Posted By Neil R
Far as i know there aren't any issues. We've been using induction stickers on hard hats for years with no problems

Posted By Coshh Assessor
The HSE guidance L25 says:

76 (g)
Do not customise head protection, eg make your own ventilation holes, paint, mark or put stickers on it.

But it doesn't seem to include a justification.

Posted By KayS
Thankyou all, very helpful. The problem was operatives refusing to stop decorating their helmets, often with paint, which as well as being detrimental to the helmet, also looks terrible. We are checking that our logo sticker adhesive is OK with the manufacturer and are then going to ban all other unapproved decoration.

Thanks again.

Posted By Craig Neville
Adding stickers on to hard hats is fundamentally a fairly low risk activity.

However decorating them with paint etc... is childish and should be dealt with via the HR route not by the H&S advisor. Its on the same level as calendars in mess rooms ie. not very professional.

Posted By A Campbell
Not heard of a professional mess room.... especially on construction and offshore sites... where the majority would be in possession of a hard hat!

Posted By Garry Mcglaid
Hi Kay,

The more i read on the forums the less competent i deem myself to be, and i worry about the career choice i have taken.

I get the fact the stickers / paints may hide defects on the hard hat, and i also fully accept the fact that markings on company attire do not transmit the correct image or corporate message, but what i struggle to see is the opinion that a sticker on the helmet, will compromise the integriy of the helmet to such an extent it should concern me safety wise.



In what instance ?

When would the Kilo Newtons of a falling object be substantially increased or decreased due to the adhesive from a sticker?

I would like to ask this question to all Health & Safety professionals

Would any Health & Safety professional refuse entry to a site, from an employee or sub-contractor due to a sticker on a helemt?

I give stickers to all staff i induct on site,and i request them to stick them on their hat!!

Call me old fashioned, but id rather know at a glance all staff on sites of upwards of 200 have recieved a good induction, rather than be concerned of the minimal effect a 20mm x 40mm adhesive sticker will cause.

But as i always say, horses for courses, onwards and upwards

Garry

Posted By Alex.wilkes
In my honest opinion there are a lot more concerns to worry about than whether to place a sticker on a helmet. I would rather reduce or illiminate the hazards as far as practicable so the integrity of the helmet will not become an issue.
In my company stickers are allowed but the use of paints and marker pens are forbidden.

Alex

Posted By stephen d clarke
Hi,
Agree with Dave Merchant probably because I am a chemist by profession but hard hats are made of a variety of different plastic materials including polycarbonate, acrylontitrile-butadiene-stryrene (ABS), low density polyethylene and high density polyethylene. The BS EN standards which specify their performance note that you should not apply paint, solvents, adhesives or self-adhesive labels except in accordance with manufacturers' recommendations, HSE guidance says the same. If labels are needed I think you should contact the manufacturers for advice, I guess the risk is low but its easily avoided.
Steve

Posted By Garry Mcglaid
Honest answers please,

Have any of us ever refused a contractor or employee entry to a site becaues of an induction sticker on a helmet?

I do take on board the comments of my esteemed colleagues very seriously, however as stated previous, i dont believe its a hazard on site that would concern me to any great degree.

Garry