October 27, 2019
Hard Hat Safety on Construction Sites
By Jonathan Damashek
Posted in
If you work in construction, you should know that it is important to wear a hard hat while on the job. A hard hat can protect you from flying or falling objects, as well as electric shocks and burns. Failure to wear one can lead to life-changing damages and make it difficult for you to return to work and lead the high quality of life you deserve.
If you sustained an injury in a construction accident, don’t hesitate to consult our highly skilled New York construction accident lawyers at Hecht, Kleeger & Damashek, P.C. We can inform you of your legal options and ensure your rights are protected. Call us at 212-490-5700 today or use our online contact form.
What is a Hard Hat?
A hard hat is essentially a helmet that construction workers wear to protect their heads from falls or impacts from blunt or sharp objects. According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), hard hats must contain a hard outer shell and a lining that absorbs shock and incorporates a headband.
In addition, it should be water-resistant, slow to burn, absorb shock from a blow to the head, and resist penetration by objects. The three different types of hard hat classes include:
- Class G: Class G hard hats are general helmets that offer protection against impact and object penetration with a voltage protection of up to 2,200 volts.
- Class E: Class E hard hats are electrical helmets that deliver optimal protection against electrical hazards of up to 20,000 volts.
- Class C: Class C hard hats are known as conductive helmets. While they deliver impact protection, they do not protect from electrical hazards.
Choosing the right hard hat is just as important as wearing a hard hat. If you know your job involves electrical hazards, a Class C hard hat won’t protect your head. Instead, you’ll want to choose between Class G or Class E, depending on the types of electrical hazards you may come in contact with.
Are Hard Hats Required?
OSHA and The New York City Department of Buildings have made it mandatory for construction workers to wear hard hats. The organization has set forth regulations that require employers in the construction industry to not only provide their employees with hard hats but to ensure they wear them.
Due to the fact that fatal head injuries arise at construction sites every year, hard hats are considered a crucial safety feature. Believe it or not, many of these fatal head injuries could’ve been prevented if workers simply wore their hard hats.
Despite the dangers that come with not wearing hard hats, many construction workers fail to wear them or wear hard hats that have been damaged or do not meet certain safety requirements.
Other Construction Site Safety Tips
In addition to the appropriate hard hat, you should do the following to protect yourself while working on a construction site.
- Attend safety trainings: Any time your employer hosts safety training, make sure you attend them. You may learn something that has the potential to save you from an injury or even save your life.
- Wear protective clothing and gear: High-visibility clothing, goggles, steel-toed shoes, and protective suits are other examples of protective clothing and gear that you should wear while on the job.
- Maintain tools and equipment: Do not use any piece of equipment or machinery until you’ve ensured there are no defects and it’s in proper working order.
Contact Hecht, Kleeger & Damashek, P.C.
If you’ve been injured while working on a construction site, it is in your best interest to reach out to Hecht, Kleeger & Damashek, P.C. We can evaluate the circumstances of your case and may be able to help you collect the maximum compensation you may deserve. Call us at 212-490-5700 today or use our online contact form.