For some reason, many workers seem to show most resistance to some of the measures that can offer them the most protection. Safety helmets are a prime example.

It’s your job, of course, to provide and make sure workers do wear whatever personal protective equipment is required for their jobs, but that’s not always easy. It will be easier once the workers thoroughly understand the importance of protection, meaning the potentially dire consequences of failing to comply.

Pointing up the dangers
When you undertake the training of employees in the need for head protection, it’s probably smart to begin with examples of accidents and injuries that have happened or could happen.

You may have examples from your own operation, or you may have to rely on news reports or incidents you know about through colleagues in your industry. You might point out that a 1-pound plumb bob falling 10 feet would almost certainly penetrate an unprotected skull and ask trainees to consider what would happen if an 8-pound iron object were accidentally dropped from 5 feet above. It would arrive with an 850-pound impact. 

Since flying sparks and drops of solvents or acids can also be a potential hazard, ask how many of them believe they have fireproof hair or scalps which would be able to resist chemical burns. This sounds rather grim, but each of these accidents is a grim possibility, and workers need to recognize this. According to national statistics, hundreds of thousands of head injuries occur every year.

The helmet itself
There are basically two types of safety helmet used in industry, with a few variations for special purposes. The hard hat designed to give maximum protection, particularly from falling objects, has a full brim extending all the way around.

Workers assigned to a job in cramped quarters may also use a “bump cap,” with a smaller brim. Some hats contain phosphorescent pigments which are particularly useful for night work, or road work in which traffic hazards are present. The fact that the hats come in different colors is a way of identifying different crafts and supervisory personnel, which can be helpful.

A protective hat has two basic parts – the shell and the suspension system. The shell is generally made of thermoplastics, glass fiber and resin, or special aluminum alloys. The webbed suspension system provides a shock-absorbing space between the shell and the wearer’s head. It also permits air circulation and maintains the proper degree of both protection and comfort.

It’s important for workers to check their fit every day – especially if their hair has grown much longer than usual or been cut much shorter than usual. If the fit is too loose, less protection from a blow to the head is provided. Also, if the webs are too tight, a shock will not be properly absorbed and the head and neck will suffer from the impact.

Caring for the hat
Both parts of a helmet need proper care so that they can do their protective jobs. Cleaning both with a sponge or soft brush dipped in mild detergent and warm water can help maintain the life of a hat. Stains such as oil or tar should be removed following manufacturers’ instructions.

When rinsing a hat, look carefully for scratches, cracks, dents or gouges, all of which can weaken its structure and may signal that the hat needs to be replaced. Similarly, a replacement may be needed if a hat has become brittle due to long exposure to extreme heat, cold or chemicals. Likewise, the webbing and buckles of the suspension system should be checked for damage. Under normal wear, these systems should be replaced at least once a year.

Extra motivation
Once you have explained to your workers how important it is for their own safety to wear and care for their hard hats, there’s one other thing you can do to drive the lesson home, which is for you and the other supervisors to set an example by always wearing protective hats in any hard hat zone.

TrainingOnline is a full-service learning content provider that specializes in Web-based training courses for the environmental, health, safety and human resources markets. Visit its Web site at www.trainingonline.com. 

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