Replies

1. 
   renosteinke | May 27, 2008 02:19am | #1

   Having used quite a variety - they were usually supplied by the employer - I can't really say that I noticed much difference. Here are a few details to consider, though, as not every hard hat is appropriate to every situation:

   1- Most, but not all, 'standard' hard hats have some arrangement that diverts rain from the back of your neck, and directs it out over the brim. Nice - but don't assume it's there without looking;

   2- Specific jobs have different needs. For example, some industrial places get warm enough to turn a plastic hat into jello; time to consider a fiberglass one. Most fiberglass ones do NOT divert rain from dripping down your neck;

   3- If you'll be outside a lot, consider the 'cowboy' style, as well as the more traditional "WW 1" style;

   4- "Bump caps," while not impact rated, are often all the protection you really need; and,

   5- Some models readily accept accessories, like face shields and hearing protection. If this is important to you, check for it. Others have shorter front brims, or work better with welders' masks.

   There are many other types of protective headgear out there, that are certified to different ANSI standards than the one used for industrial hard hats. I've read those standards, and it appears that a deliberate effort was made to make sure you were NOT able to compare one standard with another. Test methodology, even the 'test head,' differ for each test. There really is no way to compare one test to another, or to say that a helmet meeting one standard will be sure to meet another. We all lose in this situation, as many jobs would benefit from the features found in other headgear. For example, a guy crawling an attic might benefit from the brimless design, side protection, and much better retainer design commonly found on rock climbing helmets - yet those are tested in a different manner than hard hats.

1. 
   Gunner | May 27, 2008 04:14am | #3

       I don't know about out West but everytime someone pops up around here with one of those Cowboy hardhats he's looked at and treated like the village idiot. No matter who he is. They just look stupid.

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

     Well, you can tell by the way I use my walk, I'm a woman's man, no time to talk. .

    

   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dy3LM5_-i1Q&feature=related

1. 
   plumbbill | May 27, 2008 04:59am | #4

   Out west we ask them where they parked their horse, but that's assuming they understand english ;-)

    

2. 
   Sphere | May 27, 2008 02:19am | #2

   The one someone else is wearin'

   Ok, Stihl, I just got a good deal on one with earmuffs and face shield, for logging. Nice hat.

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   A must read.

3. 
   plumbbill | May 27, 2008 05:02am | #5

   Crank style adjustment is the only ones I'll wear anymore.

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   Is my current hard hat.

    

4. 
   Hudson Valley Carpenter | May 27, 2008 05:12am | #6

   The employer is required to supply hardhats so you may not have a choice. 

   I worked many union jobs where they were mandatory, handed out in the original plastic bag upon arrival, first day.  I don't recall any brand names, though they may be stamped into the plastic on the inside. 

   The main feature for worker bees, one which is pretty much universal now, is a second strap in back to hold the thing on your head when you bend over.  Other than that, some are easier to adjust for size but there's not really a whole lot of difference. 

   I always spent some time to adjust the top straps to allow the hat to sit low.  That makes it more comfortable because it stays in place better when you turn your head quickly.

   Use a felt pen to put your name inside somewhere. 

5. 
   segundo | May 27, 2008 05:40am | #7

   MSA fiberglass hardhats are the best to wear as they are lighter and cooler than the plastic hard hats, they are also heat resistant as noted by a previous poster as well as the most expensive. if you can get one for under $70 you have done well.

   for the regular plastic hard hats there are several good brands, i am partial to the fibre metal, and some of the old bullard's (hard boiled) are pretty cool too. they have the three ridges.

   you can get plastic or fiberglass in full brim or partial brim. the welders usually turn the suspension lining around so the brim is in the back and doesn't get in the way of the welding hood/faceshield.

   welders can also take credit for turning caps backwards or sideways to cover the ears. it isn't for fashion but to keep the sparks off. when your welding pipe with your head sideways sometimes they go right in the ear.

6. 
   segundo | May 27, 2008 05:45am | #8

   http://cgi.ebay.com/MSA-Skullgard-Cap-Hard-Hat-BRAND-NEW_W0QQitemZ130225630226QQihZ003QQcategoryZ11904QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

   trying to send an ebay link, let me know if it works.

1. 
   JourneymanCarpenterT | May 27, 2008 07:19am | #10

   I got it.  Thanks.-T

2. 
   Hudson Valley Carpenter | May 27, 2008 11:02am | #11

   Hey, that's a nice lid.  The only thing is that the company may insist on wearing their's.  I've seen it happen.  Insurance regs require it, they said. 

