TITLE: USE OF HARD HATS WITH CHIN STRAPS IN ESKOM
1. INTRODUCTION
Wearing a safety helmet prevents or lessens head injuries from falling objects or a person hitting
his/her head against something. It is of the outmost importance and in support of our value of Zero
Harm that all hard hats are properly used at all times as per suppliers’ specifications and in terms of
the requirements and are worn correctly at all times in areas where there is a risk of head injuries. A
chin strap fitted to a hard hat will ensure that the hard hat remains on the employee’s head to ensure
maximum protection in any situation.
Manco has made a decision that, in the case of Eskom, as from 1 September 2012, everyone
wearing a hard hat in areas where required shall wear the type fitted with a chin strap as well
displaying the applicable emergency number (Europ Assistance or the applicable local emergency
number). This must be clearly displayed on the back of any hard hat.
All hard hats, including chin straps and information displayed on any hard hat, shall comply with the
requirements set out in this briefing note in order to ensure one standard for all hard hats across
Eskom. This will include the specifications referred to in SANS 1397:2003.
1.1. In the case where new hats are purchased for employees, the following is required:
a) For working at height and ground level, hard hats fitted with a three-point chin strap that
meets the requirements of the applicable SANS standard must be used.
b) In the case where hearing muffs are required to be worn and to ensure proper fit, a hard hat
fitted with a single chin strap, made out of non-elastic material, will be required.
c) Hard hats must display the applicable emergency number (either Europ Assistance or the
applicable local emergency number). This must be clearly displayed on the back of every
hard hat.
d) Hard hats must comply with the corporate identity requirements stipulated in this briefing note.
1.2. It is not reasonable to replace all hard hats with new ones; therefore, where the facility on an
existing hard hat exists for a single or three point chin strap (where it is possible to add a chin strap,
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as it is provided in the design of such a hard hat), a chin strap made out of non-elastic material may
be fitted to the existing hard hat. The hard hats shall have a Zero Harm sticker on the left hand side.
1.3. In the case of contractor employees:
a) For working at height and ground level, hard hats fitted with a three-point chin strap that
meets the requirements of the SANS standard must be used.
b) In the case where hearing muffs are required to be worn and to ensure proper fit, a hard hat
fitted with a single chin strap, made out of non-elastic material, will be required.
c) Hard hats must display the applicable emergency number (either Europ Assistance or the
applicable local emergency number). This must be clearly displayed on the back of every
hard hat.
d) The use of zero-harm stickers and the display of the emergency number to be of the same
type as above.
e) Contractors should place their own company logo and not an Eskom logo in the front of the
hard hat.
f)
The colour coding for the hard hats shall be according to contractor’s internal procedures.
1.4. In the case of any visitor entering an area where a hard hat is a requirement at any Eskom site,
he or she shall wear a hard hat fitted with at least a single chin strap, unless such a person needs to
enter an area involving heights, in which case the person will wear a hard hat as described in 1.1 or
1.3 above. This information must be communicated to visitors prior to them visiting a site.
1.5. A proper risk assessment shall be conducted to establish the need for hard hats and to identify
the type of hat to be purchased e.g. hard hats for work at heights must have a short peak.
2. MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS FOR HARD HATS
a) All hard hats used shall bear the SABS mark in accordance with SANS 1397:2003.
b) The hard hat shall include a shell, a harness, and a chin strap.
c) All hard hats shall have electrical insulation of at least 440 VAC (volts alternating current).
d) The hard hat shall be made of durable quality material that has no sharp edges or material known
to cause health effects and can withstand exposure to sun, rain, cold, dust, vibrations, contact
with skin, effects of sweat, and skin products as per SANS requirements.
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e) Any part of the hard hats that can be adjusted, removed, or replaced shall be designed in such a
way that it can be achieved without using tools.
f)
If the hard hat is provided with holes for ventilation, the total area of such holes shall not be less
2
2
than 150 mm and not more than 450 mm .
g) Hard hats for employees working at height or climbers shall have a shorter peak.
h) Hard hats shall be replaced according to manufacturers’ specifications or as reasonably
practicable.
2.1 Branding
a) The colour of hard hats shall be white and shall have a Pantone 287 C colour Eskom logo that is
in line with the Corporate Identity Procedure, positioned in the front of the hat or on both sides of
the hat if any accessory is going to be attached to the front of the hat. (see annexure 1)
b) An approved Zero Harm sticker shall be attached to the left-hand side of the hard hat on the
existing hats. On new hard hats, the Zero Harm device shall be printed on the hat using heat
transfer or a silk screening process.
