OSHA has two standards that govern hard hat requirements:
Both standards require workers to wear hard hats when there is a potential for head injury from “impacts, falling or flying objects, or electrical shock.”
This means that employers must provide hard hats and ensure that employees wear protective coverings in the following situations:
In all cases, hard hats must meet OSHA head protection requirements.
A hard hat that meets ANSI Z89.1 is OSHA compliant. 29 CFR 1910.135(b)(1) and 29 CFR 1926.100(b)(1) state that head protection must meet the 1997, 2003, or 2009 editions of ANSI Z89.1, or be shown to offer equivalent or better protection.
This standard defines:
Although manufacturers typically test and certify their products, employers need to verify that their hard hats meet OSHA’s requirements.
ANSI Z89.1 defines two types of hard hats and establishes three classes of hard hats based on the level of electrical hazard protection provided.
Hard Hat Types: The two types of hard hats are defined by the area of the head that is protected.
Hard Hat Classes: The three classes are based on the level of protection they provide from electrical hazards.
Each revision of the ANSI Z89.1 standard has specific labeling requirements for hard hats. Each hard hat must have the following information clearly marked inside the hat:
If the hard hat meets Z89.1-2009, it must also contain the following as required:
Instructions for care and use must accompany, but do not need to be included on, the hard hat.
If your hard hat does not have any of this information included, it may not comply with OSHA. Contact the manufacturer for documentation proving OSHA compliance.
Hard hats must be replaced if they show signs of damage (dents, cracks, penetration, or fatigue due to rough treatment). It is essential to inspect hard hats for damage and signs of fatigue each time they are used. In addition to visual inspections, another way to test a hard hat is to grasp it in two hands and apply force by squeezing the hat. If you hear creaking or other unusual sounds, it is time to replace the hard hat.
While OSHA has no specific provision for an expiration date, manufacturers are allowed to determine if their equipment expires on a specific calendar date. In lieu of an expiration date, a generally accepted rule is to replace the support strap yearly and to replace the hard hat every five years. Harsh chemicals and extreme temperatures can make a hard hat degrade more quickly. Be sure to check with the manufacturer for guidelines on hard hat replacement and maintenance.
A hard hat may also expire if OSHA adopts more rigorous requirements. It is essential to regularly check OSHA STANDARDS for changes that may require your PPE to be updated.
While ANSI Z89.1 does not restrict the application of hard hat labels, OSHA standard 1910.132(a) requires that PPE is “maintained in a sanitary and reliable condition.”
, OSHA explains that labels and paints may eliminate electrical resistance and can possibly “conceal defects, cracks, penetration, and any damage that would be otherwise readily identifiable.” OSHA goes on to explain that any labels or paint used on hard hats must comply with manufacturer’s instructions, or the employer must demonstrate that the labels do not affect the reliability or “reduce the ability to identify defects.”
In short, labels are acceptable if they do not adversely affect a hard hat’s protective rating or make it more difficult to find potential defects and damage.