HEAD SAFETY INFO

Understanding Head Protection

Hard hats need to be used properly and well maintained in order for them to be safe.

Protecting a worker should be the top priority for any company. You want your workers to have the proper gear to protect them and a hard hat is one of the main things they need.

A hard hat should fulfill the following requirements - resist penetration, deflect blows to the head, have a suspension system that will absorb impacts, serve as an insulator so that the worker will not get shocked, be water resistant, be slow burning, and should always shield the scalp, face, neck, and shoulders of a worker.

From carpenters to freight handlers, sawyers to packers, welders to electricians, hard hats are a requirement in the workplace and can save your life. Find the right size and fit for your hard hat and you’ll hardly notice you’re wearing it. There’s no need to struggle on with an ill-fitting hard hat when there are so many excellent options on the market.

The standard for protection is ANSI/ISEA Z89.1-2014, which provides performance and testing requirements for hard hats. The standard is a way to classify the types of protective hats that are available to employers.

Hard Hat Classifications

There are different types of hard hats and each one is specific to different types of hazards that might be encountered on the job. You are going to want to consider the types of dangers your employees might face to know what type of hat to get.

There are different types of impact. Type I is an impact from above. This type of hard hat will help to disperse impact damage if something hits the top of a worker’s head. The Type II hat covers both impacts from above and lateral impacts. This means that it will reduce the amount of potential damage to an employee if they are hit on the top of the head or from the side.

The ANSI standard has also divided hard hats into three classifications - Class G or General, Class E or Electrical and Class C or Conductive. Class G is a good hat for most job sites but only offers protection from electricity up to 2,200 volts. Class E is best for electrical workers because it gives the worker protection for up to 20,000 volts. Class C does not protect against any amount of voltage.

Helmets are generally marked to show what requirements they meet. These markings are typically inside the helmet and will list the standard requirements they meet and the class designation of the hat. A hard hat must also have a date on it that will show when it was manufactured as well as the name of the manufacturer and the best way to care for your hard hat.

Hard Hat Maintenance

Generally, a hard hat will have a shell, a suspension system, and sometimes a chinstrap. Each part of the helmet needs to be taken care of so that you will be able to prevent serious injuries or even death. Follow the tips below for care of your hat.

• Never store your hat directly in the sun.
• Clean the hat and suspension system with warm water and soap.
• Inspect the shell for any damage or deformities.
• Inspect the suspension straps for any damage or frays.
• Never drill holes in the shell unless instructed by the manufacturer as this can change the rating and insulation levels.
• Do not use any type of adhesive, paint, or chemical on the hard hat unless it has been approved by the manufacturer. This may cause damage to the hat and reduce its effectiveness.
• Never place anything between the shell and the suspension system as this can also reduce the effectiveness of the hat.

Hard hats do expire. If your hard hat is over four years old, suffered an impact, become dented or scuffed, fading or seem brittle, it is probably time to change your hard hat. A particularly common reason for hard hats wearing out is when workers leave their hard hat in their car. Sun damages the plastic material and other substances you come into contact with on a daily basis in the workplace can cause your hard hat to deteriorate over time.

We stock a huge range of hard hats for your business. We also offer safe, durable customization services that meet OSHA standards. Get in touch today or browse our wide range of head safety gear online now.