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Why Use Head
Protection?
Head Injuries Are Very Serious
Over 100,000 occupational head injuries are reported every year! 84% of
workers who suffered impact injuries to the head were not wearing head
protection!!
Your head
is a very delicate part of your body. In and around your head are:
- Your
eyes, with which you see
- Your
ears, with which you hear
- Your
nose, with which you smell Small caption:
- Your
mouth, with which you eat and speak
- Your
brain, with which you think
 Potential Hazards
Hard Hats are extremely versatile and can protect employees from a
multitude of potential hazards. For example:
Impacts to the Head
Falling, flying or thrown objects, including road debris, are common
causes of head injuries, as well as falling or walking into hard, fixed
objects. These injuries include scrapes, lacerations, neck sprains,
concussions, skull fractures, and even fatalities.
Electrical
Shocks
Accidents involving electricity result in electrical shocks and burns.
IndustrialSafetyGear.com Hard Hats are dielectric and meet ANSI 89, 1-1997 Type 1, Class
E, G & C. Classes E and G relate to high and low voltage
specifications, in addition to impact and penetration protection.
Splashes,
Spills, and Drips
IndustrialSafetyGear.com Hard Hats provide coverage from potential splashes, spills and
drips of toxic liquids such as acids, caustics, and molten metals that
can burn or irritate skin, scalp, and eyes.
Other - Flammability and Hair Risks
IndustrialSafetyGear.com Hard Hats meet ANSI Z89, 1-1997 applicable testing requirements
for flammability. Both IndustrialSafetyGear.com Hard Hats and Bump Caps help
employers meet OSHA regulations requiring employers to ensure that
workers cover and protect long hair, to prevent it from getting caught
or drawn into machine parts such as belts and chains.
Bureau Of Labor Statistics - Head Injury Survey
With over
100,000 occupational head injuries reported every year, prevention of
head injuries is an important factor in every safety program.
A survey by
the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) of accidents and injuries noted
that 84% of workers who suffered impact injuries to the head were not
wearing head protection [1.p.2]. The majority of workers were injured
while performing their normal jobs at their regular worksites.
The survey
showed that in most instances, where head injuries occurred, employers
had not required their employees to wear head protection. Of those
workers wearing hard hats, all but 5 percent indicated that they were
required by their employers to wear them [1,p.2]. The vast majority of
those who wore Hard Hats all or most of the time at work believed that
Hard Hats were practical for their jobs. According to the report, in
almost half of the accidents involving head injuries, employees knew of
no actions taken by employers to prevent such injuries from recurring.
The BLS
survey noted that more than one-half of the workers were struck in the
head while they were looking down and almost three-tenths were looking
straight ahead. Although a third of the unprotected workers were
injured when bumping into stationary objects, such actions injured only
one-eighth of Hard Hat wearers [1.p.1]. Elimination or control of a
hazard leading to an accident causing head injuries are of a type
difficult to anticipate and control. Where these conditions exist, head
protection must be provided to prevent injury.
What Should I Know About IndustrialSafetyGear.com Hard Hats?
Design
IndustrialSafetyGear.com Hard Hats deliver the utmost in unsurpassed safety, comfort and
savings. Each Hard Hat is independently certified to meet ANSI Z89,
1-1997 Type 1, Classes E, G and C which is your assurance of specific
performance capabilities against impacts, penetration, electrical
shocks and burns, and flammability.
IndustrialSafetyGear.com Hard
Hats consist essentially of a shell and the suspension. These work
together, as a system, and both need regular inspection and
maintenance. The rigid Shell resists and deflects blows and
penetration, insulates against electrical shocks and burns, resists
water and is slow burning. Each Suspension design consists of a
headband and straps that typically maintains the shell from 1" to 1
1/4" (2.54 cm to 3.18 cm) away from the user's head. The Suspension
clearance acts as a shock absorber with either four or six load-bearing
points to spread impact and allows for air circulation over the
wearer's head. The Suspension also stabilizes the hard hat and conforms
comfortably to the head, in 1/8" size increments, to help prevent
shifting or falling off. IndustrialSafetyGear.com Hard Hats are designed for use in the
workplace and should not be used in sports and other activities.
Selection
& ANSI Z89.1-1997
The latest standards for protective Hard Hats are contained in ANSI
Personal Protection -- Protective Headwear for Industrial Workers -
Requirements ANSI Z89.1-1997.
Safety
headwear (e.g. hard hats) shall be worn by persons in any area in which
there is a potential hazard to the head from falling, flying or thrown
objects, or from other harmful contacts (e.g. electrical).
The standard provides minimum performance requirements 1) to reduce the
forces of impact and penetration from falling objects and 2) where
applicable, to provide protection from electrical shock hazards. A
flammability test is also administered.
The
standard provides requirements for two "Types" and three "Classes" of
headwear. Each Type and Class of head protector is intended to provide
protection against specific hazardous conditions. An understanding of
these conditions will help in selecting the right Hard Hat for the
particular situation.
Types
& Classes
- TYPE I - The typical hard hat - provides top of
head protection from impact and penetration.
- TYPE II - Helmets provide some degree of top of
head and off-center protection.
- CLASS E (Formerly Class B): Electrical (utility
service, non-conducting) intended to protect against falling objects
plus reduce the danger of exposure to high voltage electrical shocks
and burns. Class E Hard Hats are tested for force transmission first,
then tested at 20,000 volts for 3 minutes, with 9 milliamps maximum
current leakage; then tested at 30,000 volts, with no burn through
permitted. This Class is used extensively by employees engaged in
electrical work.
