PPE Training Module 1:
Head Protection (Hard Hats)
Training on the use of hard hats in
the workplace
Reviewed against AS 1800:1998
Original slides from Washington State Department of Labor and Industries
Head Protection (Hard Hats)
The following topics will be covered:
•
Head Hazards
•
Types of Hard hats
•
Limitations
•
Use and Care
Your Head
The human skull does a pretty
good job of protecting the brain,
eyes, ears and nose, but it has its
limits.
The force of a golf ball hitting your
head at moderate speed, or simply
walking into a hard object can
fracture your skull. A stronger force
can cause more severe injuries.
Since head injuries can be very
serious, head protection is required
on certain kinds of jobs.
Possible Head Injuries
Falling or flying objects are a
common cause of head injuries.
Also, falling onto or walking into
hard objects can cause serious
head injuries.
These injuries can include scalp
lacerations, neck sprains,
concussions, skull fractures,
brain damage or even death.
How Hard Hats Protect You
Hard hats protect you with the following:
• A rigid shell that resists and deflects
blows to the head;
• A suspension system inside
the hat that acts as a shock
absorber;
• A shield for your scalp, face, neck,
and shoulders against overhead
splashes, spills, and drips of hot or
caustic liquids;
• Some hats serve as an insulator
against electrical shocks.
Where Are Hard Hats Required?
• Any worksite where you are
potentially exposed to flying or
falling objects;
• Around or under scaffolds or other
overhead structures;
• Any demolition work with
overhead hazards;
• Any other locations required by
company policy.
When are Hard Hats Required?
• Risk of be hit by flying or falling
objects;
• While working as a flagger;
• Work near live electrical conductors
that could contact your head.
Where We Require Hard Hats
List your specific locations, jobs or tasks where
hard hats are required at the worksite.
Using A Hard Hat
Adjust the suspension inside your hard hat so
that the hat sits comfortably, but securely on
your head.
Care Of Hard Hats
Clean your hard hat as needed to
remove oil, grease, chemicals, and
sweat that can collect in and around
your hat.
You can clean your hat with mild soap
and hot water for 5-10 minutes. Rinse
with clear water, wipe, and let air dry.
Because prolonged exposure to
sunlight and heat can damage your
hat, store it in a clean, dry, and cool
location out of direct sunlight.
Hard Hat Replacement
Inspect headwear before each use for any visible
signs of dents, cracks, gouges, penetration, chalking,
loss of gloss or any other signs of damage that might
reduce the degree of safety originally provided.
Replace hat when hairline cracks start to appear.
Replace hat that has been struck by a forceful object,
even if no damage is obvious.
Hard Hat
Replacement (continued)
Safety helmets have a "use by date" or a "working
life”.
Each helmet, when manufactured, has a year and
month of manufacture stamped onto the inside of the
shell near the peak for easy reading. The arrow in the
stamp points to the month and the year overlays the
arrow. For example below, the arrow points to 9 and
the number is 04 means that the helmet was
manufactured in September 2004.
Hard Hat
Replacement (continued)
If the helmet has been used regularly it should be
replaced after 3 years from the date of issue. The
date of issue should be marked on an additional sticker
on the inside of the helmet at the back of the shell. The
date of issue is not necessarily the same as the date of
manufacture
The harness/headband has a life of 2 years and
should be replaced at an earlier date.
Hard Hat Suspension what’s under the shell
Inspect suspension before every use.
Look for cracked, torn or frayed straps.
Replace suspension when damage or
defects are detected.
Suspensions will deteriorate over time
from exposure to sunlight and chemicals,
perspiration and hair oils.
The normal service life of the suspension
is about one year of regular use. The
suspension may last longer with
intermittent use.
Hard Hat Suspension (continued)
Don’t mix different manufacturer
suspension types and hard hats.
Replacement suspension harnesses
must be from the same manufacturer
and for the same model of hard hat.
Don’t wear a hard hat backwards
unless you rotate the suspension.
Use Of Hard Hats
Don’t use paint, solvents, gasoline,
chemicals, or harsh cleaning materials
on the shell.
