Safety Helmets - PPE
Every year, in the construction industry, workers are killed and many others injured as a result of head injuries. If you wear a safety helmet your chances of being seriously hurt are greatly reduced. Wearing one could save your life.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is always the last line of defence. Wherever possible, other measures should first be taken to reduce or control the risk
When Should Safety Helmets be Worn?
Regulations require suitable head protection, normally safety helmets, to be provided and worn when there is a risk of injury. If you are in control of a site, e.g. as a principal contractor, you need to think about the risks of head injury. There may be risks from falling materials or from knocking into things such as low scaffolds. Unless there is no foreseeable risk of injury you must provide your employees with safety helmets and decide when, where, and how they should be worn. Safety helmets must be worn in designated "hard hat" areas.
Duties of Employees and the Self-Employed
Employees must wear their safety helmets properly and follow the instructions of their employer or, in other cases, the rules made by the person in control of the site. They should take care of their helmets and not misuse them. Any defects or problems should be reported promptly. If safety helmets are not provided on site, the self-employed must supply their own. They must wear them when there is a risk of head injury or when told to do so by someone in control. They also need to follow the rules made by the person in control of the site, and in addition, maintain and replace the safety helmet whenever necessary.
Selection of Suitable Safety Helmets
Helmets come in a variety of designs and it is important that the right type is provided for the work to be done. A properly fitting safety helmet should have the right shell size for the wearer and an easily adjustable headband, nape and chin strap. The range of size adjustments should be large enough to accommodate thermal liners used in cold weather. Safety helmets should be as comfortable as possible.
Comfort is improved by the following:
A flexible headband of adequate width and contoured both vertically and
horizontally to fit the forehead.
An absorbent sweatband that is easy to clean or replace.
Textile cradle straps.
Compatibility With the Work to be Done
Whenever possible, the safety helmet should not hinder the work being done. For example, an industrial safety helmet with little or no peak is useful for a surveyor taking measurements, or to allow unrestricted upward vision for a scaffold erector. Chin straps should be provided and used if a job involves work in windy conditions, especially at height, or repeated bending or constantly looking upwards.
Helmets should be compatible with any other PPE, e.g. ear defenders or eye protectors. The design should allow them to be worn comfortably and remain effective. Check manufacturer's instructions regarding the compatibility of safety helmets with other types of PPE. Don't attempt to modify existing helmets to take these fittings as this may weaken them.
Maintenance
Safety helmets must be maintained in good condition. They should:
- Be stored in a safe place, e.g. on a peg or in a cupboard on site
- Not be stored in direct sunlight or in excessively hot, humid conditions because long-term exposure can weaken the shell.
- Be checked regularly for signs of damage or deterioration.
- Have defective parts replaced (if the model allows this). Parts from one model cannot normally be interchanged with those from another.
- Have the sweatband cleaned regularly or replaced.
Before the safety helmet is issued to another person, it should be inspected to ensure it is serviceable and thoroughly cleaned in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions, e.g. using soap and water. The sweatband should always be cleaned or replaced.
Damage to the Shell
Damage to the shell of a helmet can occur when:
Objects fall onto it.
It strikes against a fixed object.
It is dropped or thrown.
Certain chemicals can weaken the plastic of the shell leading to rapid deterioration in shock absorption or penetration resistance. Chemicals which should be avoided include aggressive cleaning agents or solvent based adhesives and paints. Where names or other markings need to be applied using adhesives, advice should be sought from the helmet manufacturer.
Replacement
Normally, helmets should be replaced at intervals recommended by the manufacturer. They will also need replacing when the harness is damaged or if it is likely that the shock absorption or penetration resistance has deteriorated. For example, when the shell has received a severe impact, or if deep scratches occur (i.e. to a depth greater than 25% of the shell thickness) or if the shell has any visible cracks.
