News

One of the best ways 
to stay ahead of risk? Stay well informed.

Home  /  Insights  /  OSHA’s Safety and Health Bulletin on Safety Helmets in the Workplace

OSHA’s Safety and Health Bulletin on Safety Helmets in the Workplace

On Nov. 22, 2023, OSHA provided a Safety and Health Information Bulletin (SHIB) on the use of safety helmets in the workplace. This SHIB is not a standard or regulation, and it creates no new legal obligations. The SHIB is advisory in nature and informational in content, and it is intended to assist employers in providing a safe and healthful workplace.

One of the differences between traditional hard hats and safety helmets lies in their construction materials. While hard hats are made of hard plastics, safety helmets incorporate a combination of materials, including lightweight composites, fiberglass and advanced thermoplastics. These materials not only enhance impact resistance but also reduce the overall weight of the helmet, reducing neck strain and improving comfort during extended use.

Employers should evaluate workplace hazards to determine the most appropriate head protection for each situation. If head protection is needed for the job, employers should consider investing in better head protection with safety helmets to better protect their workers.

Notable Dates This Winter:
January 14-20: Home Office Safety and Security Week
February is American Heart Month
February 2nd is National Wear Red Day
March National Ladder Safety Month
March 2: Deadline to electronically submit OSHA Form

Use of Safety Helmets on the Job
Employers must conduct a hazard assessment at their job sites and based on the workplace hazards, determine whether head protection is necessary.

Recommended uses for safety helmets include:

  • Construction Sites
  • Oil and gas industry
  • Working from heights
  • Electrical work
  • High-temperature environments
  • Specialized work environments
  • Specific regulatory requirements
  • Low-risk environment

Want more education on how to safely run operations within your business?

Click here to get insight from our Loss Control team!
Stay up to date on business risk management trends, OSHA regulations and receive industry expertise.

Read the January Loss Control newsletter here!

Business Insurance

Loss Control