The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) guidelines for head protection are referenced in 29 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 1910.135 and 1926.100.

Occupational Hard Hats

29 CFR 1910.135(a)(1) states, “Each affected employee shall wear protective helmets when working in areas where there is a potential for injury to the head from falling objects.” The standard also covers conditions where electrical hazards are present. 1910.135(a)(2) states, “Protective helmets designed to reduce electrical shock hazard shall be worn by each such affected employee when near exposed electrical conductors which could contact the head.” “Affected Employees” are defined by OSHA as “those employees who are exposed to the hazard(s) identified as violation(s) in a citation.” This definition has been added to clarify that the term, as used in this regulation, applies specifically to those employees who are put at risk by the safety or health hazard cited by the OSHA Compliance Officer.

Although the OSHA standards themselves do not identify specific occupations or applications where a hard hat is required, appendix B to subpart I part 9 lists some examples. It states “Some examples of occupations for which head protection should be routinely considered are: carpenters, electricians, lineman, mechanics and repairers, plumbers and pipe fitters, assemblers, packers, wrappers, sawyers, welders, laborers, freight handlers, timber cutting and logging, stock handlers, and warehouse laborers.” The appendix also provides examples of general applications where hard hats should be worn.

Performance Criteria

The performance criteria for head protection is provided in the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) Z89.1 American National Standard for Industrial Head Protection. This Standard is incorporated in 29CFR 1910.35 and by reference in 29CFR 1910.6.

Which Consensus Standards are applicable to Hard Hat Regulations?

On September 9, 2009, OSHA issued an update to its personal protective equipment (PPE) standards. The final rule went into effect in October that year and revised the PPE sections of OSHA’s general industry, shipyard employment, longshoring, and marine terminals standards regarding requirements for eye- and face-protective devices, head protection and foot protection.

The revision updated the references in these regulations to recognize the more recent editions of the applicable national consensus standards (ANSI/ISEA 789.1). It allows employers to use PPE constructed in accordance with any of three national consensus standards, the two most recent and the incorporated reference in the current standards (OSHA 1910.135).

ANSI Z89.1-1997

ANSI Z89.1-1997 separates protective hard hats into different types and classes.

“Type” is used to designate whether a hard hat provides protection strictly from blows to the top of the head (Type I) or protection from blows to both the top and sides of the head (Type II).

Under Z89.1-1997, the following three classes are recognized:

• Class G (general) helmets: Class G helmets are proof tested at 2,200 volts
• Class E (electrical) helmets: Class E helmets are proof tested at 20,000 volts
• Class C (conductive) helmets: This class provides no electrical insulation.

According to the ANSI/ISEA standard, hard hats must also contain user information such as Instructions pertaining to sizing, care and service life guidelines must also accompany the hard hat.

Every hard hat conforming to the requirements of ANSI Z89.1-1997 must be appropriately marked to verify its compliance. The following information must be marked inside the hard hat:

• The manufacturer’s name or identifying mark
• Date of Manufacture
• The legend, “ANSI Z89.1″
• The Type and Class Designation

ANSI Z89.1-2003

ANSI published a revision to the Z89.1-1997 standard in 2003. The most significant changes from the 1997 version were made to harmonize with other national standards that test and evaluate equipment performance. In addition, many physical hard hat requirements that do not provide added user value, or that limited design or performance, were removed.

ANSI Z89.1-2009

ANSI published a revision in January of 2009. The significant changes from the 2003 version include three non-mandatory tests.

The three optional hard hat test criteria are:
Reverse donning: Hard hats marked with a “reverse donning arrow” can be worn frontward or backward in accordance with the manufacturer’s wearing instructions. They pass all hard hat testing requirements, whether worn frontward or backward.

Lower temperature: Hard hats marked with an “LT” indicate that the hard hat meets all testing requirements of the standard when preconditioned at a temperature of -30°C (-22°F).

High visibility: Hard hats marked with an “HV” indicate that the hard hat meets all testing requirements of the standard for high visibility colors. This includes tests for chromaticity and luminescence.

Service Life

One common misconception is that hard hats have a predetermined service life – that is not the case. Both the 1986 and 1997 ANSI standards address service life under maintenance and care of the hard hat. The standards state that all hard hat components should be inspected daily for signs of dents, cracks, penetration and any damage due to impact, rough treatment or wear. Although it is not considered a “shelf life”, MSA brand hard hats do have “Useful Service Life Guidelines”. These guidelines suggest replacing the suspension every 12 months and the hard hat after 5 years of use. Any hard hat that fails the visual inspection should be removed from service until the problem is corrected.

