Ontivity Resources

A hard hat is the last line of defense against objects impacting one of your most vital assets – your head. OSHA regulations require employers to provide hardhats when objects or debris might fall from above and strike workers on the head, when employees may strike their heads against fixed objects, or when there is the possibility that workers’ heads are exposed to electrical hazards. Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics show that hard hats were worn by only 16% of workers who sustained head injuries on the job. In just about any given year, more than one thousand workers are killed in the US from head injuries sustained at work. 

Today we will discuss 3 topics related to the use of hard hats in our workplace. 

• ALWAYS WEAR A HARD HAT WHILE ON-SITE

• AVOID USING STICKERS IN A WAY THAT WOULD PREVENT PROPER INSPECTION

• ENSURE YOUR HARD HAT IS PROPERLY RATED

ALWAYS WEAR A HARD HAT WHILE ON-SITE.

This point is pretty short and sweet.  Ontivity’s company policy is that hard hats are required to be always worn while on site, except during lunch and break periods.  This is of course provided no work is in progress in the immediate break area or above it. One additional exception is when workers are operating equipment with fully enclosed cabs.  Keep in mind that some customers or property owners could have more stringent guidelines that could supersede our internal requirements negating our allowed exceptions.

AVOID USING STICKERS IN A WAY THAT WOULD PREVENT PROPER INSPECTION.

This is a common question. What is our stance on the use of stickers on a hard hat? From a safety perspective, non-metallic stickers or tape with self-adhesive backing are acceptable on most of today’s hard hats. However, there are some general guidelines to follow – we must ensure that the use of stickers does not prevent a thorough inspection. More directly or stated differently, we must ensure stickers are not used to cover up damage on a hard hat. Some manufacturers also state that hard hat stickers should be placed at least a 1/2” from the edge of the helmet. We all love our hard hats not only because of the protection they provide but also because they allow us to show off some of our experiences and accomplishments by way of stickers. However, keep in mind, as we stated in today’s bullet point, we must make sure the use of stickers doesn’t get in the way of a thorough inspection.

ENSURE YOUR HARD HAT IS PROPERLY RATED.

ANSI designates 3 classes of hard hats. Class E, G, and C are the three classes identified in Z89.1.  Class C hard hats are made of conductive material and since we deal with varying levels of electrical hazards, and RF daily, Ontivity policy does not allow them on our job sites.  Our company safety policy specifically requires the use of Class E or G hard hats.  These classes of hard hats provide certain levels of protection against electrical, and RF exposure, with Class E offering the highest level of protection.    

When choosing a hard hat, it’s not about how cool it looks or how much space you have for stickers.  It’s all about choosing the right type and class that offers the appropriate level of protection. You can verify the type of hard hat you have by looking for the ANSI required labels or stamping placed somewhere on the inside of your hard hat.  I will leave you with one quick tidbit of information.  The average hard hat weighs 14 oz, couple that with the average weight of a person’s head at 14 lbs. and the old saying an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure holds true.

If you would like more information on this topic or any other safety-related topic, please reach out to the Ontivity safety team at safety@ontivity.com, and we will get you taken care of.