The International Safety Equipment Association (ISEA), together with J.J. Keller, a provider of safety and compliance solutions, has released a comprehensive study on head protection practices and challenges, underscoring how standards organizations have an opportunity to educate the industry.

The study, available online, includes several key findings:

• Head Protection Terminology Is Unclear in the Market Today. There is significant confusion and over-simplification in the differences (and similarities) between hardhats and helmets.
• Managers are Navigating Complicated Decision-Making Processes. When it comes to safety, managers find it difficult to get employees to consistently wear head protection.
• Care and Maintenance of Head Protection Needs Improvement. There’s room for improvement in this area: Only 54% of responding safety managers train workers on how to maintain their head protection.
• Standards Organizations, Manufacturers, and Other Experts Have an Opportunity to Educate the Industry. With their expertise, professionals in these industries can offer safety managers with clarity, guidance, and education to address the evolving landscape of head protection.

“Head protection has been a cornerstone of workplace safety for decades,” said Cam Mackey, president and CEO of ISEA. “While the growing variety of head protection options provides greater choice, it has also introduced some confusion for safety professionals and workers. Addressing these challenges head-on and clarifying the most effective solutions and standards will ensure better protection and safety for all.”

ISEA and J.J. Keller experts will host a free webcast titled “Head Protection Practices and Challenges: A J. J. Keller and ISEA Collaborative Study,” examining the results, on November 13, 2024, at 2:00 p.m. ET.