Ontario Construction News staff writer
EllisDon has expanded its safety requirements to mandate the use of Type 2 hard hats with integrated chin straps for all personnel on its worksites, effective Jan. 1, 2026.
Under the updated policy all workers, subcontractors and visitors must wear a CSA- and/or ANSI-compliant Type 2 hard hat equipped with a manufacturer-approved, four-point chin strap that is properly adjusted and fastened. The class of hard hat must also be appropriate for site-specific hazards and comply with local legislation.
EllisDon President and Chief Executive Officer Kieran Hawe said the change reflects the company’s ongoing focus on reducing serious injuries on construction sites.
“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,” Hawe said in a statement.
Traumatic brain injuries remain a leading cause of construction-related fatalities, accounting for approximately 25 per cent of deaths in the sector, according to industry data. Falls are responsible for an estimated 68 per cent of those injuries. Research shows that Type 2 hard hats with integrated retention systems provide greater protection than traditional models by reducing the risk of serious or fatal head injuries.
Type 2 hard hats are designed to provide impact protection from the top, front, sides and rear, while chin straps help keep helmets securely in place during slips, falls, high winds or when working in awkward positions. Secured hard hats also reduce the risk of becoming a dropped-object hazard.
EllisDon first implemented Type 2 hard hats for its employees three years ago, reporting positive safety outcomes. The expanded requirement now applies to all individuals on EllisDon worksites.
The company is a member of the Canadian Construction Safety Council and said the move is intended to support broader efforts to strengthen safety standards across the construction industry.
