Fitness Assessment of Safety Helmets Used by Construction Workers in Developing Countries – The Case of Ghana

Substance abuse, wellbeing and academic performance

Abstract

Purpose: Poor-fitting helmets frequently cause discomfort among construction workers, potentially distracting them and compromising their safety. This paper investigates safety helmet fit issues amongst Ghanaian construction workers.

Design/Methodology/Approach: Linear head measurements were collected from one hundred and twenty-seven (127) male construction workers. These measurements were then compared with the internal dimensions of construction helmets available in Ghana, considering both maximum and minimum adjustments. A two-sample T-test was employed for the analysis.

Findings: The study results revealed statistically significant differences between the dimensions of safety helmets in the country and the head measurements of the study participants.

Research Limitation/Implications: A limitation of this study is that head measurements were obtained exclusively from male construction workers, as no female workers were present at the sites during the data collection period.

Originality/Value: The study’s findings indicate that the dimensions of safety helmets available in the country do not offer an adequate fit for indigenous male heads, even though they are adjustable. The study recommends considering the anthropometric features of target users as a critical factor in the procurement and importation of safety helmets to improve the experience among construction workers.