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Considerations for Choosing Head Protection: OSHA Compliance, Hazard Assessments, and Technology Advancements
• Examine accessories and attachments.
• Check for proper fit.
• Refer to the manufacturer’s guidelines for recommended lifespan or guidance on when to take head protection out of service.
• Clean and dry head protection before storing.
• Maintain a record of each inspection, noting the date, any findings and actions taken.
Head Protection Innovations that Comply with the OSHA SHIB
Some of the recent innovations for hard hats and safety helmets can help address specific jobsite concerns and worker preferences. For example, hard hats featuring thermal barrier technology to redirect or block the sun’s rays can help reduce worker heat stress in sunny conditions by helping keep the inside of the hard hat cooler than those without this technology. This may be beneficial for workers at risk of seasonal heat stress in applications, such as road construction or working at height.
If TBIs resulting from contact with objects or equipment or slips, trips, and falls are a primary concern, consider additional layers of protection that are designed to help reduce rotational motion and the risk of traumatic brain injury from certain angled impacts. Rotational motion is one of the most common causes for traumatic brain injuries including concussions, the symptoms of which can range from low to high severity: headache, dizziness, memory loss and varying degrees of unconsciousness. This makes it especially important that workers continue to prioritize safe PPE usage. A hard hat or safety helmet with a layer designed to help reduce rotational motion works by allowing the helmet to move relative to the head at impact. This relative movement redirects energies and helps reduce the harmful rotational motion of the head.
Conducting a hazard assessment is an important first step in choosing the head protection solution that is right for your needs. Determining the unique risks and concerns associated with your specific job site and application can help identify whether Type I or Type II, Class G, C or E, or inclusion of additional accessories or technology features is right for your organization.
This article originally appeared in the September 2024 issue of Occupational Health & Safety.
About the Author
Dennis Capizzi has been with MSA for 15 years and is currently the Segment Marketing Manager for Protection Products. Within his career he has been responsible for respiratory, thermal imaging cameras, communications, head/eye/face/hearing, and fall protection equipment across both the industrial and first responder market.