How long does a hard hat last? This question is a puzzling one and depends on where you
work. Hard hats are likely the most
recognizable piece of personal protection equipment (PPE) used in construction,
industrial, and commercial workplaces. Next
to safety glasses, a hard hat is one of the most important pieces of PPE
because it protects your head and brain.
Generally, hard hats are worn when overhead hazards exist or have the
potential to exist.
Most of the time, hard hats are constructed of a durable,
yet flexible polycarbonate shell.
Within the shell, a suspension system is installed which acts as the
shock absorber of the hard hat if an object strikes it. Without the suspension system, the blow
would transfer through the shell to the wearer’s head.
Proper
fit is critical in providing protection to the wearer; thus, the suspension
system has a mechanism that adjusts the size of the headband strap to fit a
variety of head sizes. Both the shell
and the suspension system are designed to withstand only
one forcible blow of any magnitude. Dropping a hard hat from over 20 feet to the
ground has the same force as a forcible blow.
Even if the hard hat is not exposed to a forcible blow, over
time the hat will slowly lose its durability and will not provide the
protection intended. OSHA does not
specify a life span of hard hats. Most manufacturers
recommend that hard hats be
replaced
every five years and the suspension system every year under normal use. The life span is measured from the time the
hard hat is put into service, not the manufactured date, provided they are
stored properly. (Check the manufacturer’s
warranty for further information on whether storage time is considered.) Per ANSI Z89.1-2003, the date of manufacture
of the hard hat must be marked and can be found on the underside of the
brim. Typically there is a stamped dial
with a year of manufacture printed in the middle. On the dial, an arrow points to the month it was manufactured. If hats are stored and/or worn in sunlight,
temperature extremes, or in areas where chemicals may contact them, they should
be replaced every two years.
Regardless of use, the hard hat should be part of the daily
PPE safety inspection; too many times they are not. Both the suspension system and the shell should be inspected
before each use. Suspension systems
should be inspected for missing parts, torn or frayed straps, torn or broken
headband including the size adjustment slots, or other signs of wear. Shells should be inspected for dents,
cracks, any discoloration, or scratches that are greater than 25% of the
shell’s thickness. Degradation of the
hat from weather conditions may be apparent if the hat is stiff or
brittle. To test the degradation of a
hard hat, a simple field test can be done.
Field Test: Hold
the shell of the hard hat by the sides and compress inward about one inch with
both hands and then release the pressure without dropping the hard hat. If the hat does not crack or make cracking
noises
and returns to its original shape, the hat still maintains its
proper protection. Performing this test
on a brand new hard hat may be useful to verify that the original shape was
maintained. If it does not pass this
test and inspection, the hard hat should be replaced immediately.
Maintaining your hard hat is critical and will increase the
life span of it. When it is dirty, it
should be washed with warm water and mild soap. Hats should be stored in a dry location out of the sunlight and
extreme temperatures. Be sure to read
all manufacturer recommendations for additional information about your hard
hat.
So, how long does a hard hat last? It depends, but following these guidelines will help the user
maintain and replace this important PPE more effectively.
Additional note from MSA blog:
In response to several emails we have recently received regarding
MSA V-Gard Protective Helmets, we want to pass
on the following information: MSA has not issued a recall of V-Gard
helmets, and all V-Gard helmets manufactured in March of 2008 are not to be
removed from service. It seems there has been a wide range of
misinformation circulated via the Internet.
Here are the results of an investigation done by MSA:
- Cracking in V-Gard hardhats
in question is limited to blue and red helmets that were manufactured in
the U.S., and are estimated to represent less than one one-hundredth of a
percent of MSA’s U.S. V-Gard helmet production over the past 5 years.
- The cause of this has been
traced to a variation of copper pigment content, which is a component in
blue and red colorants, and minor process variations. In mid-2008,
MSA changed to a different colorant and improved the process
variation. They have not received a single report of any cracked
helmets, of any color, since these improvements were put into place.
- Testing by MSA indicates that
a cap exhibiting this type of crack continues to meet the ANSI Z89.1-2003
and CSA Z94.1-2005 impact and penetration test requirements.
However, a crack of this type would prevent the cap from passing the
electrical resistance test.
We hope that this will clear up any questions regarding the rumors in
question, and that you will continue to inspect all safety equipment on a daily
basis, including hardhats.
Source: MSA
http://www.blog4safety.com/2009/10/msa-v-gard-hats-putting-the-rumors-to-rest/
