How to wear and care for hard hats

More than 70,000 workers will become disabled this year because of head injuries, according to Safety Alert for Supervisors, but proper use of hard hats can prevent them.

Employees are responsible for their hard hats and must inspect them before they wear them. They should check the cradle and headband for wear and tear and replace them when necessary. They should also check the shell for cracks and scratches and never attempt to fix a shell with glue or tape.

Any time a hat receives a heavy blow, it should be replaced. And it should be replaced after being dropped from a significant height.

To maintain the hat’s performance, wash it once a month with warm, soapy water and steam clean the strap.

There should be an inch-and-a-quarter of space between your head and the shell, which is important to the hat’s ability to protect you. Don’t store anything there and don’t wear anything under the hat except cold-weather lining, when necessary.

The fit of a hat is also important. The straps should be snug, not tight. The hat shouldn’t tilt or slide.