12.07.2025

Hard hat for all

Quebec, Canada based engineering and project management company AtkinsRéalis has introduced a new hard hat to provide head protention for a diverse range of hair types and styles.

The new hard hat not only enables wearers to make adjustments for individual hair types or styles, but also cope with some religious headwear, ensuring secure fit and full protection compared to standard personal protective equipment.

AtkinsRéalis' surveyor Laurienne Buhinja said: "As a black woman with braided hair, I found the conventional 'one size fits all' hard hat was not fit for purpose and provided less protection as a result. Construction workers today are not all one standard size and shape, or gender, and PPE equipment needs to reflect that."

"This is an issue for men and women with long hair, or hair styles and headgear for religious or cultural reasons which do not suit conventional hard hats, as well as many bald people who can find that standard issue headwear can rub and cause discomfort."

AtkinsRéalis collaborated with PPE manufacturer MSA to produce the modified hard hat, resulting in the V-Gard 930. The shell and Fas-Trac III suspension designs provide additional space for braided and long hair. The hat features adjustable sizing to accommodate different head sizes.

Project director James Butler added: "If we want to create construction sites that welcome all people, we have to remove as many barriers as we can to attract them into the sector, and make it as easy as possible for everyone to perform their work safely and comfortably."

The initiative forms part of AtkinsRéalis's #PPE For All campaign.