Hard hats come in different types and classes to provide protection against head injuries from impacts, electric shocks, burns, and irritants. They resist penetration, absorb shocks, and lessen injuries. The hard hat suspension system acts as a shock absorber and some hats provide insulation against electric shocks. Hard hats should be inspected regularly and replaced according to maintenance guidelines or if damaged to ensure proper protection.

1. HEAD SAFETY

2. INTRODUCTION
Head injuries causes include
– Impact
• Falling or flying objects
• falling or walking into hard objects
• injuries include neck sprains concussions and skull• injuries include neck sprains, concussions, and skull
fractures
– Electric Shock
i d l i i• Live exposed electric wires
• Injuries include electrical shocks and burns
– Dripsp
• Toxic liquids such as acids, caustics, and molten metals can
irritate and burn the head/scalp
Hard hats:Hard hats:
– resist penetration
– absorb the shock of a blowabsorb the shock of a blow
– lessen injury

3. HEAD PROTECTION
Wh i H d P t ti I t t?Why is Head Protection Important?
• In and around your head are:
– Your eyes, with which you see
– Your ears, with which you hear
– Your nose, with which you smell
– Your mouth, with which you eat and speak
– Your brain, with which you think
• Injuries to the head are very serious. Forj y
this reason, head protection and safety are
very important .y p

4. TYPES
Hard hats fall into two types and three classes
T i l d• Types include:
– Type 1 - full brim
– Type 2 - no brim, peak extending forward
Classes include:
Cl A l i li it d lt– Class A - general service - limited voltage
protection
– Class B - utility service – high voltage protection
– Class C - special service - no voltage protectionp g p

5. HARD HAT CLASSES
• Class A. These helmets are for general service.
Th id d i t t ti b t li it dThey provide good impact protection but limited
voltage protection. They are used mainly in mining,
b ildi t ti hi b ildi l b i dbuilding construction, shipbuilding, lumbering, and
manufacturing.
• Class B. Choose Class B helmets if your employees
are engaged in electrical work. They protect against
falling objects and high-voltage shock and burns.
• Class C. Designed for comfort, these light-weightg , g g
helmets offer limited protection. They protect workers
from bumping against fixed objects but do not protectp g g j p
against falling objects or electric shock.

6. PROTECTION
• Suspension system inside acts as a shock• Suspension system inside acts as a shock
absorber
• Some hats serve as an insulator
against electrical shocksg
• Shields your scalp, face, neck, and
shoulders against splashes spills and dripsshoulders against splashes, spills, and drips
• Some can be modified so you can add face
shields, goggles, hoods or hearing protection

7. MAINTENANCE
• Best to wear ANSI approved hard hatpp
• Hats consist of two components: shell and suspension
• Components work together as a system and must beComponents work together as a system and must be
inspected on a regular basis
• Shells should be inspected for dents, cracks, gouges & anyp , , g g y
damage from impact, penetration, abrasions, rough
treatment or wear.
• Degradation of thermoplastic material may be apparent
when the shell becomes stiff, brittle, faded, dull in color or
chalky in appearancechalky in appearance.
• Replace at the first sign of any of these conditions

8. 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

9. CONCLUSIONS
HARD HATSHARD HATS
• Protects from impacts from above.
• Never modify the shell or suspension.
• Avoid contact with electrical devices.Avoid contact with electrical devices.
• Replace if struck by a falling object.
Do not store in direct s nlight• Do not store in direct sunlight.
• Do not sit on.
• Do not paint.
• Do not use solvents or cleaners.Do not use solvents or cleaners.