Hard Hats
Protect your head
Construction and industrial workers are at increased risk of suffering head injuries from falling objects, especially in workplaces with multiple open levels. Such a head injury can easily cause physical impairment, permanent disability, brain damage or even death.
Wearing a simple hard hat can be the difference between a near miss and a life-changing accident. Construction hard hats are designed to absorb the impact when an individual bumps their head or is hit by an object, diverting most of the pressure off of the skeleton itself. High-end construction hard hats can also resist dangerous electrical currents.
Like hearing protection, protective hard hats are divided into categories defined by the level of protection they offer. Type 1 hard hats offering protection from vertical threats and Type 2 hard hats providing both vertical and lateral protection. Type 1 hats include Class C or Conductive, Class G or General and Class E or Electrical. Class C hard hats offer no electrical resistance, while Class G hats are effective against up to 2,200 volts, and Class E can resist up to 20,000 volts. These three classes can also be referred to as Class C, A and B, respectively.
All hard hats should have a hard, durable outer shell and adequate suspension that keeps the shell at least 1 inch from the head. Though quality hard hats have a lifetime of up to five years, you should immediately replace headgear that has cracks, fraying or brittle suspension, or a chalky outer surface. It is vital for employers to train staff to check their hard hats for wear-and-tear, and to be sure that no workers wear their hard hats backwards unless they are designed for it (as is the case with the American Omega II).
Nowadays, many employees are allowed to wear customized hard hats, as long as they meet the American National Standards Institute’s quality criteria. Popular personalized headgear includes NFL hard hats and NASCAR hard hats with athletes’ numbers and sports logos as decoration. Companies can also opt for custom hard hats with company logos and slogans for marketing and unification purposes. However, no matter what is written on the outer shell, the most important thing is that employees and all individuals visiting the worksite get the protection they need.
Why Are Hard Hats Essential for Safety?
- Heavy impact or penetration of the skull caused by falling or flying objects can cause severe head injuries, including brain damage or even death.
- Protective headgear can reduce the risk of head injuries caused by electrical shocks and burns.
Things to Consider When Choosing Hard Hats
- Do the products meet the minimum ANSI standards for absorbing impact?
- Will you need protection from electrical hazards? What level of voltage resistance is required?
- Will you need additional features, such as face shields, ear muffs or mounted lights?
Top Brands of Hard Hats
- MSA hard hats
- Pyramex hard hats
- Bullard hard hats
