Hard hat safety should follow regulations set by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). OSHA's standard specifies that helmets must meet ANSI hard hat requirements. Hard hats are designed to provide limited protection to the head, not complete safety. At All Safety Products, Inc., we provide a large selection of hard hats in a variety of styles, each of which complies with ANSI standards.
ANSI Z89.1 establishes guidelines for two different levels of impact protection. Type One helmets should reduce the force of impact from a blow to the top of the head. Type Two helmets should reduce the force of impact from a blow off-center or to the top of head. Both types are tested for impact and penetration resistance. Class C helmets provide no electrical protection. Class G helmets withstand 2,200 volts while Class E helmets withstand 20,000 volts.
Periodic inspections must be made of all hard hats. In particular, those exposed to sunlight for prolonged periods are susceptible to ultraviolet degradation. At the first sign of a loss of surface gloss or flaking, the hard hat should be replaced. Employers as well as employees should be educated on rules and procedures, which will enhance hard hat safety.
Because hard hats play such an important role in the safety of many work environments, we carry a wide variety of styles and colors here at Gallaway Safety & Supply.
Bump caps protect against bumping in tight areas but do not provide impact protection. Full brim and brimless hard hats with impact protection may be selected. Desirable features are ratchet suspension, adjustable head cradle, lightweight design, and nylon suspension.
Terms You Should Know About Hardhats:
Accessory Slots/Slotted Hard Hats- This is a slot on the sides of many cap-style hard hats which allows accessories such as ear muffs, faces shields, and other headgear.
Bump Caps- offers light protection but DO NOT protect against impact or blows to the top or side of the head.
Cap Style hard hats- Type of hard hat characterized by a bill in the front. Most hard-hats use this design. The design looks very similar to a baseball cap.
Full Brim hard hats- Type of hard hat with a brim that wraps completely around the hat. This helps to cover the neck and ears from the sun and other elements.
Pin-lock suspension- A type of suspension that attaches to the users head with a locking mechanism. Rather like a man's belt. This is the most economical of the suspensions. At this time, all hard hats come with either this suspension or the ratchet suspension below.
Ratchet suspension- A type of suspension with a quick ratchet adjusting knob. This loosens or tightens the hard hat "on the go" with a simple turn of the knob. The pin lock suspension must be removed to be adjusted.
Four point suspension/six point suspension- This is the actual number of clips that mounts the cradle suspension to the shell of the hard hat.
Polyethylene plastic- Most hard hats are designed with this hard plastic shell. Hard hats are also available in a fiberglass shell; however, it is a non-stock item and can take a little time to receive.
Z89.1-1997, Type 1, Class C,E,G - This is the ANSI stamp of approval that specifies the hard hat meets all safety requirements.
Type I Hard Hats - intended to reduce the force of impact resulting from a blow to the top of the head.
Type II Hard Hats - designed to provide protection against both side impact and blows to the top of the head. Locations in your workplace requiring Type II protection will be determined by your Safety Management.
ANSI Z87.1-1997 also changed the designations for the 3 electrical protection classes that apply to both Type I and Type II hard hats. Testing requirements remain the same.
Cleaning your hard hat and suspensions:
The hard hats with or without logos can be cleaned with simple soap and water, or by using a damp towel. The plastic suspensions can be cleaned similarly; however, most modern suspensions some with a sweatband in the front or back of the hat. These sweatbands can be gently washed by hand, but they probably won't last as long as the hard hat. Several universal brow pads are available at an economical price.
Replace your hard hat when:
- Cracks appear in the shell
- Shiny surface appears dull or chalky
- Shell becomes brittle
Replace your Suspension when:
- The suspensions become brittle
- One or more of the mounts break off
- The suspension will no longer hold securely to the head
- The cradling straps break or become worn
Inspect your hard hats before and after each use. Although there is no set service life for hard hats, manufacturers recommend replacement after no more than 5 years.
All About Face Shields
Face shields are intended to protect the entire face or portions of it from impact hazards such as flying fragments, objects, large chips, and particles. When worn alone, face shields do not protect employees from impact hazards. Use face shields in combination with safety spectacles or goggles, even in the absence of dust or potential splashes, for additional protection beyond that offered by spectacles or goggles alone.
Face shield windows are made with different transparent materials and in varying degrees or levels of thickness. These levels should correspond with specific tasks. Window and headgear devices are available in various combinations to enable the worker to select the appropriate equipment:
Windows
Face shield windows extend from the brow to below the chin and across the entire width of the face.
Windows are available in both removable and lift-front designs:
1. Removable windows allow the replacement of damaged windows.
2. Lift-front windows may be raised, as needed, or left in the lowered position.
Plastic windows:
- Protect against light impact
- May include a glass insert
- Are available clear or filtered
Wire-screen windows:
- May include a plastic/glass insert
- Protect against some moderate impact
- Are not recommended for use involving chemical or liquid hazards
Headgear
Headgear supports the window shield and secures the device to the head.
Adjustable headgear:
- Includes straps that allow the user to manipulate the size of the headgear to ensure a proper fit
- Allows face shields to be shared between employees
Hard hats with face shields:
- May have a window shield mounted under the visor of the hat
- Include face shields that may be plastic, wire-screen, lift-front, or removable
