Like safety shoes, eyewear, and hearing protection, head protection is a critical part of your work wardrobe. Head protection is mandatory in any environment where there could be impact to the head, including (but not limited to): falling objects, slips and falls, and bumping against or into objects. Hard hats are the only piece of safety equipment that protect against concussions and skull fractures – two injuries that can have lasting or even lethal effects.
Type 1 Hard Hat
Type 2 Hard Hat
There are two different types of hard hats available at Work Authority, Type 1 and Type 2. Both come in a variety of colours, are fully adjustable, and can be worn with or without a sweat band or fleece liner. The main difference between the two different types of hard hats is the type of impacts they are designed to withstand. Type 1 hard hats are designed to protect against impact and penetration at the top (crown) of the head, while type 2 hard hats protect not only the crown but also against lateral impacts and penetration from the sides or back. Work Authority also carries specialty hard hats such as full brim and welding styles.
Once you’ve chosen your hard hat of choice, you’ll want to take care of it – this means not tossing it in the back of a truck or in a trunk and throwing other tools on top of it. You don’t want to expose your hard hat to UV light by leaving it the back window of your car either- the heat and UV rays can degrade the plastic, making it brittle and more likely to shatter on impact. Inspect your hard hat every time you put it on your head – any cracks, abrasions, or dents mean it’s time to replace. Your hard hat is your first line of defence, so take the time to pick the right one and take care of it so it can take care of your head.
