Welcome Guest! The IOSH forums are a free resource to both members and non-members. Login or register to use them

Postings made by forum users are personal opinions. IOSH is not responsible for the content or accuracy of any of the information contained in forum postings. Please carefully consider any advice you receive.

Notification

Icon
Error

Options
Go to last post Go to first unread
SteveForrest  
#1 Posted : 28 May 2019 09:31:22(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
SteveForrest

I am aware this has probably been asked before, but looking for some advice on the wearing of hoodies on construction sites, in particular use when hardhats are worn.

The obvious risk associated with hoodies is the snagging issue as it is a loose piece of material, often with drawstrings as well. Then there is the reduced visibility and movement.

Once you include the wearing of a hardhat, would this increase the problems as the hardhat manufacturers probably don't test with hoodies worn, so does this go against guidelines.

Your thoughts would be appreciated.

Roundtuit  
#2 Posted : 28 May 2019 10:02:59(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
Roundtuit

Given the raft of under helmet garments commercially available for cold/wet weather working the hard hat itslef would not be compromised providing it is being worn in line with maufacturer fitting instruction.

Why are hoodies being worn if the employer is providing suitable workwear?

I do not see snagging as limited to hoodies - poorly sized/selected Hi-Vis and particularly vests with gaping arm holes are often much worse for catching on door handles and scaffold poles

thanks 2 users thanked Roundtuit for this useful post.
A Kurdziel on 30/09/2020(UTC), A Kurdziel on 30/09/2020(UTC)
Roundtuit  
#3 Posted : 28 May 2019 10:02:59(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
Roundtuit

Given the raft of under helmet garments commercially available for cold/wet weather working the hard hat itslef would not be compromised providing it is being worn in line with maufacturer fitting instruction.

Why are hoodies being worn if the employer is providing suitable workwear?

I do not see snagging as limited to hoodies - poorly sized/selected Hi-Vis and particularly vests with gaping arm holes are often much worse for catching on door handles and scaffold poles

thanks 2 users thanked Roundtuit for this useful post.
A Kurdziel on 30/09/2020(UTC), A Kurdziel on 30/09/2020(UTC)
SteveForrest  
#4 Posted : 28 May 2019 10:15:09(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
SteveForrest

Thanks for the reply.

My thoughts agree on the wearing of the hardhat, a hoodie would compromise the recomendations.

We currently provide jumpers etc, but have requests for hoodies and are weighing up the options.

Also, we are involved in the facilities inductry and a number of our engineers work in plantroom, above ceilings etc and this is where my concern would be snagging.

Thanks for the note on poor fitting hi-vis, definately can be an issue.

Stern  
#5 Posted : 28 May 2019 10:33:59(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
Stern

Working on site, we would often get people wearing beanies under their hardhats, which our site rules prohibited. However in most cases these beanies were thin material (not thick, fleecy lined ones), and as was often pointed out by the disgruntled wearer, there was often no real difference between what they were wearing and "proper" hard hat liners in terms of how they affected the fit of the hard hat. 

Whilst we had to enforce the rules, i could certainly appreciate where they were coming from and "Sorry mate, those are the rules, don't shoot the messenger" was our usual go to line in those situations.

The hoodies though we were 100% against. Not necessarily because of the hardhat fit issue, but becuase of the negative effect on the wearer's peripheral vision. Something which is often not considered.

Edited by user 28 May 2019 12:40:30(UTC)  | Reason: Spelling and punctuation

Oxford  
#6 Posted : 11 June 2019 15:06:28(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
Oxford

I've been on a number of sites recently where the only item allowed to worn under a hard hat is a standard liner - hoodies are specifically banned in their site rules.

I suspect another reason for banning hoodies is that becomes harder to see whether the worker is actually wearing headphones under his hoodie which of course is against all site rules everywhere

Dave5705  
#7 Posted : 12 June 2019 06:58:37(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
Dave5705

Going back to the OP Steve, I think Stern got it right. The peripheral vision point is extremely valid. I mean, would you allow safety glasses which had 'blinkered' sides which obscured view? Of course not, unless the wearer had specific sight issues which required them and you would need to RA that. Hoodie hoods don't always turn when the wearer turns their head, thus obscuring even more view. I think they present a significant risk.

With the number of excellent and quite stylish liners now available, I can't see any reason for wearing a hoodie, though of course, you must provide them if they are needed for exposure to cold or such. 

Roundtuit  
#8 Posted : 12 June 2019 08:52:44(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
Roundtuit

But for impact resistance we do insist on the use of safety googles - many of which do blinker the wearer - relying on the face stand off to achieve the neceassry impact rating and not having clear optical sides.

Roundtuit  
#9 Posted : 12 June 2019 08:52:44(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
Roundtuit

But for impact resistance we do insist on the use of safety googles - many of which do blinker the wearer - relying on the face stand off to achieve the neceassry impact rating and not having clear optical sides.

Dave5705  
#10 Posted : 12 June 2019 11:27:41(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
Dave5705

Originally Posted by: Roundtuit Go to Quoted Post

But for impact resistance we do insist on the use of safety googles - many of which do blinker the wearer - relying on the face stand off to achieve the neceassry impact rating and not having clear optical sides.

We do Roundtuit. But isn't that because the benefit outweighs the cost (in terms of loss of vision). A hoodie has no benefit over other garments in terms of warmth, but has s significant impact on vision.

I have many times seen youngsters driving with a hoodie up! Face buried like a sleeping turtle. Talk about tunnel vision.

SteveForrest  
#11 Posted : 13 June 2019 11:31:09(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
SteveForrest

Many thanks for all the replies.

Definately gives me food for thought.

brendandoggett35  
#12 Posted : 29 September 2020 14:31:12(UTC)
Rank: New forum user
brendandoggett35

I like to wear hoodies with trouser. Recently I purchased hoodies for men at https://btsmerchandise.net/hoodies/ and This is one of the best place to buy hoodies online.

Yossarian  
#13 Posted : 29 September 2020 14:58:46(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
Yossarian

Looks like the Bots have breached Captcha.

This should be fun to watch!

Roundtuit  
#14 Posted : 29 September 2020 15:06:05(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
Roundtuit

Double whammy - commercial advertising on the iosh site AND a breach of the T&C's of the site being hyperlinked (no links without permission)

Roundtuit  
#15 Posted : 29 September 2020 15:06:05(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
Roundtuit

Double whammy - commercial advertising on the iosh site AND a breach of the T&C's of the site being hyperlinked (no links without permission)

Users browsing this topic
You cannot post new topics in this forum.
You cannot reply to topics in this forum.
You cannot delete your posts in this forum.
You cannot edit your posts in this forum.
You cannot create polls in this forum.
You cannot vote in polls in this forum.