Should you be wearing a hard hat in your workplace? If falling objects, even small particles, are a regular sight in your work area or if an electrical hazard is near your space, head protection is a must.
When you go to purchase head protection, however, several different types are sold.
Materials typically include high-density polyethylene and aluminum, and the hats themselves range from bump caps to full-brim.
The potential hazards of your work environment determine the best hard hat for you.
OSHA regulation 29 CFR Part 1910 specifies that an employer sees that workers have appropriate head protection in areas with falling objects or electrical hazards.
All hard hats provide varying forms of head protection for falling objects, but two classifications are assigned.
A Type I hat offers top protection, while Type II provides lateral impact protection and energy attenuation.
The degree of energy attenuation also varies.
A hat graded Class E has the highest level of energy protection.
Class E hats are tested with 20,000 volts.
Class G is the next level down, and these offer a small amount - 2,200 volts - of electrical protection.
Class C hats, however, do not offer any type of electrical protection.
Most hard hats are made from high-density polyethylene and are classified by Types I and II, the former of which is more common.
In addition to a type, the hat will be classified by Class E, G, or C for electrical protection.
Using these features, you can find the right form of head protection for your job.
Aside from high-density polyethylene, other types of hard hats are available.
Aluminum, for example, is one material used, but if you are looking for electrical protection, aluminum hard hats are often Class C.
A full brim style is another type, and while high-density polyethylene and aluminum hats may have a full brim, this particular style does not offer additional protection from falling objects.
Rather, for outdoor workers, the brim provides additional shade.
When you go to purchase head protection, however, several different types are sold.
Materials typically include high-density polyethylene and aluminum, and the hats themselves range from bump caps to full-brim.
The potential hazards of your work environment determine the best hard hat for you.
OSHA regulation 29 CFR Part 1910 specifies that an employer sees that workers have appropriate head protection in areas with falling objects or electrical hazards.
All hard hats provide varying forms of head protection for falling objects, but two classifications are assigned.
A Type I hat offers top protection, while Type II provides lateral impact protection and energy attenuation.
The degree of energy attenuation also varies.
A hat graded Class E has the highest level of energy protection.
Class E hats are tested with 20,000 volts.
Class G is the next level down, and these offer a small amount - 2,200 volts - of electrical protection.
Class C hats, however, do not offer any type of electrical protection.
Most hard hats are made from high-density polyethylene and are classified by Types I and II, the former of which is more common.
In addition to a type, the hat will be classified by Class E, G, or C for electrical protection.
Using these features, you can find the right form of head protection for your job.
Aside from high-density polyethylene, other types of hard hats are available.
Aluminum, for example, is one material used, but if you are looking for electrical protection, aluminum hard hats are often Class C.
A full brim style is another type, and while high-density polyethylene and aluminum hats may have a full brim, this particular style does not offer additional protection from falling objects.
Rather, for outdoor workers, the brim provides additional shade.