Telecom Training & Safety: Hard Hat Best Practices

While everyone knows what a hard hat is, and it seems pretty self-explanatory, there's a lot more beneath the surface you should know about selecting the right hard hat, how to keep them maintained properly, and when they should be replaced. Read on to learn more.

If the manufacturer has a set expiration date, that's the date you must take the hard hat out of service.
If there's no recommended expiration set by the manufacturer, a common timeframe is five years, although this is not a set-in-stone OSHA requirement.
The recommended hard hat replacement schedule is two years if the hard hat is regularly subjected to harsh environments like sun exposure or extreme temperatures. Storing them in a temperature-controlled environment can help on this one.
An easy test for hard hat condition is to use both hands to squeeze the hard hat’s shell inward. If you hear cracking or the hard hat ‘gives,’ then replace it.
Sometimes the suspension system inside the hard hat has a different replacement schedule than the shell. Many manufacturers recommend replacing this on a yearly basis.
This one is not always popular, but it’s best practice not to put stickers or paint on hard hats. The main gist is that it could affect the electrical protection or hide any damage or defects on the hard hat. (https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/standardinterpretations/2009-10-27)
Always make sure you’re using the correct hard hat for the job – there are different classes for electrical hazards and direction of hazards (above vs. above and from the side). See charts below.