Canadian Occupational Safety

December/January 2015 19 lighter than they used to be." Today's hard hats are easier to adjust than earlier models, now that the suspension systems inside the hats employ ratcheting adjusters instead of pin-locks, according to John Greer, president and COO of hard hat manu- facturer Dynamic Safety in Laval, Que. Wearers can easily adjust the size for a comfortably snug fi t. Some models also include pieces of foam on the ratchet and comfort pads throughout the hard hat, so nothing is "digging into a worker's skull," says Greer. This technology can help reduce a worker's headaches if they are from hard hats that are too heavy or poor fi tting, he says. A lower nape strap that secures the hat around the back of the neck can also decrease head pressure, says Sean Donovan, regional sales development manager for MSA Safety in Toronto. Workers seek hard hats that are com- fortable, secure, well-balanced and easy to adjust, says Donovan. Employ- ers should strive to give workers a hard hat they "want to wear instead of one they have to wear," he says. "Making PPE (personal protective equipment) comfortable is the num- ber-one way to increase compliance." New hard hat technology might help headache sufferers whose pain really does relate to headgear. But as Lucas points out, there are many dif- ferent kinds of headaches. Allodynia sufferers will experience pain even if they wear the lightest, most com- fortable hard hat available. For other people, headaches might have nothing to do with the protective headgear. Lucas recommends individuals who get headaches join their companies' health and safety groups. As he puts PAIN? it, employees and employers can work together to understand why the pain occurs and identify potential long- term solutions. Stefan Dubowski is a freelance writer based in Ottawa. He can be reached at dubowski@stiffsentences.com. TYPES OF HEADACHES Workers can experience a wide variety of headaches that are not related to hard hat use. Employers should educate workers on these different types so they do not mistakenly blame their head pain on a hard hat. migrAine WitHout AurA: Usually this is a one-sided very painful headache, which can last four to 72 hours. It is severe in intensity and is often seen in women who are in their child-bearing years. It is a pulsating or throbbing sensation of pain. Changes in brain chemistry produce neurological and physical symptoms. Sometimes migraines can be brought on by a food, weather or stress. migrAine WitH AurA: The aura is characterized by symptoms such as fl ickering lights, wavy or zigzag lines and black spots in the fi eld of vision. Numbness on one side of the face or hand can also occur as can diffi culty speaking, imbalance, vertigo, loss of consciousness and paralysis. The headache following the aura is typically one-sided with a throbbing or pounding sensation. tenSion-tYpe HeADAcHe: These are found in more than three- quarters of headache patterns. They are felt on both sides of the head and are described as tight, non-pulsating, pressing or squeezing band-like pain. The location of the pain often moves, covering the temples, crown, front or back of the head and neck. Unlike a migraine, this headache is usually not aggravated by daily routine. cLuSter HeADAcHe: Almost all cluster headache sufferers are male and the pain lasts from one to three hours. These one-sided headache attacks come in bouts or a series of pain, and a teary eye or a drooped eyelid on the affected side is common. Cluster headache sufferers are in so much pain that they typically bang their heads on the wall in frustration. Direct oxygen has been an effective relief for some. SinuS HeADAcHe: A true sinus headache will show up on an X-ray and the sufferer will experience a yellow-green discharge from the nasal area. It is usually associated with constant pain and tenderness over the sinus and a deep, dull ache exaggerated by head movements or straining. Therapy is usually directed toward relief of the sinus infection or accompanying allergy. Source: Help for Headaches

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