Rank: Forum user 
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We're having a discussion about the pros and cons of Bump Caps and wanted to see what others thought about their use.
We are a fit-out contractor so have ceiling fitters and then other contractors who often need to work above the ceilings.
I appreciate that in this "above ceiling" scenario where the real risk is bumping your head against something, bump caps could be a suitable option but feel that introducing them would lead to confusion on site. Why is he allowed a bump cap & have to wear a hard hat......... and subsequently a more difficult task for our site managers enforcing the rules.
We would also end up with operatives completing their "above ceiling" task and then walking around site with just a bump cap when a Hard Hat is the most suitable option.
What do others think - Anyone else allow bump caps on site ??
Thanks
Andy
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Rank: Super forum user 
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Andy
There are certain tasks and environments where using a conventional hard hat is all but impossible. I can think of two scenarios, one where I gave a dispensation for electricians working at ceiling height and the other was by the client for those working inside electrical isolation boxes predominately in the open.
There are issues especially when working on construction sites where there is a blanket rule for hard hats - some people do get paranoid about even a minor indiscretion. I have no doubt some people will point out what does the RA say? However RAs don't take into account dexterity issues and inconvenience. It is my view that bump caps should be allowed in prescribed circumstances where a conventional hard hat is not a suitable piece of kit and the risks of objects falling are much lower.
Ray
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Rank: Forum user
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Hi Ray
Thanks for your response.
Agreed.
I'm thinking some of request procedure for a acquiring a bump cap from the Site Manager in specific circumstances might be an way to proceed.
Thanks again
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Rank: New forum user
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Hi
It may depend also on whether or not you have a union,
we had an issue regards eye protection (different subject i know)
A blanket for wearing eye protection throughout our industry was implemented reasons never made clear.
The eye protection did not go down well with employees, and it was asked why we can't have designated safe zones.
Management were quick to reply and said to the union if you are willing to take on the liability to de-risk the areas then so be it.
The unions refused.
Hard hats on a construction site are tried and tested and have become the norm for a long time now, it would be difficult to de-risk certain areas for non-wearing of hard hats and replace them with bump caps, although it would make sense, all it would take is as you mentioned would be one person exiting a building or other and being struck on the head with anything.
I don't think it would be worth the risk, leave well alone.
hope this helps.
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Rank: Super forum user 
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What HSE says:
If there is no risk of injury to the head, then hard hats are not required by law. However, on almost all construction sites, despite controls being put in place, there will almost always be situations where a risk of head injury remains. Where there are such risks, for example, from falling objects or hitting the head against something, suitable head protection should be provided and worn (except for turban-wearing Sikhs). Where turban-wearing Sikhs are working in areas where a significant residual risk of head injury remains, employers should pay particular attention to the control measures that they have in place.
So...........Helmets* are by no means legally compulsory and bump caps have a place.
*Like all PPE they are at the bottom of the risk control hierarchy are only there to control residual risk.
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Rank: Forum user
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We use both as per our risk assessment. If there is a risk of goods falling, then we use hard hats. If there is a risk of banging your head, then bump caps instead. I think it all depends on your risk assessment, not what employees think or would like.
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Rank: Super forum user
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walker has provided advice which I was alluding to in my post - hard hats are not compulsory even on construction sites by law. The problem is trying to de-risk something is not easy, there will always be an element of risk and justifying this because of inconvenience or dexterity issues is difficult. Once again it is all too easy for someone to say - no.
As for RAs, you can make an RA say just about whatever you want. If only Carlsberg did RAs...
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Rank: Super forum user
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there is a place for everything and everything has its place -------- used bump hats on many an occasion however your management needs to be good and that's the problem having good management!
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Rank: New forum user
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No matter what you try to apply there will always be the ones who moan or question the "why do I have to wear this and he doesn't" this is an issue regardless of industry.
R/A would, typically, state that "Appropriate PPE must be worn at all times" this is where you can use a risk profile to develop a PPE plan for your work areas and break your generic risk assessments into job specific assessments and you can justify the use of bump caps.
Use your safety meetings or tool box talks to inform your staff of the PPE plan and have it posted on your notice boards and indicated in your PPE procedure.
You will still get a negative response from the usual suspects but that's human nature. At the end of the day you have the duty of care and you are the hazard and risk control expert, its how you communicate with your staff that defines their "by in"
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