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<font face="Times New Roman, Times, serif"><big><b>The following
message is from H. Robertson, Engineering DSO:</b></big><br>
<br>
<br>
-<big> Due to a recent incident with a fractured safety helmet I
would like everyone to review the age and condition of their
PPE. - <br>
<br>
</big></font>The Occupational Safety and Health Administration
(OSHA) guidelines for head protection are referenced in 29 CFR <a
moz-do-not-send="true"
href="http://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_table=STANDARDS&p_id=9785">1910.135</a>
and <a moz-do-not-send="true"
href="http://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_table=STANDARDS&p_id=10663">1926.100</a>.<br>
Hard hats purchased after July 5, 1994, must comply with the
performance guidelines in the ANSI Z89.1-1986, american national
standard for personal protection—protective headwear for industrial
workers requirements. <br>
<br>
<h3>What is the current ANSI standard?</h3>
The current ANSI standard is ANSI Z89.1-2003.
<ul>
<ul>
<ul>
<li><b>Type I</b> – Protection from blows to top of head </li>
<li><b>Type II</b> – Protection from blows to top/sides of
head (required in Canada) </li>
<li><b>Class E</b> (Electrical) are tested to withstand 20,000
volts (was Class B) </li>
<li><b>Class G</b> (General) are tested to withstand 2,200
volts (was Class A) </li>
<li><b>Class C</b> (Conductive) provide no electrical
protection (was Class C) </li>
</ul>
</ul>
</ul>
<big><b>When should a hard hat be replaced?</b></big>
<ul>
<ul>
<li>Most manufacturers allow up to 5 years. </li>
</ul>
</ul>
MSA brand hard hats do have "Useful Service Life Guidelines". These
guidelines suggest replacing the suspension every 12 months and the
hard hat after 5 years of use. Any hard hat that fails the visual
inspection should be removed from service until the problem is
corrected.
<h3>What are some signs that your hard hat should be replaced?</h3>
<ul>
<ul>
<li>Cracks, nicks, dents or gouges to shell </li>
<li>Stiffness or brittleness </li>
<li>Fading, dull color or a chalky appearance </li>
<li>If exposed to high levels of sunlight, replace more
frequently </li>
</ul>
</ul>
In addition to everyday wear and tear, ultraviolet (UV) radiation
can pose a problem for hard hats constructed of plastic materials.
Damage caused by UV radiation is easy to spot: the hat will lose its
glossy finish and eventually take on a chalky appearance. Further
degradation could cause the shell to actually start flaking away.
Once the effects of UV radiation are detected, the hard hat shell
should be immediately replaced.<br>
<br>
Commonly Asked Questions:<br>
<br>
Q. Can I put decals on my hard hat?<br>
A. In most instances, yes.<br>
<br>
Q. Can hard hats be painted?<br>
A. ANSI Z89.1-2003 appendix A4 states that caution should be
exercised when painting hard hat shells since some paints and
thinners may attack and damage the shell and reduce protection
levels. The hard hat manufacturer should be consulted before
painting.<br>
<br>
Q. Can I wear my hard hat backward?<br>
A. Most likely. Check the hard hat for the "reverse donning
arrow" marking. The current 2009 edition addresses the issues of
reverse wearing of hard hats. <br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<pre class="moz-signature" cols="72">--
Henry Robertson
DSO, Engineering Division
Safety Systems Group
PH# - 757.269.7285
FAX - 757.269.7352
<a moz-do-not-send="true" class="moz-txt-link-freetext" href="http://www.jlab.org/accel/ssg/">http://www.jlab.org/accel/ssg/</a>
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