Ontario’s new Type 2 head-protection requirements: What employers need to know

Key takeaways

Ontario Regulation 112/26 amends the head-protection provisions in O. Reg. 213/91: Construction Projects under the Occupational Health and Safety Act.

Beginning July 1, 2027, workers who may be exposed to side-impact hazards must wear protective headwear that satisfies the applicable Type 2 requirements under CSA Z94.1 or Type II requirements under ANSI Z89.1. Headwear that offers protection at least equivalent to those requirements may also be permitted.

This means employers will need to assess both the nature and direction of potential impacts. They can no longer automatically assume that traditional Type 1 hard hats are appropriate for every construction task.

The regulation also addresses helmet retention. A worker must use a chin strap or another retention system when conditions on the project may cause their protective headwear to become dislodged.

The regulation does not require every Ontario construction worker to wear a Type 2 helmet. It requires employers to evaluate the hazards and provide head protection appropriate to those risks.

Construction head injuries do not occur only when an object falls directly onto a worker.

Workers may experience lateral impacts during incidents involving:

Type 1 and Type 2 head protection are designed for different impact conditions.

Type 1 headwear primarily protects against impact and penetration at the top of the head. Type 2 headwear adds protection against lateral impacts to the front, back and sides.

This added coverage can be particularly important when a worker falls or is struck from a direction other than directly overhead.

Ontario’s regulatory amendment is not the only factor influencing helmet selection.

Effective July 1, 2026, the Canadian Construction Safety Council has announced a mandatory transition for subcontractors working on CCSC-member sites across Canada.

The CCSC’s published standard calls for:

• CSA- or ANSI-certified Type 2 headwear
• integrated chin straps
• head protection appropriate for the hazards present

Many of Canada’s largest general contractors are represented within the CCSC. As a result, companies may encounter Type 2 helmet requirements through contractor or project-owner policies even where provincial regulations do not impose the same requirements.

The CCSC requirement and Ontario regulation should not be treated as interchangeable.

Ontario requires Type 2 protection where workers may be exposed to side-impact hazards and a retention system where headwear may become dislodged. The CCSC’s published safety standard specifically calls for certified Type 2 headwear with integrated chin straps for subcontractors on member sites.

A helmet cannot provide its intended protection if it is no longer properly positioned on the worker’s head.

During a fall, slip, sudden movement or awkward work position, headwear can shift or become dislodged. A suitable chin strap or retention system helps keep the helmet in place when protection is needed most.

Chin straps can help:

• prevent helmets from falling off during falls or sudden movements
• maintain coverage during slips and work in awkward positions
• improve retention in windy conditions
• reduce dropped-object hazards caused by dislodged headwear

However, simply attaching a chin strap is not enough.

The strap must be compatible with and approved by the helmet manufacturer. Workers must also know how to adjust both the suspension and strap correctly. A chin strap worn too loosely may provide little practical retention.

Some construction organizations are adopting Type 2 helmets across their operations before regulations require them to do so.

Potential benefits include:

Standardizing head protection can also reduce confusion for workers who move between projects. Instead of determining which helmet is permitted at each location, workers and supervisors follow one consistent company standard.

Waiting until shortly before the Ontario requirements come into force could limit product selection and leave insufficient time for product trials, training and contractor communication.

Identify tasks and locations where workers could be exposed to side impacts or where headwear could become dislodged.

Consider routine work as well as foreseeable incidents, including falls, slips, equipment contact and work in awkward or restricted positions.

As demand increases, safety teams should also distinguish between products that are independently certified and products that merely claim to “meet” a standard. Review the head protection markings and supporting documentation for the certification body, applicable standard and classification.

Evaluate chin-strap policies

Determine where a chin strap or another retention system is required by:

• the hazard assessment
• Ontario regulations
• project or contractor rules
• company policy

Confirm that each retention system is supplied or approved by the helmet manufacturer.

Head protection designs and adjustment ranges vary. Conducting a limited field trial can help identify comfort, fit, and stability issues before a larger rollout.

Test each helmet or hard hat with other PPE and accessories used on the job, including:

Existing accessories may not fit new head protection or may not be approved for use with it.

Demand for certified Type 2 headwear and compatible accessories may increase as contractor and regulatory deadlines approach.

Begin working with suppliers early enough to assess products and secure the required:

Construction safety is shifting beyond minimum compliance toward equipment that better reflects how injuries occur in real working environments.

Ontario’s new requirements reinforce the importance of assessing lateral-impact hazards and using a retention system where headwear could become dislodged. At the same time, the CCSC’s transition is accelerating the adoption of Type 2 safety helmets across major construction projects in Canada.

Organizations that plan early will have more time to assess their hazards, verify certification, test helmet fit, train workers and communicate expectations to contractors. They will also be better positioned to secure the sizes, colours and accessories they need before demand increases.

Head-protection transition timeline

• April 2026: Ontario files O. Reg. 112/26.
• July 1, 2026: The CCSC’s Type 2 headwear requirement for subcontractors on member projects takes effect.
• July 1, 2027: Ontario’s amended head-protection requirements for construction projects come into force.

Frequently Asked Questions