Skip to main content

The hard hat is one of the oldest, most widely used, and most important pieces of personal protective equipment (PPE) on the job. However, the hard hat is not able to do its job when it is not properly worn, maintained, and replaced when needed.

Here is an Example

Bob and his crew were putting a new roof on a house. During his lunch break, Bob was on the ground eating a sandwich when a falling hammer struck his hard hat. Although he experienced pain and discomfort, Bob did not require hospital admission.

  1. Could this incident have been avoided?
  2. Do you work at a job that requires you to wear a hard hat?
  3. Do you wear a hard hat?

Warnings and Precautions

  • Never fully modify the hard hat shell or suspension. This can drastically reduce the amount of protection provided.
  • Never drill holes in the hard hat shell for ventilation purposes.
  • Always wear your hardhat with the bill facing forward. Certification by ANSI does not cover hardhats worn backward.
  • Always avoid contact between the hard hat and electric wires.
  • Never use a hardhat suspension that is not intended for use with a particular shell, or one that is made by a different manufacturer.
  • Never carry or wear anything inside of your hard hat between the suspension and the shell. A clearance must be maintained between the hard hat shell and the wearers head for the protection system to work properly. A ball cap or other object may limit this clearance and shouldn’t be worn.
  • Only wear products, such as winter liners and sunshades that are designed specifically to work in conjunction with hard hats. Be sure to follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for use.

Midsouth Mechanical has been doing business for almost 30 years. We offer our industrial clients efficient and cost-effective fabrication, modification, and repair of industrial equipment. From preventive plant maintenance, designing, installing and aligning machines, our exceptional skill and craftsmanship set us apart from the competition. Our number one priority day to day is safety. To see our published weekly Toolbox Talks, follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter, or Facebook.