Recently I received a call from a municipal safety coordinator about whether to change their policy and procedures to allow workers to wear bump caps rather than hard hats. Upon researching the issue, I recommended the municipality keep their current policy and procedures regarding hard hats for several reasons. They are safer, less hassle for supervisors and safety personnel to manage, they are cheaper, and they can be just as comfortable for the wearer if you purchase high quality equipment. If your municipality is having a debate about this issue and you would like a recommendation from OMAG’s Risk Management Services, just give us a call.
Here are the basic facts about hardhat safety. In just about any given year more than one thousand workers are killed in the US from head injuries sustained on the job. Workers complain that hardhats are hot and uncomfortable to wear. They state they “have never been hit by anything while doing their job, therefore wearing a hard hat is dumb.” They complain that wearing a hardhat makes them look silly so they don’t wear it. Regardless, employers must ensure their workers wear head protection if they are at risk of being struck by falling objects, bumping their heads on fixed objects, or encountering electrical hazards.
OSHA states that hardhats must: resist penetration by objects, absorb shock from a blow to the head by an object, be slow to burn, and be water-resistant. All hardhats must have a label inside the shell listing the manufacturer, ANSI designation, and class of the hat.
Hardhats must feature a hard outer shell and a lining that absorbs shock and incorporates a headband. Straps should suspend from the shell about 1 inch to 1 ¼ inches away from the worker’s head. Hard hats must meet ANSI standard requirements. Workers must wear the proper type for their job task. The classes for OSHA approved hardhats are as follows:
Class G – General Helmet - provide protection against impact and object penetration. Their voltage protection is limited to 2,200 volts.
Class E – Electrical Helmet - delivers the most protection against electrical hazards (up to 20,000 volts). They protect against impact and penetration hazards form falling objects or objects flying through the air.
Class C – Conductive Helmet - for lightweight impact protection and offers more comfort, however OSHA points out that these offer no protection against electrical hazards.
The “bump cap” is intended for workers in areas that have low head clearance. OSHA states they are not designed to protect against falling/flying objects and have no electrical hazard protection. Bump caps are not ANSI approved. Since most public works jobs require protection from potential falling/flying objects and some require electrical hazard protection, it would not be a best risk management practice to allow workers to wear bump caps.
Finally, OSHA offers some tips for caring for hardhats:
Clean and inspect hardhats daily. Replace hardhats with cracks, perforations, or other deformities immediately.
Know that some paints, paint thinners, and some cleaning agents can weaken a hardhat’s shell as well as reduce its electrical resistance.
Do not apply labels or drill holes into the hardhat – doing so can damage its protective capabilities.
Keep your hardhat out of direct sunlight when not in use. Sunlight and extreme heat can damage a hardhat and make it ineffective protection against object impact.
The bottom line is employers and supervisors must be sure to have written policies and procedures as to when hardhats are required for a job. You must manage workers and make sure they are following proper procedures and wearing hardhats. Finally, you should purchase the approved type of hardhat for the job, making sure it is approved by ANSI and is quality equipment.
