In the US state of Maryland, a pilot project has begun to determine whether switching from the classic hard hat to a Type II safety helmet can reduce serious head injuries. The Job-Site Safety Institute (JSI), a non-profit organization for safety research and training, and North Carolina State University (NCSU) are working with a local construction company to study whether this helmet type offers better protection than the standard hard hat.
Pilot at Comer Construction
Comer Construction, a site development and heavy construction company in Forest Hill, Maryland (US), has been selected as the test site. On September 1, 2026, NCSU received a research grant to study the safety benefits of Type II helmets, including better protection against falls and impacts with objects, as well as fit, comfort, and how well the helmet stays on the head. The field test on active construction sites runs through 2027 and is intended to map effectiveness, practical considerations, and feasibility with a view to wider adoption across the industry. JSI, founded in 2014 by insurer Builders Mutual Insurance Company, has awarded $1.13 million in research and education grants since its founding and reaches tens of thousands of construction workers and employers each year.
What sets a Type II helmet apart
The difference from a standard hard hat lies in the direction of impact it is designed to protect against. A Type I helmet, the standard on most construction sites, is tested only against impact from above, such as a falling object. Under the US ANSI/ISEA Z89.1 standard, a Type II helmet must also absorb and protect against blows to the side, front, and back of the head. That matters because workers on modern construction sites are not only struck by falling objects but also hit their heads on beams, formwork, or equipment, or sustain head injuries from slipping, tripping, or falling.
Context
Independent occupational safety trade media have long pointed out that most head-protection standards are historically geared toward vertical risks, while many serious head injuries on construction sites are caused by lateral or angled blows. Busier worksites with mobile equipment, limited space, and simultaneous work at different heights increase that risk from all directions, which these sources say explains the recent interest in Type II helmets. According to ISHN, the US construction industry reports roughly 1,000 fatal workplace accidents and 150,000 non-fatal injuries and occupational illnesses each year, and more than 200 construction workers die annually in the US from traumatic brain injury.
What it means for HSE professionals worldwide
The ANSI/ISEA Z89.1 standard applies only in the United States, but the underlying issue is international. In the European Union, the EN 397 standard describes comparable requirements for hard hats, with optional extensions for lateral rigidity; other regions have their own variants. HSE professionals outside the US can therefore mainly read the outcomes of this pilot as a signal that multidirectional head protection belongs on the agenda when choosing and replacing helmets, regardless of which standard applies locally.
Susie Comer, president and treasurer of Comer Construction, calls the partnership a way to put new safety research to the test directly in practice. Erik Anderson, chairman of JSI’s board, expects the pilot to give the industry insight into the benefits of Type II helmets and into how contractors can make the switch on their job sites. The initiative runs through 2027.
Source: Job-Site Safety Institute and Comer Construction Launch Type II Safety Helmet Pilot, October 9, 2026
Additional research: Rethinking Head Protection: Why Type II Helmets Are Gaining Attention on Today’s Jobsites, OHS Online