If the hard hat is going to be used by a Safety Health and
Environmental (SHE) representative, first-aider, evacuation warden, or fire warden, the title of the
appointee shall be printed on the right-hand side of the hat. The colour of the appointee
designation shall be according to Eskom’s corporate identity colours.
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c) All hard hats shall have a reflective sticker with emergency numbers attached at the back. The
background of the stickers shall be in white reflective material and the numbers and border in
Pantone 287 C or royal blue colour.
NOTE: if the BU/OU or division has its own allocated site emergency number, it shall be attached
at the back of the hat, and if there is none, a Europ Assistance number shall be attached.
d) No other stickers shall be attached to the hat, except the ones mentioned above.
e) All stickers shall be made of durable and waterproof vinyl material that has a guarantee of at least
seven years, and shall not be easy to remove.
f)
All hard hats for Eskom employees shall have a permanent heat transferred or silk screened Zero
Harm device, within a period of three years as from date of this communication.
g) All contractors contracted to Eskom shall attach the Emergency number stickers (Onsite
Emergency number or Europ Assist numbers) at the back of their hard hats. NOTE: Europ
Assistance only covers people doing work for Eskom who got injured at an Eskom site
(employees and contractors).
2.2 Shell
a) The outer surface of the shell shall have a smooth finish and shall have no sharp edges.
b) The shell shall cover the upper part of the head and extend down to at least the level of the upper
edge of the headband at the front of the hat.
c) The shell shall have as uniform strength as possible and shall not be specifically reinforced at any
point.
2.3 Harness
a) The harness shall include a headband with a nape strap, cradle, or sweatband.
b) Parts of the harness that come into contact with skin shall be made of material that does not
cause irritation or any other health effects.
2.3.1 Headband
a) The headband shall have a nape strap and shall be adjustable in increments of not more than
5 mm.
2.3.2 Cradle
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a) The lining of the cradle shall be made of material that is not harmful to the health of the
wearer.
b) If the cradle is made of textile tape, the width of each strap shall not be less than
15 mm, and the total of the widths of the tapes radiating from their intersection
shall not be less than 72 mm.
2.3.3 Sweatband
If hard hats are supplied with a sweatband, it shall comply with the following:
a) It shall be made of absorbent and washable material.
b) The thickness shall be minimum 0.8 mm.
2.4 Hard hat accessories
a) Any accessories fixed to the hat shall be designed in such a manner that they do not cause
injuries to the wearer at any point in time, and they shall have no metallic or rigid projection inside
that could cause injuries.
b) All accessories that are attached to the hard hat shall be compatible with the hat and preferably
be from the original hat manufacturer. Instructions on how to attach and operate them shall be
supplied with the hard hat.
c) The accessories shall be used according to the manufacturer’s specifications.
2.4.1 Chin straps
a) All hard hats shall be fitted with a chin strap, which shall be attached to either the shell or the
harness.
b) The chin strap shall include adjustable webbing, an attachment to the hard hat, and lock-in
clip-type connectors with a weak link to allow tearing when required.
c) The chin straps shall not be less than 10 mm in width when untensioned.
d) Chin straps shall be made of non-elastic polyvinyl webbing.
e) When the chin strap is tested according to clause 6.9 of SANS 1397: 2003, the artificial jaw
shall be released at the force of not less than 150N and not more than 250N, due to failure
only of the anchorage.
f)
All chin straps shall be compatible with the type of hard hat issued to the wearer. A test
conducted by the SABS proved that when you use a chin strap that is not compatible with the
hard hat, it would not release or break at the required limit. All suppliers of chinstraps shall
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produce a copy of the SABS certificate to prove that the chin straps were tested according to
clause 6.9 of SANS 1397.
g) Chin straps shall be attached to the hat according to the manufacturer’s specifications.
h) The colour of chin straps shall be black or royal blue (if available).
i)
All hard hats for employees working at heights shall be supplied with attached threepoint/four-point chin straps.
j)
Hard hats that have earmuffs attached shall be secured with a single point chin strap so as
not to block the earmuff from covering the whole ear.
2.4.2 Neck protector
a) If a neck protector is attached to a hard hat, it shall be made of washable material that will not
cause harm to the health of the wearer.
b) It shall be attached in such a manner that it does not cover the Europ Assistance sticker at
the back.
c) The neck protector shall be royal blue in colour.