In addition to everyday wear and tear, ultraviolet (UV) radiation can pose a problem for hard hats constructed of plastic materials. Damage caused by UV radiation is easy to spot: the hat will lose its glossy finish and eventually take on a chalky appearance. Further degradation could cause the shell to actually start flaking away. Once the effects of UV radiation are detected, the hard hat shell should be immediately replaced.

Commonly Asked Questions

Sources

OSHA 29 CFR 1910.135,
Occupational Head Protection Standard

1910 Subpart I App B,
Non-mandatory Compliance Guidelines for Hazard Assessment and Personal Protective Equipment Selection.

ANSI Z89.1-2009,
American National Standard for Personal Protection—Protective Headwear for Industrial Workers

ANSI Z89.1-2003,
American National Standard for Personal Protection—Protective Headwear for Industrial Workers

ANSI Z89.1-1997,
American National Standard for Personal Protection Protective Headwear for Industrial Workers

OSHA’s Standard Interpretations Letter dated April 17, 2006.

(Rev. 10/2012)

Please Note:

The information contained in this publication is intended for general information purposes only. This publication is not a substitute for review of the applicable government regulations and standards, and should not be construed as legal advice or opinion. Readers with specific questions should refer to the cited regulation or consult with an attorney.

Full Brim Protective Hard Hat

Hard hats have a wide ringe of price points. You can find one at a big box retailer for under $10.00.  You can also purchase specialty helmets for more than $100.  Does a $10.00 hard hat protect as well as the $100 hat?  Conventional wisdom says, “you get what you pay for.” What does a  cheap helmet protect you from?  

This helmet for sale at Lowes  meets ANSI Z89.1, Class C, E and G requirements.  Here is an expensive helmet on Amazon which features heavy duty construction for steel mills and heavy industries with elevated temperatures – Meets requirements for a Type I top impact helmet. If you are working out of doors in reasonable temperatures with low risk of top impacts, the inexpensive hat might be adequate.  If you work in an environment which moves heavy objects overhead frequently or has high temperatures, the extra money is worth the added protection. 

All hard hats are classified according to specific requirements. These are the impact and/or electrical performance requirements they meet. This classification is  referred to as the ANSI Z89.1 standard. All hard hats that meet or exceed either Type I or Type II impact requirements are in accordance with the ANSI Z89.1 requirement.  In addition to type classifications, hard hats are further classified as meeting Class G, Class E, or Class C electrical requirements.

Hard Hat Impact Types

Type I Hard Hats

Type I hard hats are intended to reduce the force of impact resulting for a blow only to the top of the head. All hard hats, except bump caps, listed on the Cooper Safety website are Type I (top impact) hard hats.

Type II Hard Hats

Type II hard hats are intended to reduce the force of impact resulting from a blow which may be received off center or to the top of the head. A Type II hard hat typically is lined on the inside with thick high density foam.

Electrical Classes

Class G (General)

Class G hard hats are intended to reduce the danger of contact exposure to low voltage conductors. Test samples are proof tested at 2200 volts (phase to ground). However, this voltage is not intended as an indication of the voltage at which the hard hat protects the wearer. Please note: Class G hard hats were formerly known as Class A.

Class E (Electrical)

Class E hard hats are intended to reduce the danger of exposure to high voltage conductors. Test samples are proof-tested at 20,000 volts (phase to ground). However, this voltage is not intended as an indication of the voltage at which the helmet protects the wearer. Please note: Class E hard hats were formerly known as Class B.

Class C (Conductive)

Class C hard hats are not intended to provide protection against contact with electrical conductors.

The answer to our question is you should purchase a hard hat that meets the needs of your working environment, regardless of cost. Don’t let a few dollars prevent you from protecting your head with the correct hard hat!

Here is a twist for you!  A cardboard reinforced bike helmet that has gained the attention of Formula 1 racing teams. Click the link to read more about this really cool technology.  http://www.gizmag.com/cardboard-helmet/25380/

This ia a cardboard reinforced bike helmet.

2013 SBA-Visa Export Video Contest

This is really a great opportunity for an exporting business to win some cash!  Click on the 2013 SBA-Visa Screenshot to go to the contest page.

The U.S. Small Business Administration and Visa U.S.A. are cosponsoring a video contest that seeks to inform small businesses about the advantages of exporting and increase awareness of government assistance available to support small business exporters.  We are looking for creative videos from small businesses that show how they became successful exporters. Videos must highlight the small business’ best accounting practices that help ensure prompt payments from customers and at least one of the following: important lessons learned; factors that influenced the decision to become an exporter; advice for small businesses considering exporting; or a favorite exporting story.

