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.
• 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
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