Wearing a Hard Hat is Only Half the Job

1
Wearing a Hard Hat is Only Half the Job

• PPE Safety Training

2
Hard Hat Inspections

• Million of hard hats are worn every day
• Most recognizable piece of safety equipment in
  industrial workplace
• Protects the brain due to falling objects
• Rarely part of an inspection, maintenance or
  replacement program

3
Looks Can Be Deceiving

• Rugged looking material can disguise the need for
  replacement
• Replace when hat can no longer provide protection
  intended
• OSHA does not specify service life of hard hats
• Life spans vary based on conditions

4
Life of a Hard Hat

• General guideline, replace every five years
  regardless of outward appearance
• Exposure to high temperatures, sunlight or
  chemicals? Replace every two years
• Inspect suspension as well as shell
• Worksite review is critical to degradation of PPE

5
Inspection Maintenance

• Best to wear ANSI approved type I, class E, hard
  hat
• Hats consist of two components shell and
  suspension
• Components work together as a system and must be
  inspected on a regular basis

6
Shell Inspection

• Routinely inspect for dents, cracks, gouges
  damages due to impact
• Look to see if shell is brittle, faded, dull in
  color or exhibits a chalky appearance
• Replace if these conditions exist

7
Suspension Inspection

• Routinely closely inspect for cracks, frayed or
  cut crown straps, torn headband or size
  adjustment slots, loss of pliability, missing
  components or other signs of wear
• Conditions as these can be caused by
  perspiration, hair oils or normal wear

8
General Guidelines

• Avoid reissuing hard hats to new employees
• Supply with new, unused and unexposed
• Hard hats are designed to protect you only once
• If struck by a forcible blow, replace shell and
  suspension immediately

9
Field Test

• Compress shell inward from the sides about 1
  with both hands, then release pressure
• Shell should quickly return to its original shape
• Compare elasticity to new shell
• If sample doesnt match or cracks due to
  brittleness, replace immediately