subject: Hard Hats And Work Site Safety [print this page] We're all quite used to seeing hard hats worn on work sites. Perhaps you've worn one in your workplace, or when visiting a construction project. They're worn by everyone from welders to geologists. They are so common that we almost take them for granted, but it is important to appreciate how they can save your life.
The Occupational Health and Safety Administration requires hard hats for any workplace where there is potential for falling objects. So while it might not always be convenient to wear one on a work site, you should. As they say, "It's not just a good idea, it's the law"!
We think of their hard exterior as being their chief safety feature, but the physics is a little more complicated. If the exterior rested directly against the scalp, a falling object would still hurt quite a bit. Luckily, they are designed with a special webbing.
What actually protects you from serious injury is the gap between the hard shell and your head. The hat's webbing suspends it several centimeters from your head. If a heavy steel pipe bumps the head of someone at a safe work site, their protective hat will absorb the force and distribute it across the helmet's internal webbing. If the pipe were to strike them directly, all the force would land in a very small area and cause a concussion or fracture.
There is a similar piece of protective gear that lacks this protective webbing. At first glance, you might not notice a difference. These "bump caps" are fine for some applications where there is less risk of serious injury. While there's nothing wrong with using these other hats where appropriate, it is important to know the difference.
Bump caps are easy enough to recognize, but even among hard hats there are a number of different varieties with different characteristics. Class E helmets are able to insulate the wearer from no less than 20,000 volts of electricity. Type 1 helmets are certified to protect the wearer from impacts to the top of the head, and Type 2 also protect from blows that come in from the side.
Of course, worse than the wrong type would be none at all. Hard hats are widely used, and for good reason. Not only are they required in many jobs, but if you work anywhere that presents a danger of head injury, you'll want quality head protection.
