How Hard Hats Work?

Hard hats are designed to deflect stuff hitting you on top of your head that's falling from above you primarily. Construction workers get a few cents out of their paycheck every time they complete something. If we didn't live in the dystopia that is America right now, I can understand what you're getting at. But I can't view that as anything other than the bad guys from Ready Player One, just mining your soul and trading you a nominal amount of currency.