When Should I Replace My Hard Hat?
Heather Baines, Safety & Risk Management Council 6-2019
I give the safety orientation for all our new employees and I find myself spending a lot of time on hard hats and expiration dates. Why? Because hard hats with stickers from tons of jobs represent years of working in construction. Often there are so many stickers on a hard hat you would think that is how it was made. As employers, we must educate our employees on when it is time to hang up their hard hats.
When should I replace my hard hat?
Manufacturer’s guidelines indicate that replacement of hard hats is recommended after four to five years of use, regardless of appearance.
Colored zip ties can be placed on the back of the hard hat to indicate expiration date.
How do you know your hard hat expiration date?
ANSI Z89.1-2009 requires particular information be permanently printed inside each hard hat, including the date of manufacture. The manufacturer’s name, ANSI standard designation, and the appropriate ANSI class designation (Class G, E, C or bump hat) are also required.
If a hat is not visibly damaged, you can calculate the expiration date by checking the date of manufacture.
Inspect your hard hat for wear
Even if you know your hard hat hasn’t reached its expiration date, inspect it for damage before each use.
Check the shell to see if it’s faded or chalky. This may indicate signs of aging.
If it is dropped on a hard surface, or you receive a blow to your head, inspect before wearing.
Other
Most hard hats are replaced before they wear out to provide maximum protection.
Employees who work in the sun for long hours may have to replace their hats after two years.
Manufacturers recommend changing the suspension inside the hard hat every 12 months.
Clean your hard hat according to manufacturer’s recommendations.
Never use paint on a hard hat as this can shorten its life.
Bottom line, some hard hats should be retired even when they may look to be in good shape. Having a system such as colored zip ties helps ensure employees have the maximum head protection at all times.