PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT

Occupational Head Protection - Introduction

Elimination or control of a hazard leading to an accident should, of course, be given first consideration, but many accidents causing head injuries are of a type difficult to anticipate and control. Where these conditions exist, head protection must be provided to eliminate injury.

Head injuries are caused by falling or flying objects, or by bumping the head against a fixed object. Head protection, in the form of protective hats, must do two things:

Resist penetration

Absorb the shock of a blow.

This is accomplished by making the shell of the hat of a material hard enough to resist the blow, and by utilizing a shock-absorbing lining composed of headband and crown straps to keep the shell away from the wearer's skull. Protective hats also are used to protect against electrical shock.

30 of 45