Safety First
by Harris Tobias
There was a lot of excitement this
year at the Safety Helmet Manufacturer’s
Association’s (SMASH) annual convention in
Wewaki Springs, Ohio. All of the big dogs of the
helmet world were there—football, baseball,
la crosse, hockey and, of course, bicycling. The
smaller players were there too—bobsledding,
luge, skiing, and skate boarding. There were
slick new designs, hot new colors and even
a few advances in head trauma reduction.
The whole helmet industry was agog on the news
that the government watchdogs of consumer safety
was about to mandate helmets for a host of
pursuits previously considered safe. Thanks to
research by the Safety Helmet Research Council,
an industry funded lobbying group. As a result of
their findings and years of political pressure,
helmets will soon be required for such tasks as
driving, house cleaning, shopping and lawn mowing.
The Helmet Council’s research shows that
these activities are responsible for tens of
thousands of head injuries each year. And, just
as with contact sports, these activities will
each require a separate helmet design. Efforts
are underway to make the wearing of these helmets
mandatory. Laws to this effect have already been
introduced in 16 state legislatures.
Under consideration are helmets for the elderly,
gamblers, and ball room dancers. Industry
spokesperson, Sean McMillan, warned that head
protection was not just a good idea but a basic
human responsibility. He brought the crowd to its
feet with visions of “a world where no one
need ever fear head injury from any cause
whatsoever. A world where our children are
protected and concussion is an obsolete medical
term.”
In an adjoining room industry executives were
discussing new areas where helmets might save
millions from injury. Helmets were proposed for
such competitive activities as chess, debating
and musical theater, both for audience and
participants. “The future looks bullish for
the helmet industry,” said one CEO. “If
a helmet can save even one person from a severe
head injury then I say put on your helmet and
have fun.”
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