I have heard some stories/rumours regarding a standardisation of the colour of hard hats used on construction sites, from what I can find this appears to be Prinipal Contractors own rules and possible a joined up approach but I keep getting told there may be some HSE guidance coming out. Has anyone heard anything definitive about this or have a link to formal guidance.

Build UK are pushing the standardisation of hard hat colours at construction sites

Any HSE involvement would likely come under an initiative such as Working Well Together as this would not directly impact upon other industry and their practices e.g. RailTrack already strictly prescribe PPE for use line side.

Unless they intend to resurrect "The Construction (Head Protection) Regulations 1989".

I went to a presentation recently that discussed this was coming in with Build UK and the larger (awkward!) clients.

http://www.constructionenquirer.com/2016/05/11/coloured-hard-hats-to-make-sites-safer/

Back hard hats for saupervisors.

I wonder what idiot came up with that one then. So the supervisors and high and mighty are those who, from any appreciable distance, appear NOT to be wearing hard hats?

Oh, wait a minute - that's often the case anyway................................

Is your avatar going to become Build UK compliant?

The Build UK hard hat colours have been embedded into the Highways England "Raising the Bar 31 - Safety Helmet Colours" issued in September this year.

"First Aid" and "Fire Marshal" stickers are permitted to be added where appropriate.

Originally Posted by: Kloppite

So, if an agency worker turns up on-site on his first day at work with the wrong colour hat, will they be refused access to site ?

Some contractors are reluctant to permit agency workers start unless they have their own PPE.

This sounds like a pendants charter:is that organge red or amber? What shade of blue?

And how exactly will it improve safety?

Originally Posted by: A Kurdziel

This sounds like a pendants charter:is that organge red or amber? What shade of blue?

I suspect you thought that was a rhetorical and/or joking question, however, with respect to Network Rail the blue required is Pantone 2935c.  It's specified in Network Rail standard NR/L2/OHS/021, thought it does say that "a shade similar to PANTONE 2935c blue may also be used if the safety helmet manufacturer selected cannot provide this exact shade."

We have once had someone refused access to site because their hat was the wrong shade of blue.  That was early on when the system was mandated.  It doesn't seem to be a problem now.

Originally Posted by: Pauline Palmer

The Scottish Construction Group a member of UK Build, have confirmed specific hat colours to be used on Construction sites for its members and the following has been issued;

Red/orange - slinger, signaller, banksman

Black - Supervisor

White - Manager or Competent Person (I have interpreted this as qualified tradesman)

Blue - anyone who doesn't not fit into the above categories, ie Apprentice or Labourer etc.

I have had only one principal contractor issue any paperwork to enforce this so far.  I have also had another PC who currently enforces their own colour hats on their sites(red), who is now willing to allow us to work complying to the UK Build guidance.  BUT no news re HSE.

Yellow = visiting politician (same colour as archery target bullseye!)