“You wouldn\u2019t buy a pair of shoes that didn\u2019t fit. The hard hat a worker wears on site for seven or eight hours a day is no different”<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
In 2017 Eurostat<\/a> (Directorate-General of the European Commission, providing statistical information to institutions of the European Union) reported that head injuries<\/a> accounted for over 22 per cent of all fatal accidents and 6.5 per cent of non-fatal injuries at work across the EU\u2019s 28 member states.<\/p>\n
The main reason for the injuries (and worse) is that operatives are still likely to take off their hard hats if they are feeling uncomfortable. \u201cA construction worker\u2019s job can be demanding enough without having to worry about what\u2019s protecting their head, but if the hard hat they\u2019re wearing is ill-fitting, bulky, heavy or poorly balanced, then they\u2019ll probably do just that \u2013 worry,\u201d says Cliff.<\/p>\n
\u201cOr worse, they won\u2019t wear it. A worker wearing a comfortable hard hat \u2013 one that\u2019s balanced, fits properly, and works well with accessories \u2013 is free to concentrate on the job at hand and, crucially, more likely to keep it on all day.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou wouldn\u2019t buy a pair of shoes that didn\u2019t quite fit,\u201d he continues. \u201cThey would pinch your feet and hurt, perhaps hamper the way you walk and likely make you a little miserable. The hard hat a worker wears on a construction site for upwards of seven or eight hours a day is no different. It\u2019s down to us as manufacturers to develop great head protection that people want to wear.\u201d<\/p>\n
The right fit<\/h3>\n
However, the importance of well-fitting hard hats isn\u2019t just about safety, according to Cliff. Rather, it can also have an appreciable influence on workforce happiness, which in turn has an impact on the work that they do. \u201cFrom a business perspective, comfortable heads also contribute to a workforce\u2019s general happiness and wellbeing, thus unlocking all sorts of benefits for workers and importantly, the business,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n
“Construction work comes with associated hazards and requires physical exertion and mental aptitude”<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
As recent studies have demonstrated, a happy workforce also tends to be a more productive workforce, which given the UK economy\u2019s low productivity rates \u2013 something that is particularly problematic in the construction industry \u2013 is something that requires consideration. \u201cConstruction work comes with associated hazards and requires both physical exertion and mental aptitude,\u201d says Cliff.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat is why hard hats need to be adapted to the workers\u2019 task, his or her working environment, fit comfortably, work seamlessly, and provide the highest level of safety. If it doesn\u2019t, it can impact workers\u2019 confidence. A more confident operative typically makes for a happier, more productive worker. Forbes<\/em> even suggests<\/a> that a happier employee can be up to 20 per cent more productive.\u201d<\/p>\n
As well as safety considerations, a comfier hard hat should increase workers’ productivity<\/p><\/div>\n
For that reason, Cliff concludes, construction bosses are always trying to find ways to boost productivity \u2013 and investing in hard hats that provide comfort as well as safety is a sound option. \u201cLots of things can contribute to a worker\u2019s happiness on site, of course, but just like those shoes that don\u2019t quite fit, an uncomfortable hard hat can bring the mood of your workforce down,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n
\u201cDelivering projects on time and in budget is a constant challenge and dependent on many different factors. It\u2019s why, understandably, safety and project managers are constantly on the lookout for anything that can make their project run more efficiently. Well, the hard hats your workers wear can help,\u201d he finishes.<\/p>\n
![\"Worker](\"https:\/\/cdn.ca.emap.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2020\/01\/MSA-pic.jpg\")