A guide to construction hard hats - NBS

Whether involved in building or civil engineering projects, work at onshore or offshore industrial sites, or an occasional visitor, the hard hat &#; or safety helmet &#; is an essential item of safety equipment. This article gives a brief overview of the principal features, legislation and guidelines surrounding its maintenance and use.

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The importance of wearing a hard hat

Construction work is a high-risk activity, and accidents can occasionally happen even on the most diligent worksites. Head injuries can come from various sources: falling objects, fixed objects like unprotected ends of scaffolding poles or other projections and areas with restricted headroom. Wearing a hard hat can prevent or reduce the severity of a head injury.

To enhance protection, hard hats may also incorporate several valuable features:

• A peak to prevent dazzling
• A rain gutter
• Ventilation holes or replaceable sweatbands
• Chinstrap or chin guard
• Removable visor
• Integrated earmuffs to protect hearing
• Chemical and heat resistance for working in high-risk environments
• A worker alert system/ proximity sensor with buzzer alarm mounted on the back of the helmet that uses GPS and RFID technology to help prevent collisions between personnel and machines

What hard hat's colour means

Build UK is the UK construction industry's primary representative organisation, representing over 40% of our industry. They act as the first point of contact for numerous organisations, including the Construction Leadership Council, Institute for Apprenticeships, HSE, and various other government organisations, with partnerships including CITB, Department for Work and Pensions, and the Construction Innovation Hub.

Since January , Build UK has mandated members' construction sites use a specific hard hat colour system. The purpose is to eliminate confusion and make identifying individuals according to their role and safety qualifications easier.

• Black indicates site supervisors.
• White is for site managers, competent operatives and vehicle marshals.
• Slingers and signallers wear orange.
• Blue is for everyone else, including apprentices and visitors. These individuals shouldn't be working alone or wandering around the site unsupervised.
• A green hat or sticker signifies a first aider.
• A red hat or sticker means they are a fire marshal.

It's important to note that, while these colours are the industry recognised standard, some non-Build UK affiliated sites may use different colour coding. For instance, Network Rail only uses white and blue safety helmets on site.

Additional indicators and requirements

• Coloured high-visibility vests can identify additional roles. For instance, vehicle marshals will wear a white hard hat but use a distinctive coloured vest.
• Some sites use reflective markings and role-specific decals (e.g., first aiders (green decal) and fire marshals (red decal)).
• All hard hats used in the UK must be manufactured to BS EN 397.

The law and hard hats

In , hard hats became compulsory under certain circumstances. They and other personal protective equipment (PPE) are considered essential for managing risks that other means cannot control. Legislation and guidance surrounding PPE includes:

Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations (as amended) Personal Protective Equipment Regulations /425 Personal Protective Equipment (Enforcement) Regulations Regulation /425 and the Personal Protective Equipment (Enforcement) Regulations (Guidance v4), which applies to equipment supplied from 01 April .

Note that other regulations may trump areas cited above where hard hats are not required. For instance, both the Control of Asbestos at Work Regulations and COSHH Regulations take precedent and hard hats are still mandatory even where other laws have changed.

Debunking ten hard hat myths

1. I must wear a hard hat every time I visit a building site. Hard hats are only required as needed. If a site risk assessment hasn't identified any head injury risks, then you don't need to wear one unless specific construction site rules dictate otherwise.
2. I don't need to wear one when on a domestic construction site. That depends on risk assessment findings. If the assessment identifies the potential for a head injury, then hard hats are mandatory regardless of the nature of the construction work or the size of the project.
3. I only need to wear my hard hat when the site manager is nearby. Hard hats protect you from suffering a potentially fatal head injury. The risk is still there when the site manager isn't.
4. I can use a hard hat that I acquired abroad. Hard hats used on UK construction sites must be manufactured to BS EN 397, which includes rigorous tests for impact resistance and flame retardance, among others. Foreign hats may not conform to this British Standard or offer the level of protection required, so you cannot use one on a UK project site.
5. I must wear a hard hat even though it discriminates against my religion. Employment Act , as amended by Section 6 of the Deregulation Act , exempts Sikhs wearing turbans from compulsory hard hat use. However, this is a limited exception and does not extend to areas where head protection is deemed essential or wearing other PPE.
6. I don't have to provide my hard hat; one will be provided for me. Employees and construction site visitors should be provided with a hard hat by either their employer or the main contractor; however, self-employed workers (including subcontractors) may need to provide their own.
7. A hard hat is the only safety equipment I need on a construction site. Once again, it depends on the risk assessment findings and what identified hazards exist. Additional equipment may include gloves, steel toe-capped boots, ear defenders, goggles, respirator, high-visibility vest or jacket, or other protection.
8. I'm only doing a quick task, so I don't need to bother with a hard hat. Accidents happen without warning at any time, with potentially disastrous consequences. You should never take the risk.
9. All hard hats are colour coded according to job function. While Build UK has made certain colours mandatory for specific jobs and those colours are industry recognised, there will be instances when a construction site operates using its colour system. Therefore, it is always good to check.
10. My hard hat will last me for as long as I work. At a minimum, you should replace hard hats every five years even if there is no apparent damage. The label inside of the plastic outer shell may also offer specific manufacturer recommendations.

