Protective equipment, including personal protective equipment for eyes, face, head and extremities, protective clothing, respiratory devices, and protective shield and barriers, shall be provided, used, and maintained in a sanitary and reliable condition wherever it is necessary by reason of hazards of processes or environment, chemical hazards, radiological hazards, or mechanical irritants encountered in a manner capable of causing injury or impairment in the function of any part of the body through absorption, inhalation or physical contact.

OSHA Regulation CFR29 1910.132 (a)

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.  The Bureau of Labor statistics notes that most accidents and injuries involving the head were because they were not wearing head protection.

Types & Classes of Hard Hats

• TYPE I - The typical hard hat - provides top of head protection from impact and penetration.
• TYPE II - Helmets provide some degree of top of head and off-center protection.
• CLASS E (Formerly Class B): Electrical (utility service, non-conducting) intended to protect against falling objects plus reduce the danger of exposure to high voltage electrical shocks and burns. Class E Hard Hats are tested for force transmission first, then tested at 20,000 volts for 3 minutes, with 9 milliamps maximum current leakage; then tested at 30,000 volts, with no burn through permitted. This Class is used extensively by employees engaged in electrical work.
• CLASS G (Formerly Class A.): General Use (limited voltage - non-conducting) intended to protect against falling objects plus reduce the danger of exposure to low voltage electrical conductors. Class G Hard Hats are tested at 2,200 volts for 1 minute, with 3 milliamps maximum leakage. This Class is widely used in mining, construction, shipbuilding, tunneling, lumbering, and manufacturing.
• CLASS C (No Class Change): Special service (no voltage protection) hard hats are designed for lightweight comfort and impact protection and not intended to provide protection from electrical conductors. Class C Hard Hats are not tested for electrical resistance. Class C Hard Hats are used in certain construction and manufacturing occupations, oil fields, refineries, and chemical plants where there is no danger from electrical hazards or corrosion and on occasion where there is a possibility of bumping the head against a fixed object.

Hughes Custom First Aid and Safety can provide you with any information or questions pertaining to head protection. For any questions or information about our products please call us at (314)291-6500 or email us at bhughes@hughescustomat.com.  We would be happy to assist you with any of your first aid or safety needs.