Head protection  are a common workplace injury that can cause serious, permanent impairment or even death. Fortunately, most head injuries can be prevented by wearing the right type of head protection when working around potential hazards.

Many occupational fields require employees to wear head protection such as hard hats and bump caps in order to reduce the risk of a blow or impact to the head. This includes fields such as construction, oil and gas, utilities, and any job that may present a risk of being struck by an object or bumping into a fixed item. It is also required for workers who may be exposed to electrical hazards such as arc flash.

How to Choose the Right Head Protection for Work and Sports

In order to ensure that head protection continues to provide the necessary protection it is important to inspect it regularly. This should be done daily and the shell, suspension system and padding for cracks, dents and cuts. Inspecting the interior cushioning for wear and compression is particularly important as this can reduce its ability to absorb impacts and may lead to a lower level of protection.

It is important to note that CSA standard Z94.1-15 (R2020), Industrial protective headwear – performance, selection, care and use, does not indicate specific colours for different types of jobs. However, some work sites have established colour coding guidelines in order to help distinguish between different roles or experience levels on the job.