Staying safe in the workplace is important to your health and well-being. There are some organizations that work hard to provide employees with the correct headgear and safety training, preventing serious accidents and saving lives. Here are some of the requirements of safety headgear, and how to wear it correctly so you don’t place your life at-risk while you are on the job.

Dangerous Work Activities

Most companies that place their employees in dangerous work activities are required to provide proper headgear for their staff. The construction industry, electrical industry, mining industry, riot police, and other industries commonly provide quality helmets to their employees to protect them from brain injury.

A hard hat is essential to staying safe in many jobs. Falling objects or accidental collisions on the job can easily cause a serious brain injury if you aren’t wearing proper headgear. A hard hat will deflect a blow to the head by distributing the impact over the helmet. Some helmets are designed to cover a larger area and may include protection for the neck and face as well.

Selecting a Helmet

Employers will typically provide a helmet to their employees if their work requires one. You need to look at the approved hard hats and check them to make sure they meet industry standards. Try the hat on to make sure it fits you correctly. You might need to adjust the chin straps to help the hat stay securely in place.

Certain careers require people to wear a helmet by law, in an effort to protect both the worker and their employer. It is important that you read the regulations for your industry to know if you must always wear your helmet, or if it should only be worn at specific times. Individuals in violation of the helmet law risk losing their job, and they often won’t be properly represented in a lawsuit due to their own negligence.

How a Helmet Works

The way a helmet works is based on the shock absorbing space between your head and the shell. The suspension straps need to fit securely for the helmet to perform properly. Sunlight and sweat can rot out a helmet’s sweatbands and straps, so it is important to make sure they are functioning correctly. Replacing your helmet straps yearly or annually is a great way to prevent serious problems. It is important to inspect the helmet for any issues, including cracks or holes. If it is unable to provide complete protection to your head, it can fail at a crucial time – such as when something falls and hits your head.

When implemented properly, a company will have different colors of helmets to indicate job positions. This can help workers quickly identify a supervisor from other workers. Companies with effective policies will work hard to train their staff to always wear their helmet. The supervisors can set great examples for others by always wearing a helmet when they are working.

This article was provided by Sandy Wallace, aspiring lawyer and safety advocate. Sandy recommends researching the correct head protection for your profession and work conditions, not to mention taking time to find the perfect fitting helmet and gear to ensure maximum safety and protection.