Every year in the month of May, construction companies across the country acknowledge National Construction Safety Week to refocus and re-energize efforts to eliminate jobsite incidents – an increasingly important mission given that construction is consistently in the top 10 industries for workplace fatalities according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2024.
One of the biggest risks? Head injuries – many of which can be avoided with the right personal protective equipment. While most construction job sites already recommend safety helmets that meet industry standards, evolving requirements that include Type 2 helmets are helping raise the bar for protection, offering broader coverage in environments where risks come from more than just overhead hazards.
As Type 2 helmets become more common, it’s essential to understand what sets them apart and why they offer better protection in high-risk environments. In this blog, we’ll break down the most common injury scenarios on construction sites and how the right Type 2 helmet, when matched to the right task, can help reduce them.
Construction sites are a different kind of dangerous
When you think about head protection, most people picture an object falling from above – and with good reason. Falling tools and materials are a real risk on any jobsite. But that’s only part of the story.
Construction sites are full of hazards: slips and falls, low-hanging beams, moving equipment, and tight spaces. Workers aren't just at risk from above; they face dangers from every angle: the side, back, and front.
That’s why understanding the difference between helmet types matters. Type 1 helmets are designed to protect against vertical, top-of-head impacts. Type 2 helmets, on the other hand, provide protection from both vertical and lateral impacts, offering broader coverage in high-risk environments like construction.
Both helmet types meet ANSI/ISEA Z89.1 safety standards and are effective, depending on the environment. Learn more about the differences between Type 1 and Type 2 helmets here.
Common construction injuries that a type 2 helmet could help prevent
The construction industry experiences the most fatal and non-fatal traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) in the workforce. In 2021, nearly 1 in 5 workplace deaths occurred in the construction industry, and of those, just over one-third were caused by slips, trips, and falls involving direct impact to the head. Now, what exactly are the factors that cause these kinds of incidents?
Here are some of the most common construction injuries where a Type 2 helmet could help reduce the severity or likelihood of harm – and some everyday job site scenarios where those injuries could happen.
Struck-by incidents:
Hazards: Impact from falling tools or swinging equipment
Scenario: Working beneath scaffolding, cranes, or overhead lifts
Why Type 2 helmets help: Protects from both vertical and angled side impacts when objects don’t fall straight down
Slips and falls:
Hazards: Head striking beams, equipment, or concrete after a fall
Scenario: Climbing, scaffolding, walking on uneven or wet surfaces
Why Type 2 helmets help: Lateral and rear protection helps absorb impact during falls where the worker hits the ground or nearby structures
Equipment collisions:
Hazards: Getting pinned or bumped by mobile equipment (skid steers, forklifts, etc.)
Scenario: High activity zones with limited visibility and tight spaces
Why Type 2 helmets help: Adds side and back protection in areas where workers can be jostled or struck from the side
Structural bumps:
Hazards: Walking into fixed objects like beams, piping, or rebar
Scenario: Confined or low clearance workspaces
Why Type 2 helmets help: Reinforced side and front protection for unforeseen circumstances
These are just a few of the hazards workers face every day – and the reality is, risks like these are present on nearly every construction site. While OSHA doesn’t currently mandate Type 2 helmets for construction, Type 2 helmets are quickly becoming the preferred choice for high-risk environments. With enhanced protection from impacts on the sides, front, and back of the head, more safety managers and crews are choosing them for the added peace of mind they provide.
Common Type 2 helmet misconceptions – and how HexArmor® is working to solve them
Despite the increasing demand for enhanced head protection, Type 2 helmets are still relatively new to many in the construction industry. Some companies haven’t made the switch yet, and it’s often due to some lingering misconceptions and resistance to change about what Type 2 helmets are really like.
Aren’t Type 2 helmets too heavy or bulky?
With advances in designs and materials, like lightweight ABS shells and suspension systems, Type 2 helmets can be just as comfortable as traditional Type 1 helmets.
At HexArmor®, we’ve engineered the next step in comfort and protection. Our helmets offer ergonomically correct, true center of gravity head protection that feels lighter and more balanced than anything on the market – eliminating the “heavy” or “bulky” feeling workers often associate with Type 2 helmets.
Isn’t a regular hard hat good enough?
For many jobs, a Type 1 helmet still meets OSHA and ANSI/ISEA standards. However, construction sites often present multidirectional hazards, and a Type 2 helmet provides an extra layer of protection when impacts can happen from any angle. This is something a safety manager would be able to determine at specific sites.
Don’t Type 2 helmets require chinstraps?
The short answer: No, Type 2 helmets are not required to have a chinstrap. However, chinstraps are highly recommended, especially in environments like construction, where slips, trips, and falls are common, creating potential for knocking the helmet off the head.
Workers sometimes associate chinstraps with discomfort, particularly in hot conditions where something touching the face or neck can feel bothersome. That’s why all HexArmor® helmets come with removable chinstraps, giving workers the flexibility to wear them when needed. For more information and to clear up other common chinstrap misconceptions, check out our full blog here.
We’ve used the same helmets for years – why change now?
This kind of thinking is more common than people expect. In many industries, not just limited to construction, helmet design hasn’t changed much in decades – and workers often get attached to familiar styles, whether it be classic full-brim or cap-style hard hats.
The good news is crews don’t have to sacrifice familiarity to upgrade protection. Type 2 helmets aren’t all cap-style – HexArmor® offers a full-brim Type 2 helmet, the Ceros® XT400, designed to look and feel like what crews already prefer, all while delivering lateral and rear impact protection. It’s the next generation of safety helmets, made to meet the job where it is today.
Type 2 protection for construction workers
Designed specifically to meet the demands of today's high-risk environments – especially those in the construction industry – the Ceros® XT400 Type 2, available in Class C and Class E, helmet offers industry-leading protection without sacrificing comfort, breathability, or performance.
Key features include:
- Optimized fit prioritizes comfort for long hours on the job
- Premium ABS shell for a high level of durability and impact resistance
- Full brim design for increased protection against sun, rain, and debris, with a scalloped edge for better earmuff compatibility
- Wide airflow vents located on both sides for a cool, breathable feel (Class C only)
- Pre-assembled four-point chin strap for security and convenience
- Textured brim for better grip, even with gloved hands
- Unique matte and gloss finish with large areas for company logo customization
- Interior EPS foam with specialized ventilation geometry to absorb impacts from the front, rear, and sides
- Front and rear accessory clips for secure attachment of headlamp straps
And because jobsite demands vary, the XT400 is also available with an optional Mips® safety system, offering advanced rotational impact protection for even greater peace of mind.
HexArmor® can help
Modern designs like the Ceros® XT400 solve the concerns that once kept workers away from Type 2 helmets, delivering breathable, lightweight, low-profile protection that’s built for real-world construction environments.
Plus, with seamless compatibility with our universal face shield, earmuffs, and accessories, it’s ready to integrate into any crew’s PPE program with ease.
Are you ready to integrate Type 2 helmets into your construction PPE line-up? Let us know if you need help or are ready to start a trial – our Solution Specialists are ready to help. Call 1.877.MY ARMOR or send us a message.
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