Construction companies in Ohio and nationwide are exploring better safety helmet designs to protect workers from fatal head injuries. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration mandates that all workers at risk of an on-the-job head injury must wear protective helmets.
Federal statistics show that over 2,200 construction workers died as a result of traumatic brain injuries, or TBIs, between 2003 and 2010. This calculates to a fatal TBI rate of 2.6 deaths for every 100,000 full-time workers. Falls were the most common cause of fatal TBIs, and workers in the steel and iron industries were the most likely victims. Meanwhile, workers aged 65 and above suffered more TBI fatalities than any other age group.
Typically, construction safety helmets feature inner suspension bands designed to spread the force of any blows to the head. The bands also create a separation between a worker’s skull and the shell of the helmet to absorb potential impacts. However, construction firms have started incorporating advancements made in medical science, engineering science and sports headgear designs to create safer construction helmets. These include models that are less likely to fall off a worker’s head during a fall.
Workers injured in construction site accidents are eligible to file for benefits through their employer’s workers’ compensation insurance. These benefits provide medical and wage replacement payments while an employee is unable to work. In order to ensure that their claims are properly prepared, some workers choose to consult with attorneys before filing. If a worker has already filed a claim and had it denied, legal counsel may be able to get it approved on appeal.