HEAD
PROTECTION
Prevention
of head injuries is an important factor in every
safety program. A single injury can handicap
an employee for life, or it can be fatal. A
survey by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)
of accidents and injuries noted that most workers
who suffered impact injuries to the head were
not wearing head protection. The majority of
workers were injured while performing their
normal jobs at their regular worksites.
The
survey showed that in most instances where head
injuries occurred employers had not required
their employees to wear head protection. Of
those workers wearing hard hats, all but five
percent indicated that they were required by
their employers to wear them. It was found that
the vast majority of those who wore hard hats
all or most of the time at work believed that
hard hats were practical for their jobs. According
to the report, in almost half of the accidents
involving head injuries, employees knew of no
actions taken by employers to prevent such injuries
from recurring.
The
BLS survey noted that more than one-half of
the workers were struck on the head while they
were looking down and almost three-tenths were
looking straight ahead. While a third of the
unprotected workers were injured when bumping
into stationary objects, such actions injured
only one-eighth of hard hat wearers. Elimination
or control of a hazard leading to an accident
should, of course, be given first consideration,
but many accident-causing head injuries are
of a type difficult to anticipate and control.
Where these conditions exist, head protection
must be provided to eliminate injury.
Head
injuries are caused by falling or flying objects,
or by bumping the head against a fixed object.
Head protection, in the form of protective hats,
must do two things - resist penetration and
absorb the shock of a blow. This is accomplished
by making the shell of the hat of a material
hard enough to resist the blow, and by utilizing
a shock-absorbing lining composed of headband
and crown straps to keep the shell away from
the wearer's skull. Protective hats also are
used to protect against electrical shock.
The
standards recognized by OSHA for protective
hats purchased prior to July 5, 1994, are contained
in ANSI Requirements for Industrial Head
Protection, Z89.1-1969, and ANSI
Requirements for Industrial Protective Helmets
for Electrical Workers, Z89.2-1971. These
should be consulted for details. The standards
for protective hats purchased after July 5,
1994, are contained in ANSI Personal Protection
- Protective Headwear for Industrial Workers
- Requirements, Z89.1-1986. Later editions
of these standards are available and acceptable
for use.
Selection
Each
type and class of head protectors is intended
to provide protection against specific hazardous
conditions. An understanding of these conditions
will help in selecting the right hat for the
particular situation. Protective hats are made
in the following types and classes:
Type
1-helmets with full brim, not less that 1 and
1/4 inches wide; and
Type 2-brimless helmets with a peak extending
forward from the crown.
For
industrial purposes, three classes are recognized:
Class
A-General service, limited voltage protection;
Class B-Utility service, high-voltage helmets;
and
Class
C-Special service, no voltage protection.
For
firefighters, head protection must consist of
a protective head device with ear flaps and
a chin strap that meet the performance, construction,
and testing requirements stated in Title 29
CFR, 1910.156 (e)(5).
Hats
and caps under Class A are intended for protection
against impact hazards. They are made from insulating
material to protect against falling objects
and electric shock by voltages of up to 2,200
volts. They are used in mining, construction,
shipbuilding, tunneling, lumbering, and manufacturing.
Class
B utility service hats and caps are made from
insulating materials to protect the wearer's
head from impact and penetration by falling
or flying objects and from high-voltage shock
and burn of up to 20,000 volts. They are used
extensively by electrical workers.
The
safety hat or cap in Class C is designed specifically
for lightweight comfort and impact protection.
This class is usually manufactured from aluminum
and offers no dielectric protection. They are
designed to protect from falling objects, but
are not designed for use around live electrical
wires or where corrosive substances are present.
Class C helmets are used in certain construction
and manufacturing occupations, oil fields, refineries,
and chemical plants where there is no danger
from electrical hazards or corrosion. They also
are used on occasions where there is a possibility
of bumping the head against a fixed object.
Materials
used in helmets should be water-resistant and
slow burning. Each helmet consists essentially
of a shell and suspension. Ventilation is provided
by a space between the headband and the shell.
Each helmet should be accompanied by instructions
explaining the proper method of adjusting and
replacing the suspension and headband.
The
wearer should be able to identify the type of
helmet by looking inside the shell for the manufacturer,
ANSI designation and class. For example:
Manufacturer's
Name
ANSI Z89.1-1969 (or later year)
Class
A
Fit
Headbands
are adjustable in 1/8 size increments. When
the headband is adjusted to the right size,
it provides sufficient clearance between the
shell and the headband. The removable or replaceable
type sweatband should cover at least the forehead
portion of the headband. The shell should be
of one-piece seamless construction and designed
to resist the impact of a blow from falling
material. The internal cradle of the headband
and sweatband forms the suspension. Any part
that comes into contact with the wearer's head
must not be irritating to normal skin.
Inspection
and Maintenance
Manufacturers
should be consulted with regard to paint or
cleaning materials for their helmets because
some paints and thinners may damage the shell
and reduce protection by physically weakening
it or negating electrical resistance.
A
common method of cleaning shells is dipping
them in hot water (approximately 140F) containing
a good detergent for at least a minute. Shells
should then be scrubbed and rinsed in clear
hot water. After rinsing, the shell should be
carefully inspected for any signs of damage.
All
components, shells, suspensions, headbands,
sweatbands and any accessories should be visually
inspected daily for signs of dents, cracks,
penetration or any other damage that might reduce
the degree of safety originally provided. Helmets
should not be stored or carried on the rear-window
shelf of an automobile, since sunlight and extreme
heat may adversely affect the degree of protection.
Users
are cautioned that if unusual conditions occur
(such as higher or lower extreme temperatures
than described in the standards), or if there
are signs of abuse or mutilation of the helmet
or any component, the margin of safety may be
reduced. If damage is suspected, helmets should
be replaced or representative samples tested
in accordance with procedures contained in ANSI
Z89.1-1986. This booklet references national
consensus standards, for example, ANSI standards,
that were adopted into OSHA regulations. Employers
are encouraged to use up-to-date national consensus
standards that provide employee protection equal
to or greater than that provided by OSHA standards.
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