Hard Hats - Head Protection For Your Workers

 
What protection do hard hats offer my workers in the field?

Hard hats will protect your workers heads from blows and falling debris.  They have protective systems inside that will act as a shock absorber if something falls on a worker head.  Some hard hats can protect your workers from electrical shock.

Are hard hats considered personal protective equipment?

Hard hats are a component of  PPE- Personal Protective Equipment. They fall under OHSA’s standard for head protection (1910.135(a)(1)) and (1910.135(a)(2)  These standards state that an employer should ensure that all effected employees wear hard hats when they are working in an area where there is the potential for injury to the head from falling objects and debris and where there is exposure to electrical conductors that could have contact with the head.

Who sets the criteria for hard hat safety?

The last  revision to the standard which is put forth by ANSI (American National Standards Institute) that provides the performing and testing requirements for hard hats  can be found under ANSI Z89.1-2003.  Hard hats that meet the requirements of the 2003 standard are classified as type 1 (Top Head protection) and type 2 (lateral impact head protection which also includes top head protection). Both types are tested for impact resistance.   Look for the ANSI standard or OSHA compliance printed in the hard hat to be sure that the hard hat that you are purchasing is safety compliant.

Do all hard hats offer the same protection?

Along with type 1 and type 2 classifications (see questions above) there are three classes that indicate the hard hats rating for electrical insulation. They are Class E which are tested to withstand 20,000 volts of electricity, Class G hard hats with are tested for 2200 volts along with Class C which do not provide any electrical protection.

What are bump caps?

Bump caps are a lightweight alternative to hard hats but they are not OSHA certified and should only be used in situations where a hard hat is not OHSA required

What is the suspension in a hard hat for?

The suspension in a hard hat is the part of the hardhat that spreads out the force of impact.   Hard hats come with either 4, 6 or 8 point suspensions   It is typically better to choose a hard hat with more points in order better deflect a blow.

What type of suspensions are offered in a hard hat?

There are four types of suspensions that are used in hard hats.(1)  The ratchet suspension allows you to size the hard hat to fit comfortably on your head by adjusting a small knob in the back of the hard hat at the nape of the neck. (2)  A touch suspension adjusts to your size by squeezing and then sliding one side to fit into the other side for that perfect fit. (3)  A Pinlock suspension will adjust by matching a pin to a hole and finally a (4) Swing Ratchet Suspension uses a reversible ratchet to self adjust to your head size.  There are also replacement suspensions for hard hats.

What type of accessories can be purchased for hard hats?

Accessories can be added to hard hats to further protect the face, neck and shoulders. Some hard hats have a slot on the side that will allow for accessories to be attached. Below are some additions that can be attached to a hard hat:

Safety liners can be added to hard hats to make the hard hat more comfortable for workers on the job.  This liner extends over the neck to protect the neck from harmful UV rays.

Heat Stress head products which include cooling pads are designed to be worn with hard hats.  You can chill the pad in cool water and attach it to the hard hat with the hook and loop strap which is attached to the pad. These pads make the grueling heat much more bearable.

Hard hat shades can be attached to hard hats to protect and shield the eyes and face from the harmful rays of the sun.

Ear muffs can be attached to hard hats in the cold weather to keep ears warm. Ear muffs make facing the cold much easier.

There are also chin straps, winter liners and lights that can be attached to hard hats and you can also attach medical information right inside a hard hat with a sticker for the outside to alert emergency medical personal.  This is a must needed inexpensive accessory for any worker that has medical conditions.

Are there any special maintenance requirements for a hard hat?

Hard hats should be maintained in good condition and they should be routinely inspected for determination such as dents, cracks or splits. Always replace a hard hat after a heavy blow to the head or any kind of electrical shock.

What sizes do your hard hats come in?

Hard hats usually come in four sizes, small, medium, large and X-Large. Hard Hat suspensions also come in sizes.  The suspension and hat size must always match to ensure maximum protection.  The best way to determine a workers size is to use a soft tape measure and wrap this around the head just above the eyebrows.  Hold the tape measure snug (but not too tight).  Depending on what brand hard hat you are purchasing, this measurement will guide you in which size to purchase. Different manufacturers have different sizing charts.  Our product pages have each manufactures sizing chart to help you choose the proper size hard hat.

Do you offer different styles of hard hats?

We offer many styles of hard hats and protective head gear. There are standard hard hats, full brim hard hats, hard hats with rain troughs to keep rain away from the eyes and face and slotted hard hats which have slots to allow for accessory attachments.  Our hard hats come in an assortment of colors.  You can also special order your favorite teams NFL hard hat or a hard hat with the American Flag.  Some of our customers order hard hats with their company logo. 

If you have additional questions when purchasing your hard hat, call our toll free number at (866) 864-3495 and one of our experts will assist you in choosing the best hard hat for your workplace.  OSHA now requires that employers are responsible for the payment of PPE for their employees and  hard hats are  PPE-Personal Protective Equipment.  Refer to our Summary of the final rule on employer paid PPE for more information.