In the British workplace health and safety is very much a priority. Over the decades, waves of legislation have been introduced aimed at keeping the workforce safe from injury and death.
An important aspect of these rules is the legislation surrounding the use of
hard hats. They are required safety kit for all construction sites in the UK and their use is prescribed in other work environments where there is risk of injury from falling objects or where there is a risk of the head hitting a hard object.
The laws that govern hardhat usage in the UK
In the past, the use of hard hats was governed mainly by The Construction (Head Protection) Regulations 1989. In 2013, these regulations were revoked and the Personal Protective Equipment Regulations 2002 and Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations 1992 regulations are now used to determine when a hard hat is required.
Where hard hats need to be worn
Hard hats must be worn on an as required basis. That is to say, only when a hazard exists, however, most building site owners and many other business owners air on the side of caution.
The majority require all personnel to wear hard hats at all times when on site and in all areas even those where the risk of injuries from hard objects at or below head height or falling objects is relatively low. Most take this approach because they know that when personnel pass from a non-hard hat area into a hazardous area the possibility exists that workers and visitors will forget to put their hard hat on. Making an entire site or workplace a hardhat environment is seen as the best way to ensure that they are worn when they should be.
Manufacturing standards
Any hard hat that is used in the UK has to meet certain standards. They must comply with BS EN 397. For this reason, some hard hats that are manufactured for use in other countries may not be suitable for use in the UK. They may not be made to the same standards, which means that they do not provide adequate protection according to UK law.
It is also important to understand that hard hats have a life. Most manufacturers recommend that their hats be replaced every five years or so. This is because the materials that they are made from degrade over time.
Most manufacturers also recommend that any hard hat that has been involved in an impact be replaced. It is important that hard hats be checked regularly for damage. A damaged construction hat may not afford adequate protection, which is why they need to be replaced.
Usage guidance
Hard hats that are worn over the top of a hat or hood may not afford the proper level of protection. To be effective the hard hat needs to fit properly.
A hat that is not tight enough could easily fall off in the event of an accident and one that is too tight will not flex properly when struck. It is important to train all personnel to adjust their protective headgear properly and take care of this important item. This is just an overview of the subject. If you are a business owner or sub-contractor you need to speak to a properly trained health and safety officer to get full details of the proper and legal use of hard hats in the UK.