Related Articles

Selecting The Right Hard Hat For the Job

Employers are required to provide workers with protective headgear when safety hazards, such as exposed electrical conductors, are present.

Choosing the appropriate hard hat for the job involves identifying the hazard. Protective helmets are classified by "impact types" and "electrical classes," according to the specific requirements they are designed to meet. Hard hats come in three electrical classes:

• Class G (general) helmets are designed to reduce the danger of contact exposure to low voltage conductors and are proof-tested at 2,200 volts (phase to ground).
   

• Class E (electrical) helmets reduce the danger of exposure to high voltage conductors and are proof-tested at 20,000 volts (phase to ground).
   

• Class C (conductive) helmets are not intended to provide protection against contact with electrical conductors.

Hard hats should fit properly and if a chin strap is used it should break under reasonably low force to prevent risk of strangulation.

It is also important to look for independent certification. Hard hats certified by the Safety Equipment Institute (SEI) indicate the manufacturer’s helmet complies with the American National Standards Institute’s ANSI Z89.1-1997 standard for industrial head protection and that the manufacturer meets SEI’s rigorous quality assurance requirements. For more information contact SEI at (703) 442-5732 or check web site www.seinet.org.

Sources: "American National Standard for Industrial Head Protection (ANSI Z89.1-1997)," American National Standards Institute; Safety Equipment Institute.

Special Journal Insert... English and Spanish PDF

IBEWCURRENTS

March 2003 IBEW Journal