Hard Hat Considerations
Replacing Hard Hats
Hard hat manufacturers recommend replacing hard hats at least every five years, regardless of outside appearance.
Work under extreme conditions, such as exposure to high temperatures, chemicals, or sunlight, may require replacing hard hats after two years of use. Some manufacturers recommend replacing hard hat suspensions every 12 months. It's important to review each work site to ensure that degradation of employees' hard hats is not being accelerated due to work conditions.
Painting Hard Hats
ANSI Z89.1-2003 Appendix A4 cautions workers to be careful when painting hard hat shells since some paints and thinners can damage the shell and reduce its level of protection. It's important to consult the hard hat manufacturer before painting hard hats.
Wearing Hard Hats Backwards
Hard hats may be worn reversed if "reverse donning arrow" marking is present. A non-mandatory test protocol allows hard hat manufacturers to test the helmet and mark it with the "reverse donning arrow." This means the helmet can be worn frontward or backward in accordance with the manufacturer's wearing instructions.
Knowledge Check Choose the best answer for the question.
5-3. According to manufacturer recommendations, how often may hard hats that have been exposed to extreme conditions need to be replaced?
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