Posted By Kevin Ray
Hello all I'm after some background information if anybody can help.
I have noticed that on a number of hard hat wearing sites many people have started to wear theirs back to front. Despite the fact that it was not designed to be worn this way I am interested to see if there is any case history / horror stories involving the incorrect use of a hard hat in this way. On approach to a few individuals to investigate why they are wearing their hat in this fashion the most popular answers were:

1 - "It won't stay on the other way round"

2 - "The sweat band gets uncomfortable"

and the real biscuit taker

3 - "I don't know. I just do"

I am aware of the design of a hard hat in its correct use and feel that the answers given by the vast majority of individuals I approached was utter rubbish but just telling somebody it isn't doing its job properly wearing it that way is not enough for some people so any help in actually why it isn't doing its job would be much appreciated.

Many Thanks

Kev Ray

Posted By Kevin Ray
Thanks for the response toecap yes at least they are attempting to wear their hat but what I'm trying to ascertain is are they putting themselves at unnecessary risk? if so how? is there any previous case history or known problems in this practice?

Many thanks again.

Kev

Posted By JayJay
Hi Kev !

I was told about a 'brickie' that had been walking along at ground level past scaffolding when somebody knocked a brick off a cache. He got smashed in the face resulting in a broken nose, 2 black eyes and the tip of his nose taken off.When he made a civil claim somebody had stated in a witness statement that he'd had his hard hat on back to front. This resulted in him only getting 50% of his claim as in the eyes of the court it was 'inappropriate use of PPE'. Just wondering though do you mention in the site induction regarding PPE and the wearing of it? You could bring this to their attention and say that they signed to say they clearly understood it and should be adhering to it. Hope that helps you alittle bit !!

Regards JJ

Posted By james mcconway
hi kevin as a scaffolder for 15 years i know lots of guys who would wear there hats back to front for different reasons. so when i became a h&s adviser with my company i get any operative`s which i supply hats to sign the instruction leaflet that's inside and this goes with there induction form. it state`s clearly that the peak of the hat must be facing forward. sorry no horror stories. if this is the way you think will encourage the operative`s to wear their hat properly then make some up. maybe some posters, toolbox talks, etc.

Posted By james mc
hi gary

if you say that to scaffs be sure to have your own hard hat on. stick to bright coloured posters mate

james

Posted By james mc
hi gary

i also have the respect of my scaffs due to the fact you treat guys the way you want to be treated never been behind the shak whats there ? (lol) no mars ether some times you let the guys have there moan 10 min later everybody pals. until fri (pub) you know what a mean mate!

regards james

Posted By Geoff Parkinson
You can buy hard hats that are specifically designed to be worn backwards or either way around. You can also buy them without a peak, which looks the same whatever way you wear it. The hat doesn't have to have a peak :-) Why not provide peakless ones - no chance for staff to wear them incorrectly!

Posted By William O'Donnell
Am I getting old, and irritable. Questions like these, which I normally get from managers/supervisors, stem from a reluctance or an inability to manage! You set your site rules, operatives follow the site rules or go and work for someone else, it really is that simple.

Posted By Kevin Stevens1
Kevin,

Don't know if there is any truth in it, but I was told that if the hard hat was worn backwards, the peak, if struck by a falling object could actually break the wearers neck.

REgards

Kevin

Posted By Rauf
Dear Kevin,

I full agree with the suggestions of forum members exceptionally with David.

Any violence to PPE is really regarded. Unless you don't have set SSOW in your company the PPE will play less role.

I would like to draw attention to my colleagues that PPE will not prevent injuries full. For example safety boots with metal toe and suppler tells that it can take more than 200 kg but imagine the volume of load it will tel that you will loose your full leg rather your finger will be safe.

In my company it is really surprising that you cannot observe someone working without hand gloves.

But hard hat is important one and workers must wear it tightly without any excuse.

Please be strict with PPE it is also will show attitude of workers to general workplace safety.


Be strong you will manage. It is very easy.

Rauf