Tips for Selecting and Maintaining Hard Hat Hard hats are among the most commonly used forms of personal protective equipment. Required in a wide range of applications, from construction, manufacturing, welding, and forestry to oil and gas, hard hats protect individuals most valuable assets--their heads--from impact or penetration of falling or flying objects, as well as from electrical shock or burn hazards. American National Standards Institute Z89.1-2009 specifically addresses industrial head protection and calls for hard hats to be worn wherever hazards to workers heads exist. OSHA also recognizes that protecting workers from potential head injuries is a key element of every safety program and states that employers must ensure their employees wear head protection if any potential hazard to the head exists. Many employers implement their own additional requirements for hard hat usage to ensure the utmost protection for their workers. Despite national and private safety standards for hard hat use, occupational head injuries are more common than you might expect. Non-compliance is a major reason why such injuries persist, and there are many reasons why workers neglect to wear hard hats. Poor comfort, fit or style are contributing factors. In addition, some workers choose not to wear caps if they dont believe they are in imminent danger or if they think nobody is looking. Similarly hazardous is wearing a hard hat after it has become compromised, while the shell or suspension is no longer capable of protecting a workers head. The results of not wearing hard hats--or wearing those that have exceeded their service life--can be catastrophic. Head injuries can result in short- and long-term effects spanning concussions, memory loss, and paralysis, as well as fatalities. It is every employers responsibility to outfit workers with an appropriate hard hat wherever hazards to the head exist. If unsure whether your site requires hard hat protection, start by conducting a thorough assessment of workplace hazards. Look for objects that might fall and strike workers on the head, fixed objects workers could bump their heads against, and places where someones head could accidentally come in contact with electrical hazards. If the workplace includes any such potential hazard to the head, follow these tips to help ensure proper hard hat selection and maintenance. Type I vs. Type II When it comes to selecting a cap, performance should be the number one consideration. In Guyana there is no national standards and in general safety professionals will require compliance with ANSI Z89.1-2009 or CSA Z94.1 standards, respectively. Each specifies two levels of protection. ANSI Type I/CSA Type 1 caps are intended to protect the wearer against impact to and penetration of the crown, or top, only. These caps are the most commonly worn type in the USA. By contrast, ANSI Type II/CSA Type 2 hard hats protect against both lateral and crown impact and are more commonly worn in Guyana. While Type II/Type 2 hats are slightly larger, heavier, and warmer to wear, the added level of protection they provide can be lifesaving. In fact, the adoption of Type II hats is rising in the United States as employers become increasingly aware of the added protection they provide. Evaluate your sites hazards to determine the right type of protection. When selecting Type II/Type 2 hats, look for lightweight options with a well-balanced suspension and liners that allow ventilation to encourage safe, comfortable all-day wear. Suspension Considerations A hard hats suspension is the internal framework that helps absorb and distribute energy upon impact. Hard hats generally come with four-, six-, or eight-point suspensions. The number of points represents how many connections exist between the suspension and cap. Caps with more suspension points have a greater ability to spread weight and impact over a wider area. Dispersing impact across more suspension points minimizes the amount of shock delivered on impact, as well as the after-effects of the impact, which supports a positive outcome. Furthermore, a greater number of suspension points maximizes stability and comfort. When the weight of the hat is distributed more evenly it feels lighter, and its greater adjustability reduces the hats tendency to wobble. Nonetheless, all three suspensions deliver the same level of impact protection to meet ANSI and CSA regulations. To ensure a safe fit, hats must be worn as snugly as possible. Head protection that is either too large or too small is inappropriate for use, even if it meets all other requirements. Sizing and adjustability options abound. Suspension circumference is commonly adjusted by pin locks, ratchets, tab locks, and sliding bands. Height adjustments are important in achieving low-to-the-head, secure retention, while swing suspensions are a valuable feature for individuals who frequently wear caps backward. If frequent resizing is anticipated, look for adjustability features that are quick and easy to use so workers can focus on the task at hand, rather than their PPE.
Posted on: Tue, 23 Sep 2014 19:32:01 +0000
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