Hard hats are required when working in areas where there is a potential for injury to the head from falling objects. In addition, hard hats designed to reduce electrical shock are required when working near exposed electrical conductors that may contact the head.
Specialty types of hard hats include those with miner's light attachments, reflective stripe for night work, face shields for welders, and attachments for visors or earmuffs.
Use of Hard Hats
Hard hats should be used when falling object hazards may result from activities with proximity to:
persons or operations where accidental dropping or loss of material, tools, equipment or other articles could lead to a head injury;
a barricaded or posted demolition or construction area where head hazards exist;
objects stored on shelves, platforms, etc. that may fall and cause head injury; or
overhead exposed energized conductors nearby.
Hard Hat Design Standards
All hard hats must comply with ANSI Z89.1, American National Standard for Personal Protection - Protective Headwear for Industrial Workers - Requirements. The suspension system inside the hat is designed to help absorb and dissipate impact while keeping a clearance between the head and shell of the hat. The class of hat is usually noted inside the hat shell.
Types and Classes
Type 1 - Helmets intended to reduce the force of impact resulting in a blow only to the top of the head.
Type 2 - Helmets intended to reduce the force of impact resulting in a blow to the top and the side of the head
Class E (Formerly Class B): Helmets for sue where electrical hazards are present (in utility services) that are non-conducting and intended to protect against falling objects and reduce the danger of exposure to high voltage electrical shocks and burns. Offers the highest protection with high-voltage shock and burn protection up to 20,000 volts.
Class G (Formerly Class A): General Use (limited voltage - non-conducting) intended to protect against falling objects and reduce the danger of exposure to low voltage electrical conductors. They provide impact and penetration resistance and protection from up to 2,200 volts.
Class (Formerly Class C): Class C Hard Hats are not tested for electrical resistance. They are designed for lightweight comfort and impact protection and are not intended to provide protection from electrical conductors.
Hard Hat Wear Factors and Limitations
Hard hat headbands and chin and nape straps should be adjusted to keep the hat comfortably on the head. Liners or sweatbands can be added for warmth or cooling. The shell or other parts of the hat should be replaced when they become damaged. Clean hats by dipping in hot water with detergent, scrub the shell and rinse in clear hot water. Cleaning solvents may damage the shell.