There are some practical reasons for wearing a hard hat. They help keep your head cooler in the summer; dry during rain; and help to shield your ears from noise. However, the main and most obvious reason for wearing a hard hat is to protect your head.
The Purpose of Hard Hats
Hard hats can protect your head in a few different ways:
Protects you from falling objects
Helps protect your head in a fall
Keeps your head safe if you bump into machinery, ductwork and the like
Non-conductive hats protect you from electrical shocks and burns
In addition to safety, hard hats are a fun place to put stickers and decals that showcase your skills and certifications.
Proper Care
In order to get the best protection out of a hard hat, you must take care of it and pay attention to signs of wear or damage. Below are some best practices.
Always keep your hard hat properly adjusted.
Do not cut, bend or heat the hard hat.
Frequently inspect your hat for deep gouges or cracks in the shell. If you see signs of wear or the color of the hard hat turns dull, it’s time for a new one.
Proper Wear
Having a hard hat will not protect you unless you wear it correctly. Follow the guidelines below.
Never wear your hat backward.
Do not put anything inside your hard hat other than your head. It is not a storage bin.
Do not try to substitute it for a “bump cap”. The bump cap will not provide adequate protection from falling objects as it is not strong enough.
It is not a stool or step; doing so weakens the shell of the hard hat.
You can’t protect your head without the proper wear and care of a hard hat.