Job-Site Safety Institute and Comer Construction Launch Type II Safety Helmet Pilot
Mick McDonald
BALTIMORE, Md. (September 24, 2026) –The Job-Site Safety Institute (JSI) and Comer Construction are partnering on a pilot initiative to advance the use of Type II safety helmets in the construction industry, examining how transitioning from traditional hard hats may reduce the risk of serious head injuries. The partnership brings together JSI, a nonprofit organization dedicated to safety research and education, North Carolina State University (NCSU), and Comer Construction, a certified women-owned site development and heavy construction contractor based in Forest Hill, Maryland.
Construction workers continue to face significant risks on the job, with approximately 1,000 fatal workplace injuries and 150,000 nonfatal injuries and illnesses reported each year. Among these hazards, traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) remain a serious concern, with more than 200 construction workers dying from TBIs in the U.S. each year. Many of these deaths could be prevented through better head protection and stronger safety practices. Through participant-centered training and accessible educational resources, JSI reaches tens of thousands of workers and employers each year, helping them strengthen safety practices, create safer job sites, and reduce the risk of preventable incidents.
As part of the initiative, a research grant was officially funded on September 1st, 2026, with NCSU to examine the safety benefits of Type II helmets, including enhanced protection during falls and struck-by or struck-against incidents, as well as improved retention, comfort and fit. Comer Construction was then selected to participate in a pilot program evaluating the practical considerations, effectiveness and feasibility of implementing Type II helmets on active construction sites.
“We’re always looking for ways to strengthen safety for our employees,” said Susie Comer, President and Treasurer of Comer Construction. “This partnership allows us to put new safety research into practice and help identify what a successful transition to Type II helmets can look like in the field.”
Putting Research into Practice
Type II safety helmets are designed to reduce the force of impact to the top or sides of the head, offering enhanced protection in today’s ever-changing construction environments. Through the pilot, JSI, NCSU, and Comer Construction will evaluate the helmets’ safety benefits, implementation, and business considerations. This ongoing initiative will continue through 2027, with the goal of identifying practical strategies for broader industry adoption.
The pilot reflects JSI’s approach to construction safety by pairing research with real-world implementation to identify practical solutions that can reduce injuries and save lives. Since its founding in 2014, JSI has awarded $1.13 million in research and education grants to partners addressing safety challenges across the construction industry.
“Meaningful advances in construction safety happen when research is put into practice,” said Erik Anderson, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Job-Site Safety Institute. “This pilot program gives us an opportunity to better understand the benefits of Type II helmets while identifying practical ways contractors can make the transition on active job sites across the country.”
The initiative builds on JSI’s broader commitment to advancing construction safety through research, education, and industry partnerships. Founded by Builders Mutual Insurance Company, JSI is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to reducing job-site injuries and fatalities and helping ensure construction workers return home safely each day.
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About Job-Site Safety Institute (JSI)
The Job-Site Safety Institute (JSI) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to conducting safety research and developing safety education tools for residential and commercial construction job sites. JSI works with educational institutions and industry leaders to identify practical solutions that can reduce job-site injuries and fatalities and promote a stronger culture of safety throughout the construction industry. Learn more about the Job-Site Safety Institute at www.jssafety.org.
About Comer Construction
Comer Construction is a certified women-owned site development and heavy construction contractor based in Forest Hill, Maryland. The company provides construction and site development services throughout the Baltimore region and is participating in JSI’s pilot program to evaluate the implementation and efficacy of Type II safety helmets. Learn more about Comer Construction at https://www.comerconstruction.com/about-comer-construction/.
CONTACT:
Anka Dixon | Maroon PR | 203-952-2426 |anka@maroonpr.com