A turban worn under an industrial hard hat actually makes the helmet absorb lateral impacts better than a bare head.
April 24, 2026
Original Paper
Impact Attenuation and Retention Performance of Industrial Protective Headwear Used with Turbans
SSRN · 6631123
The Takeaway
Religious head coverings provide a surprising safety benefit by reducing the peak linear acceleration during a side impact. This extra layer of fabric acts as an additional shock absorber that traditional safety gear lacks. However, this benefit comes with a major trade-off because the turban also makes it much easier for the helmet to fall off during movement. Safety standards usually assume that any material between the head and the hat is a hazard. This research proves that there is a complex balance between impact protection and helmet stability when integrating cultural wear.
From the abstract
Head coverings are common practice in many religions, cultures and faiths. As protective headwear is required in numerous occupations, it is important to consider the effect religious head coverings may have on the biomechanical effectiveness of occupational protective headwear (i.e. hard hat). Accordingly, this study assessed the effect of turbans on industrial protective headwear retention and impact attenuation. A bare headform (K1A) and two turban conditions (small and large Dumalla) were te