Hard Hats and colour coding

Hard Hats – What’s in a colour?

Previous changes in legislation, including the revocation of the Construction (Head Protection) Regulations 1989 puts the use of hard hats under the control of the Personal Protective Equipment Regulations 1992.

Looking specifically at the use of hard hats led me to consider why there are different colours and what if anything those colours signified. I have not found two lists that are the same, and in one case a single colour seemed to signify any one of two trades and different levels of seniority on the same site!!(White: Foreman, plumbers and electricians). Across other lists, blue appeared to be electricians, supervisors or medical staff; red was safety officer or fire warden and blue was electricians. Also, some hats were used to signify competence for a particular role or seniority.

In short, there is no recognised or published colour coding for hard hats. The only situation which may give rise to a system is if a particular site introduced a system as part of its site rules and included this in its induction process. With this in mind, there would then need to be consideration to supplying the information ahead of operatives arrival to site so that they could arrange to purchase the correct headgear or have a supply available to hand out to operatives upon arrival. This, in turn, may not be the end of the story, as there needs to be consideration on how this will then be enforced, what is to stop operatives borrowing each other’s hats or picking up the nearest one regardless of colour.
Let us consider the primary reason for the hard hat

The use of hard hats in the workplace to protect against head injury when the risk of injury cannot be eliminated by other means. Your head is the most important part of your body. You think, feel, talk, smell, and hear with your head. Therefore, it makes sense that you should protect your head from any injury. Wearing a hard hat is the first line of defence against head injuries on the job. A hard hat can protect your head against the hazard of falling material and guard against accidental bumping. The hard hat softens any blow to the head. It resists and deflects the blow and distributes the impact over a large area. The hat’s suspension acts as a shock absorber. Even if the hat dents or shatters, it still takes some of the force out of the blow and off the head. It can also shield scalp, face, neck, and shoulders against spills or splashes. It is important that sweat bands and suspension straps by properly adjusted to obtain the maximum protection. Sunlight and heat can rot the sweatband and straps.

The hat should be checked regularly for cracks, gouges, and frays or breaks in the straps. It is important to choose the hard hat most suitable for the work being performed and to wear only approved hard hats manufactured to meet required standards.

Conclusion

Use Your Head, Wear Your Hard Hat. The primary reason for wearing a hard hat is the prevention of injury to the head. Regardless of colour, the correct hat, correctly adjusted and correctly worn will achieve its primary purpose – anything else, be it to signify rank or duties should be treated as incidental, and will almost certainly require more monitoring and control to be useful.

Talk to us about the hard hats and construction safety. We can help you to understand the appropriate use of hard hats and the safe management of your construction site.

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