Objective:
To know when and what type of head protection to use.
Background:
Wear a hard hat if there is danger of striking the head on overhead
objects or of being hit by a falling, overhead object. Potentially
dangerous situations include:
Working below other workers or machinery.
Working around or under conveyor belts.
Working around exposed energized conductors.
Wear hard hats made of slow-burning, water-resistant molded
plastic. They protect the head in various ways.
The hard outer shells resist blows and penetration from above.
Shock-absorbing suspensions (headband and straps) act as an impact barrier between the hat and
the head.
Because the suspension gives a helmet its impact distributing qualities, helmets worn over a cap or
parka hood do not protect the head. Liners are available to keep the head warm and chin straps are also
available to keep the hat in place. Hard hats come in different classes or levels of protection.
Classification Level of Protection
Class A Resists impact, penetration and provides limited resistance to electricity.
Class B Resists impact and penetration and provides high resistance to electricity.
Class C Provides impact and penetration resistance only. They are usually made of
aluminum and should never be worn around electricity.
AGRICULTURAL SAFETY TOPICS
PROTECTING THE HEAD
WSPS.CA
