Hard Hats

Buying The Correct Protector Hats

Head injuries in the workplace

In a number of workplaces, including construction and manufacturing industries, good head protection is vital to prevent injuries that could prove life changing or even fatal. In the UK construction industry, approximately 3% of workers suffer a work-related injury, of which 11% are from being struck by an object. These statistics are not totally reliable, however, as an estimated 66,000 further injuries go unreported annually. Hard hats have a long established reputation for providing secure protection for the head, and in the range at Seton, you will find a number of options, so you can opt for the hard hat that best suits your site.

Ensuring hard hats are comfortable

When working in a challenging environment, hard hats may need to be worn for long periods of time. As well as providing safety, hard hats need to be comfortable. The hard hats in the range at Seton have an adjustable fit, so the hard hat can be made comfortable for each wearer and prevent the slippage that could make the hard hat less effective. Good ventilation keeps the head at a comfortable temperature throughout the working day. Most include a harness to keep the hard hat securely on the head, even in windy conditions or when moving.

Hard hats and other PPE

At Seton, we understand the importance of creating a range of products that can be useful across many different workplaces, and we aim to make our range as flexible as possible. A number of the hard hats make provision for the attachment of ear muffs for working in noisy environments, and visors, which can be found in our range of face shields.

To provide complete protection for the whole body, you may need to use hard hats in conjunction with other protective gear. Protect from airborne particles using dust masks, and prevent damage to workers’ own clothing with coveralls or other items from our range of protective clothing. We also supply head protection that help to easily distinguish other employees, such as white hard hats for site managers and operatives, and a range of other coloured hard hats, yellow, blue and even orange.

Hard hats and UK legislation

All workplaces are required by law to protect their workers from hazards and this is particularly true in the demanding construction and manufacturing industries. Understanding the laws that need to be followed to keep your workers safe from accidents and injuries can often prove difficult, but at Seton, we aim to make the process easier. We check all of our products to ensure they comply with the relevant EU and UK safety legislation and will always be happy to provide advice on the best products for your workplace. While hazards may be best avoided, in some industries it is necessary to work in hazardous environments. In these circumstances, providing personal protective equipment, including hard hats, is a straightforward measure you can take to keep your employees’ risk of injury lower.

When selecting the right hard hats for your work site, it is important to stay up to date with the latest health and safety regulations. In the majority of cases and worksites, suitable head protection must conform to the British Standard BS EN397:1995, or equivalent. Legally, employers must provide hard hats to employees and ensure that hard hats are worn on site when there is a risk of injury. It is important to ensure that all self-employed contractors are aware of the need to wear PPE and safety helmets when they are at your work site.

The EN397 Regulation also ensures that safety helmets are designed and built to protect workers from falling objects. Safety helmets are required to meet certain criteria regarding shock absorption, temperature resistance, lateral deformation and penetration resistance. For more information on EN397’s legal requirements, the HSE explains the details of these requirements in its Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations.

Hard hats and protective helmets that comply with this legislation have been thoroughly tested to withstand impacts and protect the wearer’s skull. Many of Seton’s construction helmets and hard hats actually exceed the EN397 safety regulations.

Hard hats come in a variety of styles, shapes and colours to ensure that your employees are protected, regardless of the unique needs of the worksite. A number of these variations include:

• Visors and chin guards to protect against any projectiles flying upwards


• Adjustments made to allow for safety glasses to comfortably fit under the helmet’s visor


• Additional safety lights that can be attached to the helmet for increased visibility


• Shock and heat-resistant materials for adverse working conditions or working at heights


• Options to attach ear protection, earmuffs and helmet lamps to your hard hat for a variety of working conditions


• Hard hats with extruding visors or bills to increase visibility when looking up


• Bright colours and fluorescent strips to increase visibility during all times of the day and night


• Venting around the helmet to increase comfort in hot working conditions

These are just a few of the added features to consider when selecting construction hard hats, builders’ hats and safety helmets of all kinds. It is important to properly reflect on the individual needs of the worksite, and the workers’ various roles, when selecting a helmet with specific properties.

In demanding environments, blows to the head may not always be avoidable, but with the use of hard hats, the long term or even fatal consequences can generally be avoided. The hard hats in the range at Seton all offer comfortable protection, giving you, your workforce and their families peace of mind. If you think that your work doesn’t warrant full hard hat protection, you can take a look at our bump caps, which aren't as bulky but still provide protection.

FAQs

How should a hard hat fit?

It is very important to ensure that every work helmet fits properly after any needed adjustments. The hard hat should fit snugly and remain in place regardless of whether the wearer is looking up or down or is moving. Ideally, the hard hat will allow for space in between the wearer’s head and the shell of the hat – most models can be manually adjusted to ensure the perfect fit. It is important that the construction hat is orientated properly and that the cap is not worn at an incorrect angle, as this will reduce the hard hat’s efficacy.

How often should hard hats be replaced?

If your safety helmet is showing signs of cracking, dents or serious damage, you should replace it right away. However, a good rule of thumb otherwise is that safety helmets should be replaced roughly every two to five years. This, of course, depends on the level of use that the helmets have endured.

How effective are hard hats?

When worn properly, hard hats are extremely effective in protecting the wearer’s head from impacts, falls and projectiles. The HSE found that up to 3% of all workers experience a work-related injury and that 11% of those injuries occur when a worker is struck by an object. Head injuries can have a drastic impact on an individual’s life and can even result in death. It is extremely important to ensure that your worksite takes head protection seriously and encourages everyone on site to always wear their safety helmet when there is a danger of head injury.

How can I maintain my hard hat?

It is important to maintain your safety helmet and keep it in good condition – a few easy maintenance steps can go a long way to promoting worker safety and wellbeing. Checking your hard hat regularly for dents, cracks, punctures or damage is key. Hard hats and safety helmets should be cleaned using warm, soapy water rather than abrasives or solvents.