Hat Grabber Inc is live with a brand new website designed to give our clients relevant information and tools to assist in deciding whether or not our product is right for them.  With this approach the site is laid our more efficiently  with easy to read and search statistics and OSHA Regs.   We have added downloadable .PDF brochures to view, save and/or print.  You can access it HERE

Hat Grabber Downloadable Brochure

The Hat Grabber is being exhibited this week at the WOC 2013. The response has been very good. There are many other great safety products here as well. We discovered a safety training company from Beaverton OR, Overton Safety headed up by Ron Overton.

OVERTON Safety Training has been providing professional training services and materials that exceed customers’ expectations since 1991. They conduct open-enrollment classes in the western United States, and with prior arrangements, they can present any of their classes at your site worldwide.

They specialize in qualifying Crane Operators, Aerial/Scissor Lift, Forklift, and Rigging Professionals. If you are in the northwest, look them up and discover how they can assist your safety training program.

Check out this opinion of the WOC 2013 from John Deere

Protect your brain from traumatic injury.

A review of the Hat Grabber Head Protection Gear was written and submitted to another site which reviews cool tools. Check out the review by clicking HERE.

We have released a new video on the Hat Grabbers YouTube channel. We wanted to be able to reach the Hispanic market workers  in their own words. A local contractor who uses the Hat Grabber volunteered to get on camera. He gave a testimonial and “how to” in his own words. Check it out today!

Daily safety meetings, Safety Officers, Safety programs, OSHA Inspectors, what is the real benefit?  Have you ever felt like you were on safety overload at a job site?  With so many rules and regulations to follow, safety has become a task all to itself.  Who does all of this really protect? The employer’s interest, or the employee?

Isabel Perry, who owns The Safety Doctor, recently articulated this opinion in an article for the Orlando Sentinel.

“Beyond their legal responsibility to comply with Occupational Safety & Health Administration requirements, and their social obligation to protect their employees, owners who don’t have good safety programs in place lose money. When employers make the connection between accidents and insurance costs, a light bulb goes on. Fewer accidents equals lower insurance costs. Business schools teach a lot of classes in finance and economics, but rarely do business students get a course in workplace safety. Yet, it has a dramatic effect on the bottom line.”

Safety in the workplace has a dramatic effect on employees and owners. One serious accident could jeopardize an entire families earning power. As well the resulting  legal and insurance costs could cripple a small business owner. Using all the appropriate available safety equipment coupled with the correct safety program, benefits everyone.

Let’s calculate the cost of not using safety equipment. In this scenario 100 employees are required to wear hard hats. Most of them do, most of the time, but it’s not strictly enforced. Because they are difficult to keep on, some workers choose to leave them off.  If a $10 hard hat accessory can increase their stability and comfort, causing 100% compliance, is it a wise investment to make a $1000 purchase? At a minimum should the employees be made aware they have  PPE options?

If one worker sustains a serious head injury because they were not wearing proper head protection, the costs are staggering.   “Acute rehabilitation costs for survivors of a severe TBI have been shown to average $110,891 per person, or about $1,000 per day. The average length of stay for these severely injured persons in acute rehab is about 55 days.”  Brain Injury Statistics

100 employees earning $10 per hour, working 40 hours per week generate a $40,000 weekly payroll. Workers comp insurance premiums are determined by a rate per $100 of payroll. Recent median rates of $2.04 have been common. In this scenario, the workers comp premium would be approximately $816 per week. Suppose this employers cost rose 10% per anum as a result. The direct our of pocket expense could exceed $4,000. Earning an 8% net margin, means this employer would need to generate an additional $50,000 in sales to accommodate  this single direct cost.

This does not take into account legal expenses, retraining, lost production time, etc. How much financial loss will the injured worker sustain? If a $10 item has the potential to prevent a death or life altering injury, what reason is valid enough to say “We can’t afford to make that purchase?”  Hat Grabber Inc offers such a product. This blog post is not intended to be a sales pitch, but it is intended to make you think. Your safety is worth more than any dollar amount. Protect yourself no matter the cost.

Uncomfortable hard hats are less likely to be worn. Failing to wear head protection greatly increases the odds of accidental head injuries on a jobsite, driving up premiums.

By eliminating the two greatest reasons people don’t want to wear a hard hat, safety compliance rises dramatically. Product testimonials have come from several working environments such as underground mining, railroad, trucking, construction, shipping, oil rigs and industrial workers.

The question, can this accessory reduce workers comp insurance, should be asked by everyone responsible for the safety of personel wearing hard hats. Creating a safer working environment should result in decreased insurance premuims. The idea is simple and the benefits are substantial.