Personal Protective Personal Protective EquipmentEquipment

Head ProtectionHead Protection

Hazard mitigationHazard mitigation

Head injuries are caused by:Head injuries are caused by:• falling or flying objectsfalling or flying objects• bumping your head against a fixed bumping your head against a fixed

objectobject• electrical shock and burnselectrical shock and burns

1a

Hazard mitigationHazard mitigation

Hard hats:Hard hats:• resist penetrationresist penetration• absorb the shock of a blowabsorb the shock of a blow• lessen injurylessen injury

1b

Types of head protectionTypes of head protection

Hard hats fall into two types and Hard hats fall into two types and three classesthree classes

Types include:Types include:• Type 1 - full brimType 1 - full brim• Type 2 - no brim, peak Type 2 - no brim, peak

extending forwardextending forward

2a

Types of head protectionTypes of head protection

Classes include:Classes include:• Class A - general service - limited Class A - general service - limited

voltage protection voltage protection • Class B - utility service – Class B - utility service –

high voltage protectionhigh voltage protection• Class C - special service Class C - special service

- no voltage protection- no voltage protection

2b

Types of head protectionTypes of head protection

Class A hats protect against impact Class A hats protect against impact hazards (and have limited voltage hazards (and have limited voltage protection)protection)• MiningMining• Building constructionBuilding construction• TunnelingTunneling• LumberingLumbering

2c

Types of head protectionTypes of head protection

Class B hats protect the head from:Class B hats protect the head from:• impactimpact• penetration from falling penetration from falling

and flying objectsand flying objects• shock and burnsshock and burns

– Mainly used in electrical Mainly used in electrical workwork

2d

Types of head protectionTypes of head protection

Class C hats are designed for Class C hats are designed for lightweight comfort and impact lightweight comfort and impact protectionprotection• Used where there is no Used where there is no

danger from electrical danger from electrical hazardshazards

2e

Proper care of hard hatsProper care of hard hats

Check hats daily for dents, cracks, Check hats daily for dents, cracks, or penetrationor penetration

Inspect the:Inspect the:• shellshell• suspensionsuspension• headbandheadband• sweatbandsweatband

3a

Proper care of hard hatsProper care of hard hats

Keep hats out of the rear-window Keep hats out of the rear-window shelf of carsshelf of cars

Clean the hats once a month in Clean the hats once a month in warm, soapy waterwarm, soapy water

Avoid getting paint on the hard hatAvoid getting paint on the hard hat

3b

Affected employeesAffected employees

Employees who are exposed to Employees who are exposed to hazards that require PPEhazards that require PPE• Construction workersConstruction workers• Tree trimmersTree trimmers• LoggersLoggers• Electrical utility workersElectrical utility workers• ShipbuildersShipbuilders• MinersMiners• Petroleum/chemical workersPetroleum/chemical workers

4a