Personal protective equipment (PPE) at the highway or DPW garage has always included a quintessential item: hard hats. OSHA recently updated its guidelines to require an improved safety helmet. Safety helmets must be worn when there is any overhead obstruction, the potential to be struck by a falling object at work sites, or electrical hazards with accidental head contact. Review the following information on your safety helmet equipment and procedures:
- Why did OSHA switch to safety helmets?
- Safety helmets include various functions beyond the typical construction-setting use, they provide added side-impact protections, include chinstraps for improved securement, fit to protect the wearer during rotational motion, and have improved venting for removing trapped heat.
- Do they meet current standards?
- Safety helmets undergo rigorous testing requirements, ensuring they are of the highest quality to prevent head impact injuries. Current OSHA compliance calls for hard hats to meet ANSI Z89.1-2009 head protection standards.
- What are the types of head protection?
- Head protection is classified into two impact types with three electrical classes:
- Type I: protection from blows to the top of the head
- Type II: protection from blows to the top and side of the head
- Class G: General, designed to reduce exposure to low-voltage conductors
- Class E: Electrical, designed to reduce exposure to high voltage conductors
- Class C: Conductive, not intended to protect against contact with electrical hazards.
- Head protection is classified into two impact types with three electrical classes:
- How long can you keep helmets?
- It depends on the type and manufacturer, but in general, it is recommended that head protection devices be updated every five years.
- When should we inspect helmets?
- Before every use, the wearer should take a few minutes to inspect their head protection for damage, cracks, dings, worn straps, missing insulation or padding, and torn straps. Also, test the helmet by squeezing it with both hands and applying force. If you hear squeaking or unusual sounds, replace the unit.
- Are helmets interchangeable between employees?
- There are a few reasons why you should issue safety helmets to specific personnel and not share them. First, sharing PPE can create hygiene issues and require more frequent cleaning and disinfection. Second, it can be especially dangerous if one person doesn’t report damage. Lastly, helmets are generally adjustable, so when shared for occasional work, each user must understand how to adjust the straps and bands for a proper fit.
- How does a safety helmet properly fit?
- Newer safety helmets have head-cushion bands that are often one-hand adjustable and chin straps. Chin straps are an important improvement, securing the head during rotational motion and slip-and-fall incidents. A good test to see if a helmet is adjusted properly is to bend at the waist to a 90-degree angle. The helmet is safe if it does not fall off.
OSHA recently published a bulletin on the differences between traditional hard hats and the new safety helmets, read it here. You can view the information on each hard hat including manufacturer, ANSI standard, type, class, size, and date of manufacture on the inside. Remember that head protection is vital for overhead, falling, and electrical head-contact hazards. Be sure to issue all applicable staff adequate head protection and emphasize that they wear it! Contact Robert Blaisdell, Director of Loss Control, for additional information at rblaisdell@wrightinsurance.com.