- CLASS G (Formerly Class A.): General Use
(limited voltage - non-conducting) intended to protect against falling
objects plus reduce the danger of exposure to low voltage electrical
conductors. Class G Hard Hats are tested at 2,200 volts for 1 minute,
with 3 milliamps maximum leakage. This Class is widely used in mining,
construction, shipbuilding, tunneling, lumbering, and manufacturing.
- CLASS C (No Class Change): Special service (no
voltage protection) hard hats are designed for lightweight comfort and
impact protection and not intended to provide protection from
electrical conductors. Class C Hard Hats are not tested for electrical
resistance. Class C Hard Hats are used in certain construction and
manufacturing occupations, oil fields, refineries, and chemical plants
where there is no danger from electrical hazards or corrosion and on
occasion where there is a possibility of bumping the head against a
fixed object.
Flammability
Testing is performed on hard hats to confirm protection of 1550*F
flame impingement for 5 seconds and to ensure there is no visible flame
on hard hat after 5 seconds of flame removal.
IndustrialSafetyGear.com Hard Hat Inspection & Maintenance
Outer
Shell - DO's & DON'TS
DO:
- Inspect
headwear before each use for any visible signs of dents, cracks,
gouges, penetration, chalking, loss of gloss or any other signs of
damage prior to use that might reduce the degree of safety originally
provided. Users are cautioned that if unusual conditions occur, such as
extreme high or low temperatures or if there are signs of abuse or
mutilation of the hard hat or any component, the margin of safety may
be reduced. Where damage or defects are detected, the Hard Hat should
be discarded and replaced with a new unit.
- Replace
Hard Hat even when hairline cracks start to appear.
- Replace
Hard Hat that has been struck by a forceful object, even if no damage
is obvious.
- Remove
and destroy any hard hat if its protective abilities are in doubt.
Note:
Safety headwear will deteriorate over time from exposure to sunlight
and other chemicals. The normal service life of a hard hat is
considered to be 5 years from the date of manufacture which can be
found permanently marked on the inside surface of the hard hat shell.
DO NOT:
- Do not
drill holes, alter or modify the shell. Alterations may reduce the
protection provided by the hard hat.
- Do not
use paint, solvents, gasoline, chemicals, or harsh cleaning materials
on the shell. These can make plastic headwear brittle, more susceptible
to cracks and reduce protection by physically weakening it or negating
electrical resistance. Paint can also hide cracks that may develop.
Instead, use OccuLux or OccuLux II Reflective and Regular logos to
customize or reinforce your graphics.
- Do not
use winter liners that contain metal or electrically conductive
material under Class G or E IndustrialSafetyGear.com Hard
Hats.
- Do not
use metal labels on Class G or E
Hard Hats.
- Do not
transport headwear in rear windows of vehicles since sunlight and
extreme heat may adversely affect the degree of
protection.
- Do not
draw the chin strap over the brim or peak of the Hard
Hat.
- Do not
wear Hard Hat backwards. The peak should always always face
forward.
- Do not
attach any product not specifically approved
by OccuNomix.
The
Suspension - DO's & DON'TS
DO:
- Inspect
suspension before every use. It's life span is affected by normal use,
heat, chemicals and ultraviolet rays. Where damage or defects are
detected, the suspension should be discarded and replaced with a new
unit. Hard Hat Suspensions will deteriorate over time from exposure to
sunlight and other chemicals. The normal service life of the Suspension
is considered to be 1 year of regular use. Where use is intermittent,
the suspension may last longer.
- Look
closely for cracked, torn or frayed suspension material or adjustment
slots.
- Check
the suspension lugs carefully. Long periods of normal use can damage
the Suspension. Perspiration and hair oils can speed up the
deterioration of Suspension materials.
- Replace
the Suspension if it has torn or broken threads.
- Adjust
headband size so that headwear will stay on when the wearer is bending
over, but not so tight that it leaves a mark on the forehead.
- Ensure
that the Suspension is in good condition. The main purpose of the
Suspension is to absorb energy.
DO NOT:
- Do not
put anything between the Suspension and the shell. There must be
clearance inside
the headwear while it is being worn. In case of a blow to the head,
that space helps absorb
the shock.
- Do not
mix different manufacturer Suspension types and hard hats. Replacement
suspension harnesses shall be from the same manufacturer and for the
same model of hard hat.
Cleaning
Clean IndustrialSafetyGear.com Hard Hat shell and suspension regularly according to the
OccuNomix instructions. Immerse in hot water (Approximately
140*Fahrenheit/60* Celsius) with mild anti-bacterial detergent for one
minute. Scrub and rinse in clear hot water.
What Are Employer's
Responsibilities?
Assess
Workplace For Hazards
As an
employer, you must assess your workplace to determine if hazards are
present that require the use of Hard Hats or other head protection. If
such hazards are present, you must establish a complete safety
protection program including selection, fit testing, training,
maintenance and
inspection.
Training
Checklist
Train employees who are required to wear Hard Hats on how do the
following:
- How to
use properly,
- Be aware
of when Hard Hats are
necessary,
- Know
what kind of Hard Hats are
necessary,
- Understand
the limitations of Hard Hats in protecting employees from
injury,
- Don (put
on), adjust, wear, and doff (remove) Hard
Hats,
- Maintain
Hard Hats properly, including how to identify signs of wear, such as
deformed, cracked or perforated brims or shells flaking, chalking or
loss of surface gloss. And, identify cracked, torn, frayed, or
otherwise deteriorated Suspension
systems
- How to
clean - in antibacterial soap and hot water
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