REGULAR MAINTENANCE ASSURES INTEGRITY OF SAFETY HELMETS.

The familiar hard hat is widely acknowledged as one of the most important items of protective equipment worn by employees in industry today. The Industrial Safety Equipment Association (ISEA) points out, however, that the care and maintenance of the hard hat cannot be ignored if it is to continue to supply the protection for which it is designed. Its useful life is affected not only by normal use, but also by various environmental factors - heat, cold, chemicals, and ultra-violet rays. The protective hat or cap consists of two basic components. The shell and the suspension. They work together as a system. Both need regular inspection and maintenance, and procedures for doing this are discussed in the article.