reverse and obey the signals of a spotter. Workers should tether their tools to their belt when working above ground to avoid dropping them on co-workers.
Vehicle Crashes
Problem: Construction jobsites can be dangerous, but so can the roads to and from the site. Vehicle crashes are the leading cause of work-related deaths across all industries, and construction employees accounted for 14% of work-related traffic deaths in 2020 — second only to the transportation and warehouse industry.
Solution: A robust safety program that encourages defensive-driving tactics, regular vehicle maintenance and Department of Transportation compliance is a must. Research has shown onboard safety monitoring devices combined with driver feedback and coaching can decrease accidents 38.1% and reduce serious accidents by 59.1%. EquipmentShare’s T3 operating system offers several features that potentially can improve driver safety, including T3 Dash Cams, Alerts and E-Logs to ensure driver compliance.
Learn more about how T3 can make your company safer.
