One of the major risks that New Jersey construction workers face is a potentially fatal traumatic brain injury caused by a fall or a falling object. They are required to wear special protective gear when they are working in areas that have these risks. However, some construction firms are looking to improve construction worker head protective gear to reduce the number of fatal traumatic brain injuries even further.
All construction workers are required to wear helmets that are designed to reduce the severity of the impact that could be transferred to the skull. This is accomplished with suspension bands inside the helmet and an inch or so of space between the hat’s shell and the worker’s skull. When an impact hits the hard hat, the helmet is designed to spread over the surface of the helmet and not directly impact the head.
Even though the hard hats can provide construction workers with some protection, there were still 2,210 fatal traumatic brain injuriesreported in that industry between 2003 and 2010. To reduce the risk of this type of injury, some companies are looking at protective head gear designs that are typically used in mountaineering and other extreme hobbies or sports. The difference is that these hats are less likely to fall off a worker’s head if an emergency arises.
If construction workers suffer a head injury while on the job, there will likely be a need for extensive medical care and treatment. Most employers are required to carry workers’ compensation insurance coverage, and an attorney can often assist an injured worker with the preparation and submission of the required claim documentation.
