Hard hats, also called safety helmets, are crucial protective headwear and personal protective equipment (PPE) that provide head protection from potential objects during construction works. They are ideal for various environments for protecting your head against debris, object impacts, electric shocks, falling objects, and objects hitting your head tops, sides, or center. The safety helmets are designed with chin straps/ratchets adjustments to keep your head firmly in place.
Moreover, due to the nature of their applications, they are constructed from highly durable and robust materials. Hard protective headwear hats come in a variety of 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:
Hard safety hats are 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?
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.
What Types of Hard Hat Classes Are There?
There are various helmet classes that determine their electrical protection levels, including:
- Class C (Conductive) Hard Hats –These 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.
Different Hard Hat Colours:
Hard hats come in various colours, including:
- White
- Yellow
- Brown
- Black
- Blue
- Green
- Orange
- Red, and
- Specific colour combinations.
The colours do not correlate with use; however, certain coloured helmets are specific for particular jobs. For instance, brown hard helmets are used by welders and workers working with equipment at high temperatures. Various labourers and earth-moving workers prefer yellow hard hats, whereas white hard hats are worn by supervisors, architects, and managers.
Where Are Hard Hats Used?
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 construction areas, offshore industries, and forestry.
