The Canadian Federation of Construction Safety Associations (CFCSA) supports a recent announcement by the Canadian Construction Safety Council (CCSC) regarding the transition to CSA or ANSI-certified Type II helmets effective July 1, 2026. The CCSC is a national collaboration of leading construction organizations, and this requirement applies across CCSC member sites, including workers, trade partners, and site visitors.
This position aligns with national efforts led by the CCSC to enhance head protection across the construction industry and reduce the risk of serious head injuries.
Unlike traditional Type I helmets, which are designed to reduce force from impacts to the top of the head, Type II helmets featuring an integrated, manufacturer-approved four-point chin strap are designed to reduce force from impacts to the front, back, sides, and top of the head. In addition, the integrated chin straps help helmets remain secure during slips, falls, high winds, and while workers are in awkward positions.
The US National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) reports that traumatic brain injuries account for approximately 25% of all construction-related fatalities, over half of which result from falls, mostly from ladders, roofs, and scaffolding. Other causes include falling objects and struck-by incidents. A NIOSH study indicates that the fall protection performance of newer helmet designs is substantially better than that of basic Type I helmets.
Further, a study by the Helmet Lab at Virginia Tech found that a shift to Type II helmets reduces the average risk of fall-related concussions by 34% and skull fractures by 65%.
Type II helmets are acceptable under regulations in all Canadian jurisdictions, although there may be specific requirements for either ANSI or CSA certification. A wide range of compliant products is available to support employers in making the transition.
“As new studies continue to identify Type II helmets as the safer helmet design for construction, they demonstrate improved outcomes for the workers who use them,” says Sean Scott, CFCSA Co-Chair. “We encourage our members and industry partners to review this research and consider adopting Type II helmets as part of their head protection policies.”
For more information on the CFCSA, please visit CFCSA.ca