Hard Hat Versus Safety Glasses - Differences Between the Two That Will Make a Difference

Safety hats have long been a basic requirement for workers who perform strenuous jobs that put their lives at risk. However, new safety regulations and rules have increased the need to purchase hats that meet these stringent requirements. Workers and consumers must understand the differences between general head protection and each specific type of hat on the market today. Some of these distinctions include a hat's construction, its use, and how it can protect a worker's head in an accident. Workers only needs to wear a hat that protects their entire head; however, they may need additional protection to ensure that their eyes are not injured in an accident. For example, a worker who may only need a simple hat to cover their entire head and face must choose one that contains a chinstrap to secure their mouth.

There are many reasons to buy safety hats,and each different type has its own benefits as well as limitations. Some examples of safety hats are welded steel hard hats, which prevent sparks and cut, leather hard hats, polycarbonate safety hats, steel tipped hard hats, soft-point safety hats, and disposable hard hats. The following article discusses the advantages and limitations of each of these types of safety protective headwear. By selecting a hat that meets your needs, you will be protecting your job and yourself.

Most general purpose safety hats are constructed from steel and feature a steel or polyethylene shell. The steel shell has many advantages including durability and resistance to impact, while providing a lightweight feel. The steel hard hat construction also provides a high level of compression resistance, which increases protection against blows to the head. However, polyethylene does not feature the same level of impact resistance and is lighter and easier to handle. Divers and snorkelers often prefer the smooth, polyethylene construction of these types of hats.

Another important difference between these two types of safety hats is the way in which they are suspended. Safety glasses, which are often used by firemen and first responders, are designed to float on the surface of water and protect you from falling objects. These hard hats, by contrast, are worn in the closed position and offer minimal protection to the top of the head. While these hats may look similar and share some attributes, there are key differences between them that make one a better choice for your workplace and another a better choice for your safety.

Polystyrene is much heavier than the polystyrene foam core that makes up safety hats that are suspended in air. As a result, these hard hats are typically worn with thick, insulated clothing underneath them. This makes them even more difficult to lose or damage, because the additional weight increases the friction between the hat and the wearer's head, reducing the likelihood of either occurring. In addition, safety glasses are not only more comfortable and easier to wear, but they have a number of additional benefits as well. For example, some models include shatterproof lenses that reduce the possibility of dangerous shrapnel damaging the eye.

Safety glasses, on the other hand, offer no such protection and should be worn until the manufacturer recommends an expiration date. An expiration date is simply a time date by which a product must be discarded in order to ensure continued safe use by the consumer. Although hard hats are usually made to meet a specific safety need, it is not uncommon for employers to request that a hat be replaced after an agreed upon expiration date. If you are unsure when the recommended expiration date is, it is a good idea to check with your employer or professional association. Some employers place safety hats in storage when not in use so that the possibility of a need for a replacement or other repair can be considered.