Head protection

Head proteetion is diseussed in 1910.135. The employer should make sure that affeeted workers wear head proteetion when working in areas where there is a potential for injury to the head from falling objeets or to reduee eleetrieal shoek hazard. ANSI standards Z89.1-1986 and Z89.1-1969 are ineorporated by referenee. 

Foot proteetion is mentioned in 1910.136. ANSI standard Z41-1991 and Z41.1-1967 are ineorporated by referenee. Hand proteetion is eovered in 1910.138. The employers should make sure that workers are wearing appropriate hand proteetion. 

FIGURE 24.5 Head protection suspension clearance. (Courtesy of the United States Department of Energy.) 

Employers must provide head protection for employees if objects might fall from above and strike them on the head, if they might bump their heads against fixed objects such as exposed pipes or beams, or if they work near exposed electrical conductors. In general, protective helmets, or hard hats, should 

Class B now Class E Choose Class B helmets if employees are engaged in electrical work. They protect against falling objects and high-voltage shocks and bums. 

Class C now Class C Designed for comfort, these lightweight helmets offer limited protection. They protect workers from bumping against fixed objects but do not protect against falling objects or electric shock. 

In specific situations, a chin strap must be provided for the protective helmets worn by employees. For example, this type of helmet must be used to protect employees working at elevated levels, whether in an aerial lift, at the edge of a pit, or around helicopters. The chin straps should be designed to prevent the hard hats from being bumped off the employees heads. 

OSHA s standard for head protection, 29 CFR 1910.135, requires that the employer ensure that each affected employee wears a protective helmet when working in areas where 

Hard hats should be stored out of direct sunlight and periodic inspections should be made of all hard hats. Those exposed to sunlight for prolonged periods are susceptible to ultraviolet degradation. At the first sign of a loss of surface gloss or flaking, the hard hat should be replaced. Replace the liner about once a year. 

Protective helmets purchased after July 5, 1994 shall comply with ANSI Z89.1-1986, American National Standard for Personnel Protection-Protective Headwear for Industrial Workers-Requirements, which is incorporated by reference as specified in Sec. 1910.6, or shall be demonstrated to be equally effective. The head is a very delicate and important part of the body that contains the valuable organs for sight, smell, hearing, eating, and speaking (the mouth), and the brain. Injuries to the head are very serious so employees should use their head and wear their hard hat. 

Regarding head injuries, a Bureau of Labor Statistics (2009) survey noted that more than one-half of the workers with blows to the head were struck on the head while they were looking down and almost three-tenths were looking straight ahead. While a third of unprotected workers were injured when bumping into stationary objects, such actions injured only one-eighth of hard hat wearers. Where these conditions exist, head protection must be worn to eliminate injury. 

Come with instructions explaining proper adjustment and replacement of the suspension and headband. 

Long hair (longer than 4 inches) can be drawn into machine parts such as chains, belts, rotating devices, suction devices, and blowers. Hair may even be drawn into machines otherwise guarded with mesh. Although you need not require your employees to cut their hair, you must require them to cover and protect their hair with bandanas, hair nets, turbans, soft caps, or the like. These items, however, must not themselves present a hazard. 

Refer to 29 CFR 1910.135 for information about OSHA head protection. Ensure workers wear appropriate head protection that can resist penetration and absorb the shock of blows. Evaluate the need for using protective hats to protect against electric shock. OSHA requires head protection hats to meet the requirement of ANSI Z-89.1, Industrial Head Protection, and Z-89.2, Requiranents for Industrial Protective Helmets for Electrical Workers. Each type and class of head protector must provide protection against specific hazardous conditions. An understanding of these conditions will help in selecting the right hat for the particular situation. 

Refer to 29 CFR 1910.135 for information about OSHA head protection. Ensure workers wear appropriate head protection that can resist penetration and absorb the shock of blows. Evaluate the need for using protective hats to protect against electric shock. OSHA requires head protection hats 

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Head protection is required against falling objects but also serves against heat, chemical splashes, or entanglement of hair in machinery. The appropriate standard is BS EN 397 (1995). 

Table 13.11 Head protection requirements for construction activities (Construction (Head protection) Regulations 1989)...

The new standard amended 29 Code of Eederal Regulations (CER) to include general requirements (29 CER 1910.132), eye and face protection (29 CER 1910.133), head protection (29 CER 1910.135), and foot protection (29 CER 1910.136). A new regulation (29 CER 1910.138) applied to hand protection. These changes are significant because they mandated employers to conduct a hazard assessment of the workplace to decide if hazards in the operation required the use of PPE. 

Is PPE selected and used to meet the requirements of 29 CER Part 1910, Subpart I (eye and face protection, respiratory protection, occupational head protection, occupational foot protection, and electrical protection devices) ... 

Safety helmets should comply with the relevant British Standards (e.g. BS 5240, BS 4033). If engaged in con-stmction, the Construction (Head Protection) Regulations 1989 must be applied. 

When Europe exploded into war in 1914, scientists largely abandoned their studies to go to the front. Marie Curie, with her daughter Irene, then 17 years old. organized medical units equipped with X-ray machinery. These were used to locate foreign metallic objects in wounded soldiers. Many of the wounds were to the head French soldiers came out of the trenches without head protection because their government had decided that helmets looked too German. In November of 1918, the Curies celebrated the end of World War I France was victorious, and Marie s beloved Poland was free again. 

Common-sense guidelines can be deduced from the requirements of building operations and works of engineering construction summarized in Table 11.20. In special situations, e.g. for fire-fighting or protection against toxic chemicals, hoods and suits cover the head and neck and many incorporate head protection. 

Confined space Environmental hazards, 1, 398 Head protection, 436... 

Industrial and mining settings should require ear protection (plugs or muffs) for noise above a certain decibel level, hard hats for head protection, and steel-toed shoes for foot protection. A safety harness should be worn when sampling from heights. A full protective suit should be worn when in extreme heat or cold or near hazardous chemicals. Check to see whether mechanical equipment must be shut down to sample safely. Eye or face protection should be worn if hot gases may be released to the atmosphere. In some circumstances, weather may be a factor. In the field, local terrain may require special gear. 

Heads with black or discolored centers. Causes Fungal rot cold injury. Broccoli heads rot when water collects between the individual flower buds. Avoid wetting heads when watering. Cold weather can also cause black areas in the center of heads. Protect plants with row cover when temperatures below 40° F are predicted. 

Protective-equipment requirements (such as eye and head protection). 

Patrick, L.M., Lissner, H.R., and Gurdjian, ES. 1965. Survival by design head protection. In Proceedings of... 

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