The Anatomy of a Hard Hat

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, most workers suffering impact injuries to the head were not wearing head protection. A single injury to the head can handicap an employee for life - and at worst, it can be fatal. The head is the most vital part of the body with many areas that are vulnerable if left unprotected - eyes, ears, nose, mouth and brain--all of which are indispensable for functioning in daily life. 

    Hard hats are the easiest, most effective means of protecting the head from such injury. Their design works to protect the head in a number of ways: 

• Rigid Outer Shell: This exterior both deflects and resists impact to the head from debris and other materials.
• Suspension System: The interior of a hard hat includes a suspension system (normally a 4 to 6 point suspension) designed to act as a shock absorber deflecting the impact of a blow by distributing it over a large area.
• Electrical Protection: Some hard hats even serve as an insulator against electrical shocks.
• Options for Added Protection: Hard hats can be modified to offer additional protection such as nape protectors, goggles, hoods, hearing protection, and face shields - offering protection against the sun and/or potentially dangerous chemical splashes, spills, and drips.  
• Hi-Viz Colors: Hard hats come in bright colors making workers more highly visible and reducing the chance of accidents.

And interestingly, properly worn, hard hats provide superior ventilation, making them even cooler to wear than a baseball cap. Brims on the hats also provide partial protection from the sun.