By Keith Haselman, SVP of Safety, STO Building Group
When a worker fell, a Type II helmet and chinstrap helped prevent a tragic outcome.
At the end of 2025, the STO Building Group family adopted a Type II helmet with chinstrap requirement for all subcontractors, extending a previous policy that mandated helmets for all employees.
Our 100% helmet policy recognizes the more comprehensive protection offered by Type II helmets, as well as the protection they offer during falls.
This policy is an important recognition of real-world conditions. Even with the best protections in place, hazardous situations can arise. Falls, trips, and struck-by incidents often involve angled or lateral impacts, not just falling objects, and traditional hard hats have come off 100% of the time during falls.
THE MIRACLE IN GEAR
The value of helmets isn’t just theoretical. It’s something I’ve seen firsthand. Last December, a typical workday for a 39-year-old metal worker nearly became his last when he suffered a fall.
Thankfully, this story doesn’t have a tragic ending. While the impact resulted in three broken ribs, the worker walked away with his most vital asset intact. Because he was wearing a Type II helmet with the chinstrap securely connected, the helmet did exactly what it was designed to do:
- It stayed on. Unlike traditional hard hats that fly off during a fall, the secured chinstrap kept the protection in place through the final impact.
- Zero head trauma. Despite the fall, he sustained no head injury.
- The power to walk away. The worker remained fully conscious and, thankfully, was able to walk under his own power to meet the responding EMTs and the stretcher.
THE LESSON: SAFETY IS A CHOICE
This incident serves as a powerful reminder that while we can’t always control the environment, we can control our equipment. A Type II helmet with a chinstrap isn’t just a gear upgrade; it is a life-saving investment that prevents life-changing brain injuries.
Three broken ribs will heal, but a life remains intact because of a single, simple click of a chinstrap. Next time you head to the heights, remember this story—and wear all the gear that lets you walk back home.