If you wear a hard hat for a living, this one’s for you.
Most of us put our hardhat on our head, and get on with the job, but there’s a fair bit you should know about the hardhat sitting on your head all day… These things keep you safe, keep you comfy, and makes life under the hat a whole lot less… rough.
Because here’s the truth. A hard hat only does its job when it is being looked after correctly.
This guide breaks it all down, bringing in facts and figures from reputable sources so that you’ve got the jargon and essay-free version for your heads safety.
1. Hard hats have rules, and they matter!
In Australia, hard hats fall under AS/NZS 1801:2024 & 1800:1998 which sets the standard for use of occupational protective helmets as well as the care and maintenance of them.
You don’t need to memorise the whole document, but just know this:
- Your hard hat is engineered to protect you from falling objects and impact
- The suspension system inside is as important as the outer shell
- The design only works properly when the hat is in good condition
- There are 4 types of occupational protective helmets, standard industrial, high temperature helmets, bushfire fighting helmets and the most recent update (2024) the enhanced type 4 occupational protective helmet (not yet available in Australia)
2. Things you should and shouldn’t do with your hardhat
There are a number of things to keep in mind when wearing hard hats
Things you should do:
- Wash your hardhat regularly, warm water and soap are fine. Removal of the harness is recommended for washing
- Inspect your hardhat before use for cracks, dents, frayed straps or another signs of damage (if your hardhat has any of these replace it immediately)
- Dispose of the hardhat immediately if it has sustained any kind of impact (damage does not need to be visible)
- Avoid wearing your hair high on top of your head/styles or headdress for example turbans that can impact the stability of the hardhat.
Things you should NOT do
- No hard hat should be re-issued unless thoroughly cleaned and inspected, if the hardhat is being re-issued to a new person a new harness/retention system should be fitted.
- Purposely drop, throw or use your hardhat to sit on.
- Store objects between the suspension and the shell of the hardhat, if impact occurs, they can cause serious damage to your head (pens, other ppe etc)
- Store hardhats in direct sunlight (prolonged sun exposure can cause degradation to most shells)
- Be conscious of your hardhat coming into contact with paints, solvents, chemicals, adhesives and petrol (these liquids and solutions can deteriorate your hardhat)
- Do not alter, puncture, modify or engrave the shell or the suspension of the hardhat.
3. Replacing your hardhat and its components:
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Hardhat shell – According to AS/NZS 1800:1998 the average lifespan for your hardhat is at least three years from time of issue – always check your hardhat brand and site requirements
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Components of the harness – According to AS/NZS 1800:1998 components of the harness assembly can deteriorate more rapidly, it is recommended to replace these no longer than 2 years from the time of issue.
4. Sweatbands and Hardhats
While there is no standalone standard specific to sweatbands, they are classified as an accessory to industrial safety helmets. As such, accessories and their attachment systems must not reduce or interfere with the safety performance of the helmet.
Our sweatbands are designed to wrap around the headband section of the helmet’s internal harness only. They do not modify, obstruct, or replace any component of the helmet and do not affect its protective characteristics.
The sweatbands are intended solely to improve wearer comfort and hygiene through regular replacement, while maintaining full compliance with the helmet’s original safety performance.
The takeaway?
- Know when to replace your hard hat and its components
- Clean your hard hat regularly
- Understand the correct use, care, and limitations of your hard hat
A few things to note:
- Depending on your worksite or company, there may be specific timelines for hard hat use and replacement
- Hard hat manufacturers may also specify service life or replacement timelines for their products
- If you are unsure about any aspect of hard hat use, care, or maintenance, always consult your on-site safety personnel
If you want a deep dive into the official safety standards, head on over here for the full versions:
AS/NZS 1801:2024.
AS/NZS 1800:1998.
