Are hard hats considered personal protective equipment?
Hard hats are a component of PPE- Personal Protective Equipment. They fall under OHSA’s standard for head protection (1910.135(a)(1)) and (1910.135(a)(2) These standards state that an employer should ensure that all effected employees wear hard hats when they are working in an area where there is the potential for injury to the head from falling objects and debris and where there is exposure to electrical conductors that could have contact with the head. Who sets the criteria for hard hat safety? The last revision to the standard which is put forth by ANSI (American National Standards Institute) that provides the performing and testing requirements for hard hats can be found under ANSI Z89.1-2003. Hard hats that meet the requirements of the 2003 standard are classified as type 1 (Top Head protection) and type 2 (lateral impact head protection which also includes top head protection). Both types are tested for impact resistance. Look for the ANSI standard or OSHA compliance printed in t
