Anyone using bump caps
We use the standard hard hats, but have had some complaints about the traditional hats being too bulky. We don’t let people use bump caps since they don’t offer the same level of protection, but I wanted to ping the group to see if anyone has any insight on using bump caps. Have you found that your workers like the bump caps more, or are you more partial to traditional hats?
Comments (5)
Bump caps are commonly used in Alberta Canada by workers who work in tight spaces... it is in our ohs legislation as allowed ... used i.e. by mechanics in a shop working under equipment, welders use them under their face shields
when doing overhead welds on a pipeline, or workers in a crawl spaces installing loose insulation. The protection is good if they work under or in engineered structures with no one working overhead and no chance for items to fall on them. They protect a worker from minor head bumps when they make small moves in tight spaces....
They are stylish lightweight but they don’t provide any real protection if something was to fall from overhead the bump cap has no shock absorber in it so it won’t provide any protection for your neck also it’s not ANSI so it’s probably weak and easily to crack I could see using them if there weren’t any overhead hazards or any possibility for head injury also OSHA sets guidelines and standards you company should always follow best practices and set there policy and procedures higher than OSHA
Very simply, my understanding is that if there is potential for a head injury then an ANSI certified hard hat is required. Bump caps aren’t ANSI certified.
Refer to this OSHA clarification:
https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/standardinterpretations/1983-08-23-0
From this clarification:
...The OSHA standards 29 CFR 1926.100 for construction and 29 CFR 1910.132 and 1910.135 for general industry (copies enclosed) outline the requirements for head protection. The standards require that head protection be used whenever it is necessary by reason of hazard of processes or environment that could cause head injuries.
The employer must determine which employees are exposed to possible head injury hazards, and assure that they wear appropriate head protection. Where employees are not exposed to possible head injuries, head protection is not required by OSHA standards. An employer may choose to require the wearing of head protection by certain employees or in certain activities at all times as a precautionary measure, although this may be a matter subject to labor/management negotiation.
OSHA has no exhaustive guidelines for determining whether head protection is required, this must be done on a case-by-case basis, depending on the specific operation, worksite, potential hazards, and other circumstances...
