Hard Hats – Construction
The first hard hat was invented by a California manufacturer of safety equipment in 1919. E.D. Bullard still makes hard hats today.
Head protection is worn by all types of professionals. NASCAR drivers, National Football League players, National Hockey League players, jockeys, soldiers, and deep sea divers just to name a few. As construction workers we are required to wear head protection too. Ours is called a hard hat.
Why require a hard hat? It protects you from the danger of head injury caused by the impact from falling or flying objects and from electrical shock. All hard hats must meet requirements for impact resistance and/or electrical resistance as set by the American National Standards Institute. Hard hats are tested to withstand the impact of an eight-pound weight dropped five feet. That’s about the same as a two-pound wrench or hammer falling twenty feet and landing on your head. There are three classes of hard hats: ‘Class A’ hard hats are made from insulating material to protect you from falling objects and electric shock up to 2,200 volts. ‘Class B’ hard hats meet the same requirements as Class A hard hats but they are rated for shock protection up to 20,000 volts. ‘Class C’ hard hats are designed to protect you from falling objects, but are not rated for electrical shock protection. Make sure that your hard hat is the right one for your job, and WEAR IT!
Never drill holes in your hard hat. Check your hat daily for cracks, dents or deep scratches. This kind of change or damage could severely reduce its ability to protect you. The suspension system should not be removed except for cleaning. Don’t wear your hard hat backwards (except while welding). Bump caps are not appropriate for construction projects; they are not built to provide the protection that a hard hat does.
Don’t take chances — wear your hard hat at all times, it protects your head which in turn protects your brain. Keep your hat clean and replace it immediately if it is damaged. If a head injury should occur, report it to your supervisor.
* Safety Reminders *
Make sure your hard hat fits properly.
It is the symbol of a construction worker.
Wear it proudly!