Before any application of adhesive
tape, advice should be sought to
ensure that the tape adhesive will not
degrade the shell material. Generally,
self-adhesive pads or stickers have
been found not to affect the shell
material adversely.
Use Of Hard Hats (continued)
Don’t transport headwear in rear
windows of vehicles since sunlight and
extreme heat will weaken it.
Don’t put anything in the space
between the suspension and the shell.
Types Of Hard Hats
Type 1—Industrial This type of helmet was formerly
known as the industrial safety helmet. It is suitable
for work in the construction industry, factories and
quarrying.
Type 2—High temperature workplaces This type of
helmet as well as meeting the requirements of Type 1
helmets, is intended to withstand exposure to high
temperatures such as may be encountered in
steelworks. It has a shell of a heat resistant material,
and may have ear and neck protectors intended to
have a low flammability.
Types Of Hard Hats (continued)
Type 3—Bushfire fighting As the name implies, this
helmet is intended to be worn by people involved in
bushfire fighting. It meets the requirements of the
basic,
Type 1, helmet as well as requirements for retro
reflective marking and flammability.
NOTE: Different optional or additional design and
performance requirements are specified in AS/NZS
1801. They may be specifically requested by a user,
e.g. a Type 1 helmet intended to be worn by people
engaged in underground mining may have retro
reflective marking and use specific accessories.
Type of accessories A wide range of accessories can be
fitted to helmets to make them more suitable for
variable working conditions. Examples are as follows:
(a) A retaining strap worn either under the chin or at
the nape of the neck. The strap is usually of
elasticized tape attached by plastic fittings to the
helmet shell.
(b) A bracket and cable clip for the attachment of a
lamp*.
(c) An eye-shield, face-shield or welding shield.
(d) A wide brim for additional shade in hot climates.
(continued)
(e) Neck flaps* for protection against the sun and
adverse weather conditions, or for protection against
molten metal splash, hot substances and similar
hazards.
(f) A liner for cold conditions.
(g) Earmuffs.
(h) A sweatband for dusty conditions.
Prospective purchasers of helmets fitted with
such accessories should ensure that helmets
fitted with such accessories still comply with
AS/NZS 1801.
Stories On How Hard
Hats Saved Lives
One of the most basic adages of construction safety is
that hard hats save lives - but they only work when
they're worn. This means 100% of the time everywhere - no excuses. This adage was recently
proven out by an incident on a painting project in
Buffalo, New York. A worker was suiting up to begin
blasting in preparation for repainting on a nearby
bridge. He was not exposed to traffic and was not
under an overhead hazard. Nonetheless, he was
wearing his hard hat as required by the specs, and as
directed by accepted safety practice and by good
common sense.
Stories On How Hard
Hats Saved Lives (continued)
Adherence to this simple rule probably saved the
worker's life. Suddenly, without warning, a steel hatch
blew off the top of the pressure blasting equipment
which was several feet away from the worker. The 100 lb
steel hatch flew several feet through the air and struck
the worker squarely on the top of the head. The force of
the blow knocked him to the ground, and as might be
expected, he was dazed by the impact. He was
transported to a nearby hospital as a precaution, but he
was found to have no significant injuries, and was
released without even being kept overnight. He is
expected to be back on the job before the end of the
week.
Stories On How Hard
Hats Saved Lives (continued)
The lesson learned is very simple - HARD HATS SAVE
LIVES! In this case, eyewitnesses emphatically report
that the hard hat saved this worker from very serious
and probably fatal injuries. The scars on the hard hat
bear them out. However, hard hats can do their job
only if they are worn all the time. Even in locations
where the risk of head injuries is not apparent,
unexpected incidents such as this equipment failure
can occur with no warning. A hard hat laying on the
front seat of a vehicle, or sitting on the ground, or
even held in your hand, cannot provide any protection.
Hard hats are a basic tool for the construction trade,
and they must be worn all the time - everywhere everyone! Your life depends on it!
Quiz
Question 1
When are hard hats required to be worn?
a) all the time
b) whenever the boss is looking
c) when there is an overhead hazard
d) when operating a backhoe
Quiz
Question 2
How often should hard hats be replaced?
a) after a major impact
b) when they look bad
c) every three years
d) when you go to a new construction job