How a new hard hat technology can protect workers better from concussion

A new generation of hard hats is promising better protection against on-the-job concussions, also known as mild traumatic brain injuries.

These hard hats incorporate technology that not only protects the head from a direct impact, but also from a glancing blow that causes the head to rotate suddenly – a major cause of concussions.

“The human brain is readily injured by a rotational force,” says Michael Bottlang, director of the Legacy Biomechanics Lab in Portland, Ore. For example, he says, a boxer will “drop like a fly” from a punch to the chin that causes the head to turn rapidly.