OSHA Hard Hat Requirements | New Hard Hat Safety Rules

Posted On: January 16,

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On a construction site, wearing hard hats is a good way to protect employees and yourself from life-altering injuries and even death. As you work to ensure safety on your site, remember that workers should be trained to recognize and understand the different types of OSHA-compliant hard hats. Further, they should be taught how to care for their hard hats.

OSHA hard hat regulations are in place to initiate the inclusion of the necessary head protection in work environments. Along with these specific regulations, there are also ANSI (American National Standards Institute) components.

How does it all work? OSHA presents the requirements you must follow, and ANSI delivers the means by which you follow these requirements.

What Is a Hard Hat?

A hard hat is a helmet worn to prevent workplace injuries to the head. Such head injuries might result from falling objects, debris, weather-related elements, etc. It&#;s not uncommon for workers to bump into fixed objects on a site or to encounter electrical hazards. Hard hat requirements protect workers from splashes and even exposure to ultraviolet light.

A hard hat must correspond with the following:

• Absorb shock caused by a blow to the head
• Resist penetration by either falling or stationary objects
• Be water-resistant and slow to burn

Hard Hat vs. Bump Cap

When hard hat safety in construction is not required on-site, a bump cap may be worn instead. Employees can avoid minor bumps that could lead to potential bruises, cuts, or abrasions if they wear bump caps.

Are Bump Caps OSHA-Compliant?

We&#;ll answer this question while answering the following: Are bump hats ANSI-compliant? Bump caps are not ANSI compliant; therefore, they are not OSHA-compliant. In addition, bump caps do not protect against falling objects. Consequently, they are never appropriate for workplaces that require hard hat protection.

Hard Hat Safety Facts Found Inside Hat

You might be asking, &#;are my hard hats meeting requirements?&#; This is how you&#;ll know. You should see the following information printed inside your hard hat. Check the following:

• Manufacturer&#;s name
• ANSI standard
• ANSI type (I or II)
• ANSI class (G, E, or C)
• Size
• Date of manufacturing

For some types and classes, you will also see guiding arrows, &#;LT&#; (low temperature) marks, and &#;HV&#; (high visibility) descriptions.

When Are Hard Hats Required?

OSHA-compliant hard hats are required if the following hazardous conditions are present in the work environment:

• If objects may fall from overhead and potentially strike employees
• If electrical hazards exist and accidental head contact is a risk
• If there are stationary fixtures, such as beams and pipes, on which employees may bump their heads

Below, you will find a simplified list of ANSI and OSHA hard hat rules, but please review in-depth materials to ensure all safety measures have been taken. Better yet, contact Safety by Design and let us help you today. We specialize in workplace organization, employee safety, and fall protection training in Houston.

OSHA Hard Hat Requirements

So, how can you meet OSHA&#;s hard hat rules? Follow these steps to avoid OSHA violations.

• The hard hat&#;s design must perform against impact, penetration, and electrical shock.
• The hard hat must be the type and class (ANSI) for specific hazardous conditions.
• The hard hat should undergo testing requirements to ensure its OSHA compliance. Beyond manufacturers&#; routine testing, employers should verify that hard hats are fully compliant.

Read more about OSHA&#;s hard hat requirements here.

ANSI Hard Hat Requirements

Now, when does a hard hat meet ANSI&#;s requirements? There are two types of hard hats, and there are three classes. The classes are based on the varying levels of electrical hazard protection offered.

• Your hard hats must meet one of the two types: TYPE I: Protects the top of the head. TYPE 2: Protects both the top and the sides of the head.
• Your hard hats must meet with one of the three classes: CLASS G: These are general hard hats rated for 2,200 volts. CLASS E: These are electrical hard hats rated for 20,000 volts. CLASS C: These are conductive hard hats, and they do not offer electrical protection at all.

Read more about ANSI hard hat requirements here.

It&#;s best to use third-party safety companies like Safety By Design to ensure you&#;re OSHA and ANSI-compliant regarding your employees&#; hard hats. We make it our business to know the ins and outs of these rules and regulations. We&#;ll give you peace of mind as our OSHA risk assessment consultants help ensure ultimate safety for all in your workplace.

How Long Are Hard Hats Good For?

OSHA hard hat replacement requirements must be considered when hats develop dents, cracks, penetration, or even wear from rough care and treatment. An OSHA hard hat expiration date does not exist, but manufacturers may set a specific date for expiration.

Most replace their hard hats every five years. In addition, they replace the support strap annually.

How Often Should A Hard Hat Be Inspected?

Every time hard hats are used, they must be inspected for any damage that may render them ineffective and non-compliant. Beyond a visual safety inspection, hard hats should be squeezed with two hands, applying force. If squeaking or unusual sounds are detected, it is time for a replacement.

Safety By Design Can Help Protect Your Workers

Use the safety compliance management services of Safety By Design today! Safety is our mission. We know what it takes and are experts in practical, fully-compliant safety program development for Texas businesses. Protect your workers and contact our team today to learn more about OSHA training in Houston!

Thank you for visiting our website! We appreciate your interest in workplace safety. Please note that Safety by Design is not affiliated with OSHA. However, we can assist you with the following OSHA-related services:
&#; OSHA Mock Inspection
&#; OSHA Training
&#; Facilitate OSHA Inspections and Citations
If you need to file a complaint with OSHA, please call 800-321- (OSHA) or visit this page for other methods to contact them.

