Earlier this month, representatives from ASCC joined our partners from TAUC (The Association of Union Contractors) and the John R. Gentry Research Foundation (JGRF)—the foundation of the Mechanical Contractors Association of America (MCAA)—for a site visit to Virginia Tech’s Helmet Lab in Blacksburg, Virginia. The visit was an opportunity to see firsthand how the funds our organizations collectively committed are being used to advance the science of head protection in construction. Although NECA and one other supporting organization were unable to attend, their support and shared commitment to this research remain critical to its ongoing success.
The Virginia Tech team provided a hands-on tour of the facility, demonstrating several helmet impact tests in real time. Seeing these tests up close left no doubt that the funding was being well utilized. The rigor of the methods, the precision of the data collection, and the professionalism of the research staff underscore the validity and lasting industry impact of this study.
To date, 17 different helmets from various manufacturers have been evaluated and assigned a STAR rating, consistent with the Helmet Lab’s established approach for other sports and activities such as football, hockey, and cycling. Among these, one Type 1 helmet and one full-brim model have already been tested, with two additional full-brim helmets from other manufacturers currently undergoing evaluation. The published results are already serving as an independent, data-driven benchmark for performance comparison within our industry. The full list of tested helmets and ratings can be viewed here: Virginia Tech Construction Helmet STAR Ratings.
During our visit, the research team shared that Virginia Tech will continue to test new helmets as they enter the market rather than on fixed intervals, ensuring that results remain current and relevant. The Helmet Lab will also work directly with ASCC and partner organizations to announce and communicate new test results to industry stakeholders.
Perhaps most exciting were the discussions about future directions. The team proposed several new testing scenarios, including struck-by impact simulations specific to construction environments, which could further expand the STAR framework’s relevance to real-world jobsite hazards. Additionally, they are exploring potential heat-retention testing criteria—specifically examining the effects of elevated temperatures on head protection, particularly in southern and humid climates. While this concept is still in its early, conceptual phase, such data could eventually become a valuable component of the STAR rating system, offering new insights into comfort and heat management in challenging environments.
The Helmet Lab also introduced the idea of an ongoing Industry Head Protection Forum, which would bring together helmet manufacturers, safety leaders, researchers, and trade associations to share data, discuss challenges, and establish consistent messaging on head protection best practices.
This forum concept closely mirrors the collaborative model established by the Construction Safety Research Alliance (CSRA) at the University of Colorado Boulder—a group that unites contractors, owners, and academics to tackle safety challenges through shared data and evidence-based research. Virginia Tech’s goal is to create a similar collaborative knowledge hub, but one focused entirely on head protection: connecting research to real-world use, encouraging transparency, and ensuring continuous improvement across industries.
The ASCC and our partners are proud to continue supporting this pioneering work, which is already shaping how safety professionals evaluate and select head protection. It’s a testament to what’s possible when industry collaboration and scientific rigor come together with a shared purpose—to protect our workforce and drive safety innovation forward.