NOTE: all hard hats that do not comply with, or cannot be modified to satisfy, these specifications
shall be returned to the manufacturer or be disposed of.
3. CARE AND MAINTENANCE BY THE EMPLOYEE
3.1 Hard hats shall:
a) be kept clean and maintained in a good condition, and cradles and sweatbands shall be washed
at least once a month using warm soapy water only and not solvents;
b) be inspected before use by the employee for cracks and signs of impact and wear that may
reduce the degree of safety originally provided;
c) not be painted or defaced in any manner whatsoever; and
d) be destroyed and disposed of if damaged.
3.2 When wearing a hard hat, the employee shall ensure that:
a) it fits properly, that the lining or cradle is properly adjusted to fit the head, and that it is properly
secured with a chin strap;
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b) it is inspected regularly and is not damaged in any way; particular attention shall be paid to the
condition of the cradle insert, as it plays an important part in absorbing the shock of a blow to the
head;
c) it is clean;
d) nothing is worn under the hard hat, except a balaclava without a pom-pom, as this prevents the
hard hat from performing as intended; and
e) chin straps attached are in a good condition.
3.3 Disposal of hard hats
a) The user shall return the damaged hard hat to the stores department and all hats shall be sent for
recycling.
NB: when an employee resigns or is transferred, he/she shall return the hard hat to the employer.
4. PROCUREMENT OF HARD HATS
To procure hard hats, the following SAP numbers shall be used for different OUs/BUs or divisions:
ITEM
DESCRIPTION
Hard hat for ground level
Hard hat for ground level work supplied with a
work with a three point chin
black adjustable three point chin strap.
SAP NUMBER
0552720
strap
Hard hat for ground level
Hard hat for ground level work a supplied with a
work
black adjustable single point chin strap; used with
in
a
noise
zone
(above 105 dB).
Hard
hat
for
0552718
ear muffs.
work
at
heights.
Hard hat for work at heights with a short peak and
0552719
reduced brim supplied with a black adjustable
three point chin strap;
Hard
hat
for
work
at
Hard hat for work at heights with a short peak and
heights in a noise zone
reduced brim supplied with a black adjustable
(above 105 dB).
single point chin strap; used with ear muffs.
Europ Assistance sticker
A Europ assist sticker with emergency number
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0552724
0552721
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086 123 7566 made of durable material as
prescribed in the specifications.
Three point chin strap
Three-point chin strap
made of
non-elastic
0552722
material to be attached to a compatible hat and
used in a “noise free or normal” work area.
Single point chin strap
Single point chin strap made of non-elastic
0552723
material to be attached to a compatible hat and
used in a “noisy area where ear muffs are
required.
NOTE: All BU’s/OU’s or divisions that have their own on site emergency number shall create their
own internal SAP number for emergency stickers. The stickers shall comply to these specifications.
5. DEFINITIONS
Cradle: the assembly parts of the harness in contact with the head, excluding the headband and
nape strap.
Chin strap: a strap that fits under the chin when properly used will secure the hard hat on the head.
a)
Single point chin strap
b) Three point chin strap
Hard hat: sometimes referred to as an “industrial helmet”, is headgear intended to protect the upper
part of the wearer’s head against injury of falling objects.
Hard hat accessories:
any additional parts for special purposes such as a chin strap, neck
protector, drawlace, and attachment devices for a lamp, cable, face protection, and hearing
protection.
Harness: the complete assembly that provides a means (a) of maintaining the hard hat in position on
the head and/or (b) of absorbing kinetic energy during an impact.
The harness includes the
headband and nape strap.
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Headband: the part of the harness completely or partly surrounding the head above the eyes at
approximately the largest horizontal circumference of the head.
Nape strap:
the adjustable strap that fits behind the head below the plane of the headband;
sometimes the nape strap forms the integral part of the headband.
Neck protector: the fabric attached at the back of the hard hat below the shell intended to protect
the wear against exposure to the sun.
Shell: the hard, smoothly finished material that provides the general outer form of the hard hat.
Sweatband: an accessory to cover at least the inner front surface of the headband to improve
wearer comfort.
Work at height: any work performed above a stable work surface, or where a person puts
himself/herself in a position where he/she exposes himself/herself to a fall from or into. Work at
height is; as a result, work in any place, including a place at, above, or below ground level, where a
person could be injured if he/she fell from that place. Access and egress to a place of work can also
be work at height.
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