There are a lot of reasons not to wear a hard hat. They don’t look as “cool” as a
baseball cap; they can slip (if not properly adjusted); when you take it off, you have to
keep track of it; they may be uncomfortable if not properly adjusted; etc.; etc. All the
above are absurd and stupid reasons when balanced against the possibility of head
injury.
If a hazard assessment of your work site indicates that a hard hat is required, you must
wear it! It is that simple. You can rationalize all you want, but you must wear your hard
hat.
The construction standard that deals with head protection and hard hats is so short and
so simple, it is reproduced in its entirety, below:
Part Number: 1926
Standard Number: 1926.100
Title: Head protection.
Applicable 1910 Standards 1910.135
(a) Employees working in areas where there is a possible danger of head
injury from impact, or from falling or flying objects, or from electrical shock
and burns, shall be protected by protective helmets.
(b) Helmets for the protection of employees against impact and penetration
of falling and flying objects shall meet the specifications contained in
American National Standards Institute, Z89.1-1969, Safety Requirements
for Industrial Head Protection.
(c) Helmets for the head protection of employees exposed to high voltage
electrical shock and burns shall meet the specifications contained in
American National Standards Institute, Z89.2-1971.
While some standards are lengthy and, at times, confusing, this standard leaves no
doubt of its meaning. There is no room for misinterpretation. The excuse, “I didn’t know
I had to wear a hard hat”, just won’t fly.
The consequences of a head injury can be extremely serious. In a real sense, who and
what you are resides in your head. Severely damage your head, and brain, and you
may become “another person” — if you survive. The potential hazard of head injury is
present on many job sites and this hazard may be easily addressed through proper
wearing of your hard hat.