Tag Archives: hard hats

General Safety Issues, Head Protection

MSA V-GARD HATS: PUTTING THE RUMORS TO REST

In response to several emails we have recently received regarding MSA V-Gard Protective Helmets, we want to pass on the following information:  MSA has not issued a recall of V-Gard helmets, and all V-Gard helmets manufactured in March of 2008 are not to be removed from service.  It seems there has been a wide range of misinformation circulated via the Internet.

Here are the results of an investigation done by MSA:

  • Cracking in V-Gard hardhats in question is limited to blue and red helmets that were manufactured in the U.S., and are estimated to represent less than one one-hundredth of a percent of MSA’s U.S. V-Gard helmet production over the past 5 years.
  • The cause of this has been traced to a variation of copper pigment content, which is a component in blue and red colorants, and minor process variations.  In mid-2008, MSA changed to a different colorant and improved the process variation.  They have not received a single report of any cracked helmets, of any color, since these improvements were put into place.
  • Testing by MSA indicates that a cap exhibiting this type of crack continues to meet the ANSI Z89.1-2003 and CSA Z94.1-2005 impact and penetration test requirements.  However, a crack of this type would prevent the cap from passing the electrical resistance test.

We hope that this will clear up any questions regarding the rumors in question, and that you will continue to inspect all safety equipment on a daily basis, including hardhats.  Please stay tuned for more hardhat info…….

Source: MSA

General Safety Issues, Head Protection

PPE: Head Protection

2 Comments

The key to a successful safety program is to protect employees from head injuries.  The easiest and most important way is by wearing safety helmets/hard hats.  These protect workers from the shock of a blow to the head, and penetration.  The shell should be 1 to 1 ¼” away from the head to cushion impact, and the hardhat should have instructions for proper adjustment and replacement of suspension and headband.  Proper fit is of the utmost importance.
Most hard hats have slots to accommodate safety glasses, face shields, mounted lights, and/or earmuffs.

Three industrial classes of hardhats are:

  • Class A – Impact and penetration resistant and limited voltage protection – up to 2,200 volts.
  • Class B – Highest level of high-voltage shock and burn protection – up to 20,000 volts.  These protect from impact and penetration hazards such as falling/flying objects.
  • Class C – Lightweight comfort and important protection but not electrical hazard protected.

Bump Caps are for low head clearance areas where hard hats are not required.  Made to protect from bumps and bruises, bump caps are constructed from polyethylene.

Baseball Cap/Bump Caps have a PE lining inside the cap to protect from bumps and lacerations, as well, and are intended for workers who are not mandated to wear hard hats.

Safety is important, but just because you need to be safe, doesn’t mean you can’t have some style.  There are many different hard hat styles that are all ANSII approved.  Full brim and cap style hats are available in a variety of solid colors.  You can also find hats with different patterns on them, including flames, camouflage and flags for various countries.  You can even purchase hard hats displaying your favorite team. NFL, NCAA, NHL, MLB, NBA, NASCAR styles are all available.

Source: OSHA