   It was probably more about indentifying who was on their crew so the supers could keep an eye on everyone.

   In any case, it's not wise politically to toss the company hard hat and wear your own, not unless it's been approved.  Better to start out with an aim to fit in rather than stand out. 

   I say this after having been too outspoken on numerous union jobs, which often meant that I was down the road on the next pay day.  And I don't mean arguing with anyone, just speaking up about unsafe conditions to the foreman or something similar.  Nonetheless, I don't regret going up against the system, for whatever reason. 

1. 
   segundo | May 28, 2008 12:27am | #12

   i try to blend in as well, i have one just like in the link that is painted a very light grey, passes for dirty white, and is completely under the radar.

   many companies will allow employees to order safety gear from the site safety supplier. i see it often where the vendor brings a delivery to the contractor,and several items for individuals who then pay the vendor or make arrangements for deductions from payroll.

   trouble is if you drop and break an $80 dollar hard hat they won't usually replace it.

1. 
   Hudson Valley Carpenter | May 28, 2008 02:00am | #13

   trouble is if you drop and break an $80 dollar hard hat they won't usually replace it.

   If it breaks, I say it ain't worth $80, not even $8.   I don't recall ever seeing a hard hat that was broken.   

1. 
   segundo | May 28, 2008 02:13am | #14

   the fiberglass ones do break, but they don't melt.

   the plastic ones will melt, but are much tougher.

   there is a noticable difference in weight, the fiberglass hard hats are lighter and cooler.

2. 
   Hudson Valley Carpenter | May 28, 2008 02:17am | #15

     Sounds suspicious to me.  How did they get it certified if it will break from a fall?

3. 
   segundo | May 28, 2008 02:28am | #17

   i can't say how it got certified, and i have seen them take over 20" falls and survive, but i have also seen them break with abuse or long falls with lots of bounces.

   i sometimes work in very hot environments, i have melted both welding hoods and hard hats. fiberglass doesn't melt, not like plastic does. they may have been specified for that environment.

   even a plastic hard hat that does not look broken or cracked is supposed to be replaced after an impact of a certain force, i don't know exactly what it s cause i'm not a "safety twerp" (brownbagg)

   the plastic ones are fine, i have worn them lots, but the best is the fiberglass because of wearer comfort.

4. 
   Hudson Valley Carpenter | May 28, 2008 03:01am | #20

   I've never worn a fiber glass hat but I like the idea of the weight savings.  I also like that knob adjuster on the back, although it probably adds an ounce or two. 

   I have one hat with that thing on it which quickly became my favorite because of the fine tuned adjustment.   

   I wonder if anyone makes a Kevlar hat?  That would be stronger than fiber glass and lighter too.  Probably make it twice the price.

   I haven't been on a hard hat job in quite a few years so I'm just curious, not shopping. 

5. 
   caseyr | May 28, 2008 02:25am | #16

   I recently ran across my old aluminum hard hat from many years ago and wondered if it was still OSHA legal. I did a quick web search and it appears that it still is under certain situations where one will not come in contact with live electrical circuits. The old "tin" hat is certainly lighter and somewhat cooler than my fiberglass hardhat. It also has the rim all the way around which can be advantageous in various situations. However, I never felt that that the aluminum hardhat was going to protect my skull as well as the fiberglass one if someone dropped a wrecking bar on me from several stores up. OSHA comments on aluminum hard hats.
   http://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_table=INTERPRETATIONS&p_id=24186

6. 
   segundo | May 28, 2008 02:38am | #19

   i used to have an old aluminum one too, gave it to a friend that was collecting them.

   aluminum HH's are very light, and its been awhile since i've seen anyone wearing one on a job. i do lots of hot work, (welding, cutting with torch, arc gouging) and am constantly around that low voltage electrical current, so probably not a good idea for me.

   a welding lead @ about 20 volts with cracks in the insulation dragged across a wet pant leg while standing in the mud will give you a little buzz. whoo hoo. 

   i know welders in the pac NW wear rubber or latex liner gloves under their welding gloves so they don't get shocked.

7. 
   ruffmike | May 27, 2008 07:16am | #9

   I like the full all around brim, crank tighten, MSA V Guard 

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                               Mike

       Trust in God, but row away from the rocks.

8. 
   MisterT | May 28, 2008 02:34am | #18

   Not a brand...

   being smart enuf to keep yer noggin out from under falling objects...

   also not good enuf fo OSHA

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9. 
   andyfew322 | May 28, 2008 03:06am | #21

   I like my Pats hard hat

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   now if only I could find a use for it....

    

   there's no need to reinvent the wrench