The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) announced a change in the style of hard hats its employees wear and is encouraging employees at all facilities to do the same.
OSHA announced in a press release recently that it is replacing the traditional hard hats used by its employees during inspection visits with a modern safety helmet. The differences in the head gear were outlined in a bulletin from OSHA in November.
The new helmets feature a more modern design and materials that help protect workers better, such as face shields or goggles to protect against projectiles, dust and chemical splashes. Some of the newer helmets also offer built-in hearing protection and communication systems for clearer communication.
OSHA recommends the new helmets be adopted for employees who work in the following situations: the construction industry; high-temperature, specialized work and low-risk environments; when performing tasks involving electrical work; working from heights; and when regulations or industry standards require it.
“OSHA wants to make safety and health a core value in their workplaces and is committed to doing the same by leading by example and embracing the evolution of head protection,” the release says.
Dave Lubach is executive editor of the facility market.
