SAFETY - AGC

1 AGC 5 STAR SERVICESAFETYBy Rich Howell,Basic Resources for Wearing a Hard Hat1) Hard hats protect the head of our most valuable ) Hard hats protect the employees if they bump their heads against fixed objects and ) Hard hats will protect employees if heavy equipment bumps into ) Hard hats protect employees from falling ) A properly worn hard had will protect the employees head in case of a ) If a powered industrial truck rolls over, an employee with a hard haton has a better chance of ) Employees are working in and around traffic, which is ) Hard hats make employees more visible at day and ) A properly worn hard hat gives employees more ventilation than abaseball cap and a hard hat s reflective property makes it cooler thanwearing a baseball ) Wide brim hard hats provide more sun protection for ) More and more clients/projects are requiring contractors to wear hard hats on their ) The difference in the image that is portrayed between a work crewwearing hard hats and a crew that is not is Cal/OSHA Title 8, Section 3381, hard hats are a requirement; Employees working in locations where there is a risk of receiving headinjuries from flying or falling objects and/or electric shock and burnsshall wear approved head protection.

2 In general, protective helmets or hard hats should do the following:Resist penetration by the shock of a water-resistant and slow clear instructions explaining proper adjustment andreplacement of the suspension and hats must have a hard outer shell and a shock-absorbing lining thatincorporates a headband and straps that suspend the shell from 1 to 11/4 inches ( cm to cm) away from the head. This type ofdesign provides shock absorption during an impact and ventilationduring normal wear. Protective headgear must meet ANSI (Protective Headgear for Industrial Workers) or provide anequivalent levelThe ImThe ImThe ImThe ImThe Imporporporporportttttanceanceanceancean ceof Hard Hatsof Hard Hatsof Hard Hatsof Hard Hatsof Hard HatsContinuedSB 08-6 - 2 -thinners and some cleaning agents can weaken the shellsof hard hats and may eliminate electrical drill holes, paint or apply labels to protectiveheadgear as this may reduce the integrity of the protec-tion.

3 Do not store protective headgear in direct sunlight,such as on the rear window shelf of a car, since sunlightand extreme heat can damage hats with any of the following defects should beremoved from service and replaced:Perforation, cracking, or deformity of the brimor shell;Indication of exposure of the brim or shell toheat, chemicals or ultraviolet light and otherradiation (in addition to a loss of surface gloss,such signs include chalking or flaking).Always replace a hard hat if it sustains an impact, even ifdamage is not noticeable. Suspension systems are offeredas replacement parts and should be replaced whendamaged or when excessive wear is noticed. It is notnecessary to replace the entire hard hat when deteriora-tion or tears of the suspension systems are noticed.

4 Allhard hats must be replaced 5 years from date wear your hard keep your headin the game!protect employees properly, unless you have a writtenexception from the manufacturer. If you have themanufacturers written approval and choose to wear yourhard hat backwards, the webbing must be turned aroundso the ratchet is always at the back of the hard of Hard HatsHard hats are divided into three industrial classes:Class A hard hats provide impact andpenetration resistance along with limitedvoltage protection (up to 2,200 volts).Class B hard hats provide the highest levelof protection against electrical hazards,with high-voltage shock and burn protection(up to 20,000 volts). They also provideprotection from impact and penetrationhazards by flying/falling C hard hats provide lightweightcomfort and impact protection but offer noprotection from electrical main styles are: ball cap, V-guard, wide brim, and fullbrim.

5 It is essential to check the type of hard hat em-ployees are using to ensure that the equipment providesappropriate protection. Each hat should bear a labelinside the shell that lists the manufacturer, the ANSI designation and the class of the and Care ConsiderationsHead protection that is either too large or too small isinappropriate for use, even if it meets all other require-ments. A proper fit should allow sufficient clearancebetween the shell and the suspension system for ventila-tion and distribution of an impact. The hat should notbind, slip, fall off or irritate the skin. Some protectiveheadgear allows for the use of various accessories to helpemployees deal with changing environmental conditions,such as slots for earmuffs, SAFETY glasses, face shields andmounted lights.

6 Optional brims may provide additionalprotection from the sun and some hats have channels thatguide rainwater away from the face. Protective headgearaccessories must not compromise the SAFETY elements ofthe cleaning and inspection will extend the useful lifeof protective headgear. A daily inspection of the hard hatshell, suspension system and other accessories for holes,cracks, tears or other damage that might compromise theprotective value of the hat is essential. Paints, paint