Hard hats, also called safety helmets, are crucial protective headwear and personal protective equipment (PPE) that protect users' heads from potential objects during construction and other work. They are ideal for various environments to safeguard your head against debris, object impacts, electric shocks, falling objects, and objects hitting your head tops, sides, or centre. The safety helmets are designed with chin straps/ratchets adjustments to keep your head firmly in place. Moreover, they are constructed from highly durable and robust materials and come in multiple types, colours, and classes with distinct protective functions. In addition, some models feature vented options to keep the users' heads cool during operation, like Petzl Helmets.
Materials for Making Hard Hats
Due to the nature of their applications, hard safety hats are typically manufactured from strong materials, such as HDPE (high-density polyethylene), PE, PC, PS, ABS, and PP, with helmet suspension bands for practical impact spreading over the head tops to prevent injuries.
When Should I Replace My Hard Hat?
The fundamental purpose of a typical hard hat is to protect the wearer's head from impact injuries caused by falling objects or debris. They are designed to absorb and distribute the force of impact, reducing the severity of head injuries. Most branded safety helmets have extended life spans; however, immediately replace the hard hat when damaged and change it periodically, even if it is not damaged.
Colour-Codes of Hard Hats
Hard hats are colour-coded to indicate the wearer's role or the type of work they are performing. For example, a white hard hat is used for managers or engineers, while a yellow or orange hard hat is suitable for general labourers, a Brown hard hat is ideal for welders, and a green hard hat could indicate safety personnel.
Different Types/Classes of Hard Hats:
There are various helmet classes that determine their electrical protection levels, including:
- Class C (Conductive) Hard Hats –These safety helmets are designed to protect against falling objects; however, they do not offer dielectric protection from electrical exposures.
- Class E (Electrical) Hard Hats – These class-type helmets protect from falling objects with up to 20,000 V electrical protection.
- Class G (General) Hard Hats – Like the class E types, class G helmets protect against falling objects; however, they provide electrical protection with exposure up to 2200 V.
Where to Use Hard Hats?
Hard hats are crucial headwear that safeguards users' heads and are suitable for almost everyone in any environment. They are typically used by professionals, such as electricians, plumbers, welders, and builders, in various facilities, including:
- Construction Areas
- Electrical Work
- Offshore Industries
- Manufacturing
- Oil & Gas Industry
- Mining
- Road Construction
- Search and Rescue Operations
- Welding
- Forestry
