Don’t Let a Workplace Injury Mess with Your Head

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), 84 percent of workers who have suffered head injuries were not wearing a hardhat at the time. Imagine suffering the effects of a debilitating brain injury for the rest of your life, as a result of failing to use a hardhat.

Brain injury symptoms include depression, impaired memory, difficulty concentrating, emotional outbursts and difficulty switching between two tasks. A blow to an unprotected head can also easily be fatal. That’s a high price to pay for not taking a minute to wear your hardhat on the job.

Here are some tips for using and taking care of your hardhat:

• Get help from your safety supervisor in choosing the right hardhat for the particular hazards of your job.
• Get advice in properly fitting the hat so that you won’t be tempted to take it off. The suspension system must be adjusted to leave a space between the hard shell and your skull.
• Inspect your hardhat before each wearing. Check the shell for cracks, dents and other signs of damage or wear. Look for rips and other indications of excessive wear in the inner suspension system.
• Never drill holes in your hardhat or alter it in any other way. Even painting it can destroy its protective capabilities.
• Keep your hat away from extreme temperatures. Don’t carry it in the window of a vehicle or leave it outdoors in freezing weather.
• Wash your hardhat once in a while with a mild soap and water. Do not use strong chemicals such as industrial solvents to clean a hardhat. You might damage the material and diminish the protective capabilities