Page 24 - OHS, September 2024

PPE: CONSTRUCTION
The construction industry has the greatest number of both fatal and nonfatal work-related TBI among U.S. workplaces.
Inspecting your head protection prior to each use and throughout the day can help ensure that its protection capabilities are not compro- mised, even from what may look like minor damage or a hairline crack.
OSHA outlines general inspection steps and storage guidelines in the updated SHIB:
■ Inspect the outer shell for cracks, dents or other signs of damage.
■ Examine the suspension system (headband and chin strap) for wear and tear.
■ Check for labels and certification marks.
■ Examine accessories and attachments.
■ Check for proper fit.
■ Refer to the manufacturer’s guidelines for recommended lifes-
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pan or guidance on when to take head protection out of service.
■ Clean and dry head protection before storing.
■ Maintain a record of each inspection, noting the date, any
findings and actions taken.
Head Protection Innovations
that Comply with the OSHA SHIB
Some of the recent innovations for hard hats and safety helmets can help address specific jobsite concerns and worker preferences. For example, hard hats featuring thermal barrier technology to re- direct or block the sun’s rays can help reduce worker heat stress in sunny conditions by helping keep the inside of the hard hat cooler than those without this technology. This may be beneficial for workers at risk of seasonal heat stress in applications, such as road construction or working at height.
If TBIs resulting from contact with objects or equipment or slips, trips, and falls are a primary concern, consider additional layers of protection that are designed to help reduce rotational motion and the risk of traumatic brain injury from certain angled impacts. Rotational motion is one of the most common causes for traumatic brain injuries including concussions, the symptoms of which can range from low to high severity: headache, dizziness, memory loss and varying degrees of unconsciousness.4 This makes it especially important that workers continue to prioritize safe PPE usage. A hard hat or safety helmet with a layer designed to help reduce rotational motion works by allowing the helmet to move relative to the head at impact. This relative movement redirects en- ergies and helps reduce the harmful rotational motion of the head.
Conducting a hazard assessment is an important first step in choosing the head protection solution that is right for your needs. Determining the unique risks and concerns associated with your specific job site and application can help identify whether Type I or Type II, Class G, C or E, or inclusion of additional accessories or technology features is right for your organization.
Dennis Capizzi is Marketing Manager for Head Protection and Fall Protection PPE at MSA Safety. Dennis began his career with MSA more than 15 years ago as the marketing event coordinator before transition- ing into a product management role and fi-
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While OSHA has determined that Type II, Class G safety helmets are the most appropriate type of head protection for its employees, OSHA recognizes that “based on their own Job Hazard Analysis, employers and workers may decide that another form of head pro- tection is for them.”
Some important factors to keep in mind when conducting a Hazard Assessment include:
■ Previous records of head injuries or near misses.
■ Impact and other risks, including falling objects, hitting or bumping the head, lateral impact, electrical shock, or chemical splash. ■ Job-related tasks and applications, such as working at height,
confined space entry, climbing or welding.
■ Environmental conditions such as electrical sources, ex-
treme weather or high noise.
Additional factors to consider when choosing head protection
may include comfort and worker compliance and your organiza- tion’s customization requirements for PPE.
How to Select Head Protection
The OSHA SHIB includes considerations for choosing head protection for:
■ Construction sites, especially those with high risks of fall- ing objects and debris, impacts from equipment, awkward working positions, and/or slip, trip, and fall hazards.
■ Oil and gas, where workers face potential exposure to chem- icals and severe impacts.
■ Working at height.
■ Electrical work or tasks that involve proximity to electrical hazards.
■ High- and low-temperature environments.
■ High visibility for construction and road work.
■ Specialized work environments that may require integrated
face shields, hearing protection or communication devices.
These considerations are based on specific applications. Be- cause the hazards your team faces may vary, consider whether they would benefit from a head protection solution that is different
from what has been highlighted in the SHIB.
How to Inspect Head Protection
It’s important to note that head protection is intended for single-use impact protection. So it may not retain its full effectiveness after an incident. Any hard hat that has withstood an impact or penetration should be immediately removed from service and replaced.
nally into segment marketing. Within his ca- reer he has been responsible for respiratory, thermal imaging cameras, communications, head/eye/face/hearing, and fall protection equipment across both the industrial and first responder market.
REFERENCES
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22 Occupational Health & Safety | SEPTEMBER 2024
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