One of the standard pieces of safety equipment on every construction site is the hard hat. If you work in construction in Missouri, wearing a hard hat should be second nature to you. You should slip the hat on before you enter the work zone and only remove it when you get your vehicle to go home at night. However, some workers see hard hats as a nuisance. Those people are putting themselves at great risk.
According to Safety and Health, hard hats offer amazing protection against serious head injuries that could cause severe effects and even death. There were 1020 death in 2012 alone due to head injuries on worksites. That is why hard hats should be worn all the time when in a construction zone.
A good hard hat that is up to safety standards will protect you from a range of things, including burns, shock and penetration. Certain hard hats will protect against electrocution as well. Your hard hat needs to be fitted correctly so the shell is not sitting right on your head. This allows it to better absorb a hit or blow and keep your head from feeling it.
You should inspect your hard hat every time you put it on. A worn or cracked hat will not provide proper protection. You also need to store it properly to prevent weaken caused by sun exposure. Of course, the only way your hard hat can protect you is if you wear it, so make sure it becomes a habit to put it on before you begin working. This information is not intended to be legal advice. It is for educational purposes only.
