Hard Hat & Bump Cap
Protecting workers from potential injuries is a critical part of any workplace safety program, especially in construction, manufacturing, or other hazardous industries, where serious head injuries are risks.
Head injuries are certainly catastrophic, and there has to be a proper injury prevention mechanism in workplaces. When you think of a PPE for head protection, hard hats, and bump caps are usually the first things that come to mind. They are the effective head injury prevention solution provided in workplaces.
As per the Labor Statistics Bureau, over 40000 head injuries occur from work in different sectors every year. Besides, a worker’s injury will cost businesses more in the long run than the head protection itself. So, wearing hard hats or bump caps is important to prevent life-threatening head injuries.
Hard hats and bump caps are designed to protect the head and prevent head injuries in the workplace. They are two types of head protection gears used in different situations, and hazards workers may encounter. They both perform different types of safety functions.
Choosing the correct type of head protection gear is important to prevent head injuries. So, it is vital to understand the difference between them.
The Difference Between Hard Hats & Bump Caps
Hard Hats
Hard hats are safety equipment designed to protect from object-generated impact. They are made of rigid materials such as metal, polymer, or fiberglass to protect the wearers from debris and flying or moving objects which could hit workers while working and cause potential head injuries. They have a protective suspension system inside to help spread out the force of impact over the top of the head.
Hard hats are usually worn on construction and utility work sites. They withstand major impact to protect the workers’ heads from impact. Hard hats also protect workers in extreme temperatures.
Bump Caps
Bump caps are another essential piece of PPE used for safety purposes in industries. In contrast to hard hats, they are designed to protect wearers from the worker-generated impact, like minor head bumps or lacerations, but not from flying objects. Bump caps also protect against sharp objects and cold temperatures.
They are built around a padded, impact-resistant plastic shell and are less obstructive than hard hats. Bump caps look like baseball caps and are designed to provide comfortable and lightweight protection to workers against impacts.
Bump caps can be used when there is a risk of impact between the head and immovable objects like low ceilings, overhead piping, or the underside of a vehicle. The injuries may not be disastrous but could be harmful and expensive.
The removable safety insert in the bump caps protects the wearers’ heads from impacts caused due to immovable objects.
Both hard hats and bump caps have safety requirements designed as per the standards, and they provide a sufficient level of head protection. What needs for work depends on the potential hazards the workers are exposed to.
Hard Hats or Bump Caps- Which is Right for Your Job?
Bump Caps
People working in tight, confined spaces can wear bump caps, whereas hard hats are ideal for working in open construction sites where debris or flying objects are a common hazard.
Hard hats may become hindrances to workers while working in tight quarters such as under skins or crawl spaces because they’re like to bump their head while navigating beneath overhead plumbing, hanging hazards, or low ceilings.
Some Applications Where Bump Caps Used Include
- In-home service employees
- Airline Workers
- Manufacturing & Assembly
- Mechanics &
- Food Processing
- Things to Look for in a Bump Cap
Consider the below things while purchasing a bump cap for you or your employees.
- Lightweight shell with padded foam for comfort
- Strategic venting to avoid overheating
- Impact and puncture resistance
- Hands-free LED lighting
- Brim length options
Remember that bump caps should never be used where hard hats are required as both are tested to different standards. One of the most popular bump caps in the market is from Safe Handler’s Bump Cap with 4 Point Pin Lock Suspension, HDPE Cap Style.
Bump caps are a low-cost, effective preventive solution against bumps, bruises, or scrapes in workplaces. Look for fit, performance, and comfort while choosing to buy one.
Hard Hats
People working in an environment where they could sustain potential head injuries should wear a hard hat. The injuries could be caused by a flying piece of debris, a falling brick or tool, hitting your head on a beam, or working near an electrical hazard.
OSHA recommends hard hats for employees working in industries where there is a possible danger of head injuries from electrical shock or burns and falling objects.
The applications where hard hats can be used include:
- Construction sites
- Mining
- Forestry
- Oil & Gas
- At-heights Work
- Road Work &
- General Sitework
Things to Look for in a Hard Hat
Hard hats are available in various shapes, types, colors, classes, or styles. The work you do, and your environment majorly determine the kind of hard hat you should use.
The major types of hard hats include Type I, Type II, Class E, Class G, and Class C. They vary according to various types of work in industries.
One of the top-rated hard hats in the market is Impact Pro Safety Hard Hat, HDPE Sweatband, 4 Point Ratchet Suspension from Safe Handler.
As per the OSHA requirements, hard hats must resist penetration caused by objects, absorb the shock from a blow to a head, be water-resistant, and be slow to burn. Look for OSHA-approved hard hats with the minimum criteria established by ANSI and ISEA.
Look for more hard hats and bump caps options in Bison Life. We provide high-quality safety equipment at affordable costs and have the largest selection of these head protection gears.
FAQs:
A hard hat should be worn in areas where there is a potential danger of head injury due to falling objects, electrical shock, or burns. It is mostly used in construction sites where tools and materials could fall and cause head injuries.
A hard hat should be replaced every five years as per the general safety guideline. However, the hard hats should be replaced after two years where the environment is prone to include sunlight or chemicals and higher exposure to extreme temperatures.
Hard hats exposed to sunlight or UV light and chemicals can get damaged over time, even though some manufacturers add UV inhibitors to hard hat shells. The shell may become dull, chalky, and less flexible to use. A hard hat should be replaced immediately when an object sticks it.
Bump hats are used in small and confined spaces where workers could get bumped by immovable objects like low-ceiling, overhead pumping, etc. They are worn to protect in low-risk situations to reduce exposure to abrasions, lacerations, and other minor bumps.
A bump cap should be used in places with a potential risk of head injury caused due to immovable objects, like overhead piping, under-sink areas, etc. It is used in industries like warehousing, manufacturing, transportation, and other places where workers are confined in tight spaces.
A bump cap helps workers prevent minor head injuries involving scrapes and avoid bumps while working in small spaces.
Remove the insert from the bump cap, cut along the recess line, and reinsert the shell. There are several YouTube videos available, which demonstrate how to wear a bump cap. Watch the videos for more clarification.
Wearing hard hats is important to protect oneself from possible head injuries in the construction or other hazardous workplaces like welding, electrical, or plumbing industries. They are designed to protect against the head from falling objects or debris and electrical shock or burns.
