Hard Hat Safety
Hard hats are commonly used in many types of workplaces to protect employees from head trauma caused by falling objects, striking the head against an object, or electrical hazards. The hard hat is a piece of personal protective equipment designed to individually protect an employee when all other methods of protection cannot. Its use has often been required since all hazards simply cannot be eliminated.
With over 100,000 occupational head injuries reported every year, prevention of head injuries is an important factor in every safety program. A survey of accidents and injuries by the Bureau of Labor Statistics noted that 84% of workers who suffered impact injuries to the head were not wearing head protection. The majority of these workers were injured while performing their normal jobs at their regular worksites.
It’s common sense to wear a hard hat when there’s risk of head injury. Hard hats protect your head when you’re at risk of impact or penetration from bumping your head, from falling tools or materials when there are workers, machines, conveyor belts, etc. above you, from objects being carried or swung nearby, or from electrical shock and burn.
Hard hats are designed and constructed to resist blows and absorbs shock. The one-piece outer shell protects your head from blows or penetration. The head band and straps between the outer shell and your head absorb the shock of the impact.
Standards for protective Hard Hats are contained in ANSI Personal Protection — Protective Headwear for Industrial Workers – Requirements ANSI Z89.1-1997.
Hard hats may come in various shapes, sizes, and colors, but they are designated by impact types and electrical classes.
Impact Types
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Type I helmets are intended to reduce the force of impact from a blow only to the top of the head.
- Type II helmets are intended to reduce the force of impact resulting from a blow to the top or side of the head.
Electrical Classes
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Class G (General) helmets are intended to reduce harm from accidental contact with low voltage conductors and are tested at 2200 volts.
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Class E (Electrical) helmets are intended to reduce harm from accidental contact with higher voltage conductors and are tested at 20,000 volts.
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Class C (Conductive) helmets are not intended to provide protection against contact with electrical hazards.
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Always inspect hard hats before each use for any visible signs of dents, cracks, gouges, penetration, chalking, loss of gloss, or any other signs of damage;
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Replace a hard hat even when hairline cracks start to appear.
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Replace a hard hat that has been struck by a forceful object, even if no damage is obvious. The Don’ts of Hard Hats
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Do not drill holes, alter, or modify the shell. Alterations may reduce the protection provided by the hard hat.
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Do not use paint, solvents, gasoline, chemicals, or harsh cleaning materials on the shell.
- Do not wear a hard hat backwards unless it is designed to be worn that way. The peak should always face forward.
Falling objects can be brutal if you don’t protect your noodle!!
Download Flyer: SMOTW_22_Hard Hat Safety.pdf (103.27 kb)
