Health & Safety of Hard Hats

Hard hats are a type of personal protective head gear commonly used in construction sites or other workplaces where there is a possibility of head injury. These helmets protect the wearer from falling objects, impact with other objects, adverse weather conditions, electric shock and dangerous debris. There are many guidelines in place to ensure the safety of workers while wearing hard hats.

Purpose of Head Protection

• The head contains many vital organs responsible for keeping you alive and functioning. Within your head is your brain, eyes, ears, mouth and nose. These critical structures must be protected from injury. A single head injury can be fatal, or at bestm cause lifelong handicap. A survey by the Bureau of Labor Statistics found that most workers who suffered head injuries from impact were in fact not wearing any type of head protection. Head protection should be worn at all times in conditions where there is potential for such incidents to eliminate the risk of such injury.

Hard Hat Features

• Hard hats consist of a hard outer shell which will deflect blows or hits to the head. Inside the hat is a shock-absorbing suspension system. The entire hat protects the face, neck, scalp and shoulders from precipitation, spills and splashes. Many hard hats also insulate the wearer from electric shock. There are also many modifications which can be made to a hard hat depending on the working conditions, such as hoods, goggles and face shields and ear or hearing protection.

Types of Hard Hats

• There are three classes of industrial hard hats. Class As are mainly used for construction, mining and manufacturing. These hats protect against impact but are not ideal for voltage protection. Class Bs are used to protect against electrical shock. Those working in the electrical field will find that Class Bs are useful in guarding against burns and high-voltage shock in addition to falling objects. Class Cs offer limited protection but are more comfortable than their counterparts. These helmets protect the wearer from contact with fixed objects but will not protect from shock or falling debris. Employers should determine which hazards exist in their workplace before deciding which class of hard hats are necessary for their workers.

Care and Maintenance

• Hard hats need to be maintained properly so that they can continue to do their job of providing protection and safety in dangerous work environments. Hard hats may be susceptible to cracking, fraying and tearing. The suspension system may deteriorate. Be sure that the system holds the hat shell between one and one one-forth inches away from the head. Watch for cracks in the shell, chalking or signs of chemical, heat or radiation exposure. These signs include a loss of gloss on the surface of the hat and flaking. Beware of paints, paint thinners and certain cleaning products which may weaken the shell of the hat. Heat and ultraviolet light can also damage a hard hat, so employees should not store them in direct sunlight. Hard hats should also be cleaned by submerging them in hot water and detergent for one minute, scrubbing and rinsing. All employees should be well-informed and trained in the proper care of their protective head covering.

Construction Sites

• Many hard hats are used specifically in construction sites. There are several important guidelines to remember. According to the Occupational Health and Safety Act, employers have an obligation to ensure safety and welfare of their employees and others. All persons at a construction site are required to wear hard hats if there is a possibility of being struck by falling objects, striking their head against a fixed object or coming into contact with hazardous material. All hard hats must conform to industry standards and fit their proper class requirement.