ECI – Engineers Construction

Hard hats are an essential part of personal protective equipment when working under overhead hazards which occurs in most our jobsites.

OSHA addresses the requirements for hard hat use and manufacturing standards in 1910.135(a)1:

https://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_table=STANDARDS&p_id=9785

The standard requires “that each affected employee wears a protective helmet when working in areas where there is a potential for injury to the head from falling objects”.  OSHA also requires that the hard hat meet ANSI 89.1-1993, -2003, or – 2009 standards.

Hard hats should be inspected occasionally for cracks and proper fit.  Damaged hard hats should be replaced.  In general, a hard hat should last from 3 to 5 years.  Hard hat suspensions should be replaced yearly.