Hard Knock Life: The Battle Between Construction Safety Helmets and Hard Hats

The construction sector is known for its heavy reliance on manual labor and is considered a sector with a high level of physical risk. The nature of the work exposes workers to various hazards. Thus, prioritizing their safety and offering appropriate protection measures is crucial. Head protection is a significant component of protection for employees that is sometimes overlooked. On construction sites, the necessity of wearing protective headgear cannot be overemphasized. 

Headgear serves as a crucial element of a staff member's Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). The primary purpose of a safety helmet is to guard against various hazards. This includes protection from falling objects and potential electrical shocks. Head safety is paramount in any work environment. Thus, wearing a safety helmet is essential for head protection.

In the market, there are various options available such as helmets and hard hats that serve this purpose effectively. When making a purchasing decision, it is important to carefully consider the available options before making a choice. This article aims to provide a detailed explanation of the differences between construction safety helmets and hard hats.

Safety Standard for Helmets on Construction Sites

In India, the Bureau of Indian Regulations (BIS) regulates the safety regulations for helmets worn on construction sites. Construction and industrial PPE are two examples of items for which the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has developed and implemented quality and safety standards. For the construction industry, there is a national standards agency that formulates safety helmets.

Helmets used on construction sites in India are required to be BIS-certified. The certification indicates that the helmet complies with national safety and quality standards. The IS code, or the Indian Standard code for industrial safety helmets, is IS 2925:1984.

Specifications Defined by IS 2925:1984:

The IS 2925:1984 standard outlines various requirements for safety helmets, including:

• Material: Helmets should be made of materials that are durable, robust, and resistant to water, fire, and electric shocks. They should also be able to withstand exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays without degradation.

• Design & Shape: The helmet should be of a smooth, streamlined design, without any lugs or external attachments, except for those essential for its protective function or earmuff attachment.
• Size & Adjustment: Helmets should have adjustable sizes, allowing a snug fit for users. They should also have a means for sweat absorption.
• Strength: The helmet should be strong enough to resist penetration and distribute the force of impact to minimize injury.
• Flammability Resistance: Helmets should be made of flame-resistant materials.

The BIS requires helmets to undergo rigorous testing to ensure they meet the stipulated standards. This includes:

• Impact absorption test: To ensure the helmet can absorb and dissipate shock.
• Penetration test: To verify the helmet's resistance against sharp objects.
• Flame resistance test: To confirm the helmet's material doesn't catch fire.
• Electrical resistance test: For helmets meant to protect against short-term, accidental contact with live electrical conductors.

 Marking

Once a helmet conforms to IS 2925:1984 standards, it's marked with the BIS certification, indicating its compliance. Other markings include the manufacturer's identification, the size, and the year of manufacture.

For the helmet standard to be effective, construction companies and contractors need to be aware of the standards and ensure their implementation. Workers should be trained on:

• Proper usage and adjustment of helmets.
• Regular inspection for wear, tear, or damage.
• Immediate replacement of helmets showing signs of damage or after an impact.

What are Safety Helmets?

The purpose of a construction safety helmet is to prevent injury to the head from several different sources, including falls, hits with immovable objects, and the impact of sharp or pointed objects. Made from lightweight materials like plastic, these hats are easier to wear and more comfortable than their bulkier counterparts. The increased protection from falling objects offered by construction helmets makes them a must-have on any job site. They protect the person's head from objects like tools, machinery, garbage, and other projectiles.

What are Hard Hats?

The outer shell of a hard hat, also known as an industrial helmet, is typically composed of materials like fiberglass or polymers in addition to the molded plastic or resin substance. In harsh environments, when working with electricity, around metal pylons, exposed pipes, or anything else that could cause injury, hard hats are much preferable to helmets because of their increased durability. When working in high-risk regions, employees need to wear hard hats because of their superior protection against damage and punctures.

The Value of Wearing a Safety Helmet at the Construction Site

Here are some more reasons why it is important to wear a safety helmet when working to protect your workers from harm.

• Safeguarding the Head from Injury

Protecting employees against penetration injuries, electric shocks, and severe head impacts caused by flying or falling items is the primary purpose of hard hats and other types of safety helmets. These safety helmets shield the wearer's head from falling debris as well as immovable objects and live wires. Such protective headgear is cheap and easy to find on the internet.

• Raised Accident Survival Rates

Workers are less likely to sustain injuries in the event of an accident, such as the tipping over of a vehicle or the improper use of a piece of industrial equipment, if they are wearing protective headgear.

• Increases Employee Visibility

Many modern helmets come equipped with reflective strips or surfaces. This feature is vital for night-time or underground work as it enhances visibility, ensuring that workers are visible to others around them. Reflective strips or surfaces on safety helmets ensure that workers are not just visible to each other but also to machine operators and vehicle drivers. This is particularly important in areas where heavy machinery, like forklifts or cranes, is in operation, reducing the chances of collisions or accidental hits.

• Protection Against Hair Entanglement

Hair entanglement in machinery can be a devastating accident in the workplace, leading not just to injuries but in severe cases, fatalities. As industries and manufacturing units rely heavily on automated machinery and equipment, the risks associated with moving parts become more pronounced. One of the key protective measures against such risks is using helmets. 

Conclusion

When it comes to protecting workers in construction and manufacturing environments, selecting between safety helmets and hard hats is a top priority. While their construction and materials are different, they both provide excellent defense against targeted threats. Their primary purpose is to keep people safe from harm, whether that harm comes from people, machinery, or conditions like poor visibility. A company's commitment to worker safety and well-being is on display when it takes these distinctions into account and mandates proper helmet use. When it comes to industrial safety equipment, go no further than Robust.