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| Terms You Should Know | All Hard Hats & Accessories | Hard Hats SITE MAP | ABC Safety Glasses - Safety Supplies & Equipment | |||
TERMS YOU SHOULD KNOW
Accessory Slots/Slotted Hard Hats- This is a slot on the sides of many cap-style hard hats which allows accessories such as ear muffs, faces shields, and other headgear.
Bump Caps- offers light protection but DO NOT protect against impact or blows to the top or side of the head.
Cap Style hard hats- Type of hard hat characterized by a bill in the front. Most hard-hats use this design. The design looks very similar to a baseball cap.
Full Brim hard hats- Type of hard hat with a brim that wraps completely around the hat. This helps to cover the neck and ears from the sun and other elements.
Pin-lock suspension- A type of suspension that attaches to the users head with a locking mechanism. Rather like a man's belt. This is the most economical of the suspensions. At this time, all hard hats come with either this suspension or the ratchet suspension below.
Ratchet suspension- A type of suspension with a quick ratchet adjusting knob. This loosens or tightens the hard hat "on the go" with a simple turn of the knob. The pin lock suspension must be removed to be adjusted.
Staz-On Suspension- MSA's version of the pin-lock suspensions above
Fas-Trac Suspension- MSA's version of the ratchet suspension above.
Four point suspension/six point suspension- This is the actual number of clips that mounts the cradle suspension to the shell of the hard hat.
V-Guard hard hat- Available in the MSA line of hard hats. This V-Guard offers additional protection to the top of the hard hat with a large embossed "V" designed into the shell of the hat. Many other hats have a version of the "V-guard"
MSA- This is the name of the largest manufacturer of hard hats in the industry.
Polyethylene plastic- Most hard hats are designed with this hard plastic shell. Hard hats are also available in a fiberglass shell; however, it is a non-stock item and can take a little time to receive.
Z89.1-1997, Type 1, Class C,E,G - This is the ANSI stamp of approval that specifies the hard hat meets all safety requirements.
Type I Hard Hats - intended to reduce the force of impact resulting from a blow to the top of the head.
Type II Hard Hats - designed to provide protection against both side impact and blows to the top of the head. Locations in your workplace requiring Type II protection will be determined by your Safety Management.
ANSI Z87.1-1997 also changed the designations for the 3 electrical protection classes that apply to both Type I and Type II hard hats. Testing requirements remain the same.
| Classifications under old and new standards: | |||||
| Z89.1 - 1986 (Old Standard) |
Z89.1 - 1997 (New Standard) |
Application | Test Voltage | ||
| A | G | General | 2,200 Volts | ||
| B | E | Electrical | 20,000 Volts | ||
| C | C | Conductive | Not Tested | ||
Hard Hat Maintenance
Cleaning your hard hat and suspensions:
The hard hats with or without logos can be cleaned with simple soap and water, or by using a damp towel. The plastic suspensions can be cleaned similarly; however, most modern suspensions some with a sweatband in the front or back of the hat. These sweatbands can be gently washed by hand, but they probably won't last as long as the hard hat. Several universal brow pads are available at an economical price.
- Cracks appear in the shell.
- Shiny surface appears dull or chalky.
- Shell becomes brittle.
- The suspensions become brittle
- One or more of the mounts break off
- The suspension will no longer hold securely to the head
- The cradling straps break or become worn