Some hard hats dos and don'ts

• Do make sure that your hard hat is manufactured to BS EN 397. This should be stamped either on the back or inside of the helmet. There should also be a conformity mark.
• Don't wear a hard hat if it's damaged.
• Do check your hard hat regularly for signs of damage, including the inner lining and chin strap.
• Don't put it down anywhere that it could be damaged or lost.
• Do make sure that your hard hat fits properly. If it's too loose, then adjust the strap at the back of the internal lining.
• Don't wear anything else under your hard hat, such as a wool or fleece thermal hat. It could prevent your hat from fitting securely.
• Do look after your hard hat; it could save your life.
• Don't wear a hard hat that's been exposed to chemicals; they could weaken the plastic and reduce its strength.
• Do clean your hat with warm, soapy water.
• Don't fix non-approved stickers on your hat or write on it.

This piece is based on articles written by Anthony Lymath () and Richard McPartland () for theNBS.com.

Additional reading

An employer's guide to personal protective equipment: Employers are responsible for providing personal protective equipment and ensuring it is used appropriately in the workplace.

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Does the law require head protection on construction sites?

For the vast majority of cases yes - on almost all construction sites the risks of head injury are such that the law requires head protection to be worn.

Construction work should be organised to minimise this risk, for example: preventing objects falling by using scaffolds with toe boards and, if necessary, brick guards.  But if after organising work to minimise the risk of head injury, the risks still remain, you should:

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• Ensure all workers are provided with, and wear, suitable head protection.
  This is necessary to comply with the Personal Protective Equipment Regulations which, from 6 April applies to the provision and wearing of head protection on construction sites following the revocation of the Construction (Head Protection) Regulations .

• Hard hats: What you need to know as a busy builder
• Hard Hats on Construction Sites

What is 'suitable' head protection?

Head protection should:

• be in good condition.  If it's damaged, throw it away
• fit the person wearing it and be worn properly
• not stop you wearing hearing protectors as well (when needed)
• only be obtained from a reputable supplier &#; there are fake hard hats on the market

How can I ensure head protection is worn?

• by making it a site rule
• always wearing your hard hat to set an example
• checking others are wearing theirs

Are there exemptions to the wearing of head protection for specific religious groups?

Yes. Section 11(1) of the Employment Act as amended by Section 6 of the Deregulation Act exempts turban-wearing Sikhs from any legal requirement to wear a safety helmet in a workplace, including a construction site. The exemption applies only to head protection and turban-wearing Sikhs should wear other required personal protective equipment. This exemption applies to any turban-wearing Sikh eg visitors, employees; there is no such exemption for Sikhs who choose not to wear a turban or for other religious groups.

Are safety helmets compulsory?

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.

Is it okay to wear shorts on a construction site?

If the site has a policy on clothing that does not allow shorts then you are expected to follow this rule. 

Clothing needs to protect against hazards on site.  The main reason for protecting the lower legs is to help guard against cuts, grazes and splinters etc in an environment where any skin damage can lead to infection.  Some trades need to keep skin covered for other reasons - eg arc welders are exposed to high levels of ultra violet light that will cause skin damage.

During summer on very bright days it is important to protect against over exposure to sunlight which can cause skin cancer.  Cases of malignant melanoma have increased dramatically in recent years. 

During cold weather it is important to keep warm, especially when, for example, working at height where the cold can distract and lead to loss of concentration. 

Do I have to wear safety footwear on a construction site?

Yes.  Construction workers are expected to wear protective footwear whilst on site and doing heavy work.  The bones in the foot are quite delicate and easily damaged and any muscle or tendon damage can prevent normal movement for several months.  Steel toecaps (or equivalent) protect against dropped objects.  Midsole protection (usually a steel plate) protects against puncture or penetration if you tread on a nail.  If you need to enter or work on a construction site your employer will provide a basic standard of safety footwear.  You do not have to pay for this so long as you look after it and make it last a reasonable time. If there are medical reasons why you cannot wear basic safety footwear your employer will pay for suitable kit.

Ensure any PPE you buy is 'CE' marked and complies with the requirements of the Personal Protective Equipment Regulations . The supplier/manufacturer should be able to tell you if the PPE is suitable for the type of task.

Is it okay to wear rigger boots on a construction site?

Over recent years rigger boots have become popular because they are easy to put on and are a cross between lace up boots and wellingtons.  However some companies have found that wearers of rigger boots are much more likely to suffer twisted or sprained ankle injuries. They think this is because rigger boots are a looser fit and the wearer is less able to prevent the foot from twisting to the side on uneven ground. This is the reason that some contractors will not allow them on site. This is an acceptable argument and you need to understand and comply with this rule.

Lace up boots are not normally suitable for licensed asbestos work within an enclosure.

There is a history of cement burns where cement has gone into the safety shoe or boots and wellington boots may provide more protection for groundwork using cement.

When must high-visibility clothing be worn?

If a construction site has a high-visibility policy then you must follow it.  Your employer will provide the equipment and you do not have to pay for it (so long as you look after it and make it last a reasonable time). 

High-visibility clothing should be worn in all construction locations where vehicles or plant are operating. This includes drivers when they leave their vehicle.  For routine site use it is often sufficient for a tabard (sleeveless top) to be worn. 

Some construction operations - for example temporary traffic management workers need a higher standard of high-visibility. This is because public vehicles are moving nearby at higher speed than most construction plant, meaning that drivers need to see hazards from further away to give them time to react.  Because of this the requirement includes high-visibility long sleeved jacket and high-visibility trousers. 

For more information on the standards that apply to high-vis clothing see the Workplace transport factsheet on clothing.

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