A hard hat is a type of hamlet that is worn to prevent the head from injury on account of falling objects, debris, electric shocks, and weather-related elements. Hard hats normally used in the workplace environment such as construction sites to protect against collisions, cuts, and brain injuries (a leading cause of death). It’s a piece of personal protective equipment that allows workers to work in saving lives in the work environment. It’s not only working for the head but also can protect your neck and eyes.
However, when you required to wear a hard hat? According to OSHA guidelines, all affected employees or workers have to wear protective hamlets in working areas where there is a possibility of head injury from falling objects, and where there is an electrical hazard are present. The guidelines also address that the workers who perform their works close to un-protected electrical conductors should wear engineered hard hats to protect them from any electrical shocks. Therefore, where you can get the best hard hats?
Hard hats come in a variety of types that made to meet the ANSI standard of hard hats. An ANSI certification identifies the hard hat’s type and what hazards it is made to protect against. Type I helmets give top protection or security, type II helmets also give safety from side impacts, and class E helmets provide safety from electricity. Always read this label to make sure your hard hats provide appropriate protection. Now you can frequently ask how long hard hats are good for or how long it will last? Also, want to know when it will require replacing and how to take care of the hard hat? No worry, you will get all answers by reading this article.
How Long are Hard Hats Good For?
As the hard hat is a useful protective apparatus among workers considering the reality that it plays a vital role to protect the head, you need to think better how long are hard hats good for and how long it will be effective for use? To meet the standard of ANSI and OSHA, each hard hat should be well designed and their materials of construction should be long-lasting. Unfortunately, anything like hard hats does not last forever. But you can try to keep it good for use as long as possible.
Normally hard hats durability depends on the condition of the worksite or work environments and its uses of hard hats. It is essential for every worker to review every site to make sure hard hats are not having accelerated on account of work conditions. All relative components, shells, headbands, tackle, and accessories should be visibly inspected at least a week if any type of dents, cracks, damage, and unauthorized alterations are available. These types of damage decrease the degree of security that is originally provided.
Keep in mind, Extreme temperature, Sunlight heat, chemical exposure, and daily use will play an important rule to determine the need to replace the hard hat. The daily inspection will be the best way to determine when your hard hats should replace or how long hard hats are good for. Most Manufacturers recommend that hard hats should replace every 5 years but if you work under extreme conditions (Sunlight, excessive heat, etc.), you should replace your hard hats after two years of use. Also, some manufactures suggest that suspension should be replaced every 12 months and shell should replace every 2 to 5 years.
When Do Hard Hats Should Be Replaced?
Hard hats replacement is based on service life, not on the manufacturer date. But if the hard hat is not effective for use, it cannot provide the appropriate protection means your hard hats need replacement. There are a number of things that indicate your hard hats need replacement including
- Expiration date over.
- Any dents.
- Any scratches and cracks.
- Painted and putrefy.
- Use of solvents.
- Taped together.
- Any dazzled.
- Give excessive heat and excessive cold exposure.
Apart from replacing your hard hat shell, most manufacturers suggest that replace the suspension every 12 months. If you keep your hard hat in your car or other substances, then replace your hard hat every two years or more depending on the condition. As you have one head so you should protect yourself by using perfect hard hat.
How To Maintain A Hard Hat For Better Use?
If you are wondering about your hard hats safety then follow the tips carefully to take care of your hard hats.
- Follow the manufacturer’s instructions about proper care and maintenance, including which cleaning products should be used, and that has no damaging effect.
- You should clean your hat regularly with soap, and warm water, and place it to air dry
- Daily inspection is essential to check the crack, hole, tears, and any particular defect or damage.
- Store your hard hat in a safe place where it can’t damage and get excessive heat.
- Do not wear or carry anything within your hard hat, it can weaken the shell of the hats.
- Keep your hat from unauthorized modification.
- Avoid paints and do not drill the holes in the shell.
Who Should Wear Hard Hat?
- Electricians
- Carpenters
- Lineman
- Mechanics and repairers
- Plumbers and pipefitters
- Packers
- Laborers
- Assemblers
- Sawyers
- Wrappers
- Welders
- Warehouse laborers
- Freight handlers
- Timber cutting and logging
- Stock handlers
Conclusion
Therefore, how long are hard hats good for, it totally depends on the wearer’s uses of the hard hat that how long it will be effective for use. Follow the manufacturer’s suggestion properly to replace and maintain it accurately to keep it in good condition for better use. In this way, you can protect your head from severe injury. Therefore, this is all about how long hard hats are good for? Thanks.