In a significant move to bolster safety on construction sites across Canada, EllisDon has announced a major enhancement to its head protection policy. Effective January 1, 2026, every individual present on an EllisDon worksite will be required to wear a specific type of safety helmet.
A Universal Standard for Head Protection
The new mandate stipulates that all personnel, which includes EllisDon employees, subcontractors, and even visitors, must don a CSA and/or ANSI Type 2 hard hat. This helmet must be equipped with a manufacturer-approved, integrated four-point chin strap, which must be properly adjusted and fastened at all times. The hard hat class must also be appropriate for the site-specific hazards and comply with all local legislation.
Kieran Hawe, President & Chief Executive Officer of EllisDon, emphasized the company's unwavering commitment to safety. "Our commitment to safety is non-negotiable," stated Hawe. "By expanding and mandating hard hat requirements to everyone on our sites, we are taking a critical step toward eliminating preventable and traumatic head injuries. We encourage the entire industry to join us in raising the bar for head protection and safeguarding the lives of those who build our communities."
Addressing a Leading Cause of Fatalities
This policy expansion is a direct response to sobering industry statistics. Traumatic brain injuries remain a leading cause of construction-related fatalities, accounting for approximately 25% of deaths in the sector. Furthermore, falls are responsible for a staggering 68% of these head injuries. Research consistently shows that Type 2 hard hats, which are designed to offer protection from lateral impacts in addition to top impacts, provide significantly greater defense against serious injury. The integrated retention system (chin strap) is crucial, as it ensures the helmet stays securely in place during a slip, fall, or in high-wind conditions.
Key Advantages of the New Requirement
The shift to mandatory Type 2 helmets with chin straps offers multiple layers of enhanced safety:
- Superior Impact Resistance: Type 2 hard hats are tested for protection from blows to the top, front, sides, and rear of the head.
- Guaranteed Secure Fit: The chin strap prevents the hard hat from falling off during accidents, awkward movements, or in windy environments, ensuring continuous protection.
- Prevention of Falling Objects: A securely fastened hard hat cannot be dislodged and become a falling hazard for workers below.
EllisDon is not new to this standard; the company implemented Type 2 hard hats for its direct employees three years ago with positive results. The new rule extends that proven level of protection to every person entering their worksites. Headquartered in Mississauga, Ontario, EllisDon is a proud member of the Canadian Construction Safety Council (CCSC) and is actively advocating for industry-wide adoption of higher safety standards to protect construction workers nationwide.
