Surveyor's Hard Hat

The simple quick solution is to put the hat on backwards.

Not on a COE job

I hoped they've changed, but in 1990 I was asked to leave a Corps job because I had my hardhat on backwards.

When I tried to explain that the bill would hit my instrument I got a "deer-in-headlight" look from the Safety Inspector. All he said was, "When you think you can wear it correctly you can return to the site." I was pissed.

Funny thing was we were written up. The big boss called me and asked why I wasn't wearing a hard hat. Told him I was. Apparently the paperwork he received on had "hard hat infraction" checked. I guess they didn't have a box to check that said "brain bucket on backwards".

> The simple quick solution is to put the hat on backwards.
Reverse the suspension in the hat first. I've worn mine this way for years.

For the record, I'm not aware of any brimless hard hats available.

Not on a COE job

> .... in 1990 I was asked to leave a Corps job because I had my hardhat on backwards.
Individual safety inspectors have wide latitude to interpret rules. Sometimes you just have to deal with it.

> Reverse the suspension in the hat first. I've worn mine this way for years.

That's how I used to do it.

Not really on point, but I found this interesting when searching Amazon for a brimless hard hat: http://www.amazon.com/Vulcan-Cowboy-Point-Ratchet-Suspension/dp/B0009ZDC2O/ref=sr_1_32?ie=UTF8&qid=1373820021&sr=8-32&keywords=hard+hat

You see those down here on the prairie. First hombre I ever saw with one was "Joe" the concrete foreman. Don't know why we called him Joe, his real name was Enrique.

Give me 15 minutes, a fine tooth saw blade, and a sanding disk - I could remove a brim that would take careful inspection to determine what I did. Just a suggestion.

Wearing A Hard Hat Backwards

Q. Can I wear my hard hat backward?

A. Check the hard hat for the "reverse donning arrow" marking. The current 2009 edition addresses the issues of reverse wearing of hard hats. The standard now provides a non-mandatory test protocol that will allow manufacturers of hard hats to test the helmet and be marked with the "reverse donning arrow" . This means the hard hat can be worn frontward or backward in accordance with the manufacturer's wearing instructions.

So certain hard hats can be worn backwards.

Paul in PA

Paul

At a safety course put on by an OSHA Training Institute the same question was asked. OSHA's response, "Provide documentation from the manufacturer stating that wearing the hat "backwards" meets all safety standards". It doesn't matter if the webbing is backwards or not, if OSHA standards are not met, the hat must be worn as intended. I completely understand the problem, I've bumped the instrument many times myself, but OSHA doesn't have much of a sense of humor.

Andy

Paul

MSA makes these V-Gard Hardhats,

Options & Specifications
Hardhats with reverse donning logo may be worn backwards without voiding approvals
Slotted for use with MSA accessories and non-slotted available
Sizes: small (6” to 7-1/8”); standard (6-1/2” to 8”); large (7” to 8-1/2”)
Available colors: white, blue, yellow, gray, orange, red, green, hi-viz orange, hi-viz yellow-green, bright lime green, dark blue, gold, robin’s egg blue, brown, silver, tan, black, light buff, purple, pink
Special V-Gard assemblies also available: white w/L/B and C/H (Class C) and white with American flag
Custom imprinting and striping available

http://us.msasafety.com/Head-Protection/Industrial/Helmets/V-Gard%26reg%3B-Protective-Cap/p/000060001300001000

Hard Hat

That is the model hard hat I have worn for the past ten years, I am on my third one. Took a big hit of concrete on the top of one which really fortified my belief in wearing a hard hat.

I think they are the best.

There is a kevlar hard hat with a very short bill which a person can wear without bumping the gun, but I do not think kevlar hats are reasonable as I do not want to spend $140 on a hard hat and like the orange plastic ones just fine. I also like the MSA ones because my safety glasses clip into the attachment slots nicely.

Not on a COE job

I just finished a COE jop in Killeen a few months back, they were the same way there...no exceptions.

I ended up buying one of these, it has a one inch brim in the front. Pretty pricy, over $100.

Not on a COE job

I was hassled about it on a job. I explained why I needed to do it. They finally let me do it BUT only when at the instrument. Backwards any other time was a no-no. I don't want to look stupid all the time anyway!

If The "Reverse Donning Symbol" Is On It

It has passed the OSHA reverse wearing test.

Are you assuming that OSHA inspectors know the OHSA regs?

Paul in PA

Not on a COE job

How about this?

OSHA Regs: Wearing A Hard Hat Backwards

DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Occupational Safety and Health Administration

29 CFR Parts 1910, 1915, 1917, 1918, and 1926

[Docket No. OSHA-2011-0184]
RIN 1218-AC65

Updating OSHA Standards Based on National Consensus Standards;
Head Protection

AGENCY: Occupational Safety

Changes/

4........................ Adds a requirement that manufacturers mark
helmets that meet the reverse-wearing
requirements with a reverse-wearing mark.
4.3...................... Adds a new, optional section, "Reverse
Wearing," that explains that reverse-
wearing helmets must pass all testing
requirements whether worn facing frontwards
or backwards.
6.1...................... Adds a requirement that manufacturer's
instructions for helmets include
instructions for reverse wearing if
applicable.
6.2...................... Adds instructions for marking helmets tested
for reverse-donning, lower-temperature, and
high-visibility capabilities.
7.3.1.................... Adds new, optional section, "Reverse
Wearing," that permits marking helmets with
the reverse-wearing symbol if those helmets
pass specified tests when mounted in the
reverse-wearing position.

Regs. summary/

4.3 Reverse Wearing--Helmets
manufactured for reverse wearing
must pass all optional testing
requirements whether worn facing
forward or backwards in accordance
with the manufacturers'
instructions.

6.1 Instructions--Requires
instructions "explaining the
proper method of size adjustment,
accompanied by instructions
use, care, useful service life
guidelines and, if applicable,
adjusting the suspension and
reverse wearing."

The "reverse wearing symbol" is essentially a circle with an arrowhead at the 12 and 6 o'clock positions.

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Paul in PA

OSHA Regs: Wearing A Hard Hat Backwards

From Granger:

Can I wear my hard hat backward?
A.

Most likely. Check the hard hat for the "reverse donning arrow" 2marking. The current 2009 edition addresses the issues of reverse wearing of hard hats. The standard now provides a non-mandatory test protocol that will allow manufacturers of hard hats to test the helmet and be marked with the "reverse donning arrow" 2. This means the hard hat can be worn frontward or backward in accordance with the manufacturer's wearing instructions.

Not on a COE job

Does it meet ANSI standards?

Not on a COE job

It certainly is. It is a rock climbing helmet with reputable brand. In fact, it is much better than the construction grade hard hard.