3 Tips For Keeping Your Hardhat In Tip-Top Shape

If you work in construction, your hardhat may be one of the more important tools of your trade. After all, when you work in places where something may fall on your head, your hardhat may be your only defense against a traumatic brain injury, spinal cord damage or another catastrophic injury.

While picking the appropriate hardhat for your line of work is critical, you must be certain it stays in tip-top shape. Here are three tips for ensuring your hardhat continues to offer adequate protection for your head.

1. Clean the hardhat regularly

You probably do not want your hard hat to become a sweaty, dirty or smelly mess. Keeping your hardhat clean, though, is also necessary for your personal safety. Because oil, dirt, sweat and grime can weaken a hardhat, you should regularly clean yours using its manufacturer’s instructions.

2. Put stickers elsewhere

You may want to show off your personality or passion for your favorite sports team by affixing stickers or decals to your hardhat. Doing so, though, may be a mistake, as stickers may interfere with the way your hardhat functions. You also should not cut air holes into your hardhat, remove the internal suspension or make other modifications.

3. Inspect the hardhat

Before donning your hardhat and going to work each day, you should inspect it for visible signs of damage. If you see any, you should replace your hardhat immediately. Furthermore, if your hardhat absorbs an impact, you should always replace it. This is true even if the hardhat appears fine.

Even though you may be eligible for workers’ compensation benefits for any job-related injury you suffer, you are better off avoiding one altogether. Put simply, any effort you put into maintaining your hardhat is likely to pay off someday.