This is a helmet which was used between 2012 – 2015 during SSI UK’s ownership of the Redcar steelworks.
Ear-defenders are attached to help reduce noise impact of working on the site. Historically, workers would have had no protection and will have suffered hearing loss (and other ailments) due to lack of protection.
This helmet looks like it would only be for staff undertaking physical work, but in reality all members of SSI UK had to have a helmet like this (even IT workers) due to strict health and safety regulations.