‘How long will my hard hat last?’ This is the question our onsite safety teams get asked the most often. Understandably, your head and brain are very important, so it is worth knowing what you need to do to keep your hard hat in the best shape to protect it.
What you need to know
As it is the font of hard hat knowledge, the following tips are taken from Section 3 of Australian Standard AS/NZ 1800:1998 Occupational Protective Helmets – Selection, care and use provides advice on the “Care and Maintenance of Occupational Protective Helmets”.
Working life
The Standard notes that the outer shell of a hard hat generally has a working life of three years, while the internal harness components degrade more quickly, so it is recommended it be replaced at two-year intervals.
Each hat should be marked with an issuing date, the date you received it from your employer, and a manufacturing date, for reference. If an issuing date is lost (stickers often drop off during wear) it is best to determine the age of your hard hat from the manufacturing date.
If your hard hat is used infrequently and stored away from sun and weather its lifespan could be extended. Checking it thoroughly before each use will help determine its integrity.
Inspection and maintenance
You should inspect your helmet weekly for any signs of damage or compromise such as dents, cracks, damage from impacts and deterioration from sun, weather or chemicals. Inspection should include the outer shell, harness, headband, and any accessories. For example, you may find the outer shell is in good shape and intact but that the inner harness is excessively dirty and degrading due to wear. In this instance replace the harness immediately.
Discolouration or weathering of the shell could indicate a loss of strength, as will splitting, indents or cracks. If any of these are apparent the helmet should be discarded.
Hard hats left in the office, such those for Safety Wardens, also need regular checking to ensure their safety integrity.
Damage = dump
If you know your helmet has been damaged in any way, the integrity has been compromised and the helmet should be discarded. For optimal protection it is recommended you dump this hat and replace it with a newly issued one.
Sun and weather will damage helmets and shorten their lifespan. Extended exposure to heat and sunlight, such as leaving your helmet a car, can even result in the shell shattering.
Many worksites have regular checking procedures in place, but it is up to you to conduct regular checks to keep on top of the safety soundness of your helmet.
Check out the NSW Department of Planning and Environment Safety Bulletin for more information. Hard Hat Safety Bulletin