Head injuries are often serious and all too often life threatening. It is important, when working in hazardous industries, you and your employees are protected with some form of head protection such as a Hard Hat or a Bump Cap.

Hard Hats are very different pieces of PPE from Bump Caps and they both perform different safety functions, so it is important you understand the differences between them.

Each year around 65,000 need time off of work due to head injuries. Over 1,000 workers die from injuries sustained on the job. Do you know the difference between bump caps and hard hats?

What is the Difference Between a Bump Cap and a Hard Hat?

Bump caps are safety equipment that protect the wearer from minor head bumps and lacerations, but not from falling or flying objects. You should use safety bump caps when there is a risk of impact between the head and stationary objects such as low ceilings, the underside of a vehicle (for mechanics, especially) and overhead piping.

It is the bump cap's removable safety insert that protects the head and not the fabric cap itself. This allows for easy cleaning and customisation techniques such as embroidery.

When there is a risk of impact with moving objects, we must use a hard hat.

For more information, please visit bulk hard hats.

Both bump caps and hard hats have safety requirements which are defined in the safety standard BS EN 812:. They test bump caps for a lower level of severity, measuring essential performance and safety requirements. Also, bump caps provide protection against sharp objects and some against cold temperatures.

Hard Hats (aka: Safety Helmets) are an essential piece of PPE equipment (PDF). It is made of rigid material such as a polymer, metal or fibreglass to protect the wearer when working in places where debris and falling objects cause a potential risk of head injury.

Mandatory on building sites, hard hats will withstand major impact to protect the wearer&#;s head from impact. Hard hats also protect the wearer from different weather conditions.

Both hard hats and bump caps provide some level of head protection. What you need for your industry depends on the potential hazards you and your workers are exposed to.

What is a Bump Cap?

Also know as a bump hat, these are inexpensive and easy to wear, almost like a safety version of a baseball cap, but are not for really high impact risks.

Effectiveness of Protection

A bump cap protects you from stationary objects and nothing that is high impact. They are, as the name suggests, simply to protect against bumping your head.

Cost

Bump caps sit at around the £6-£10 range per unit but are cheaper when ordering in bulk. However, some companies offer winter hard caps around the £15-£25 price point.

Maintenance

Inspect, maintain, replace. Replace anything that is damaged. Clean with mild soap and water. Do not use chemicals on the cap or shell.

Lifespan

You can perform a shell test by pressing down with both hands. If the material springs back, your bump cap is still effective. Compare with the elasticity of a new shell. If it does not have the same properties or has cracks, it needs to be replaced in order to comply with EN812:.

Ease of Wear

Look for adjustable straps for an easy secure fit. Caps do not add height to your head and reduce your chances of injury from bumping into objects. You can get hot and sweaty with prolonged use if the model does not provide ventilation.

Bump caps are more lightweight compared to hard hats and do not impair vision.

What is a Hard Hat?

Also known as a Safety Helmet, hard hats are exactly what they say they are - a hat, that is hard - designed to protect you from impacts that would otherwise result in serious head injury or even death.

Effectiveness of Protection

Hard hats protect you from high-impact debris by absorbing the shock of the impact and offer the best head protection when worn correctly. Hard hats are resistant to penetration, falling objects and extreme heat.

Cost

The cost of hard hats can range anywhere from £3 per unit to £20-£30 per unit. The average price range is £9. When bought in bulk, it reduces the cost significantly.

Maintenance

Just like bump caps, follow the "inspect, maintain and replace" rules. Make sure you replace any damaged parts and clean with mild soap and water. Do not use chemicals on your hard hat - that includes permanent markers!

Lifespan

You need to replace the suspension at least every 12 months and the shell every 2-5 years. The lifespan of you hard hat relies on your work environment such as:

• Sunlight exposure
• Temperature extremes
• Chemical exposure
• Frequency of use

You need to inspect your hard hat daily to determine if the shell, suspension or the entire unit needs replacing. Also, if your hard hat has sustained an impact, you need to replace it. Replace your hard hat if it has:

• Cracks
• Dents
• Cuts/gauges
• Frayed straps
• Tears
• Flexibility

Heat, sunlight and chemical exposure also effects your hard hat. They can make the shell become chalky, dull and less flexible. 

Ease of Wear

Hard hats need to be fitted to make sure they are comfortable. They are adjustable. You and your staff can wear items such as bandanas, skull-caps and hoods underneath your hard hat as long as they are smooth on top of your head. Make sure you avoid pressure points. Your hard hat needs to fit snuggly.

Hard hats often need replacing to offer the highest level of protection so it is better value when you buy them in bulk. Any workplace with the hazard of high-impact debris requires hard hats to be worn.

You should also be aware that there are different colours of hard hats for different job roles. you can learn more about hard hat colour coding here.

Are Bump Caps Allowed on Construction Sites?

Probably not.

There is no hard and fast rule here, except the suitability of the headwear for the environment you are in. If it's possible that someone could drop a brick on your head, then a bump cap is not going to protect you in the way a hard hat would.

Your managers will know this and will probably set a site/company wide rule.

So if the PPE sign says you must wear a Hard Hat, then a bump cap is not suitable.

Conclusion

The type of head protection you need depends on your workplace and working environment. If there is a risk of high-impact, you need to wear hard hats. You should only use bump caps to protect you from minor head bumps and cuts.

It is important you do not skimp on head protection. Injury of a worker will cost businesses more in the long run than the head protection itself.

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