In hazardous work environments such as construction, industrial, petrochemical, mining, road work, forestry and utilities, personal protective equipment is essential to the safety of each person on the job. Certain types of PPE, like hard hats, are a must-have for continuous wear in order to safeguard against safety risks and ensure compliance. Of course, any hard hat wearer can tell you that comfort is paramount if the gear is to be worn as instructed and without compromise to the job at hand. So it's crucial for employers to ask the ever-important question, "Are my workers' hard hats designed for all-day wear?"

If you expect workers to wear a hard hat for a full shift, it must be comfortable and fit properly. Otherwise, the potential for discomfort can cause stress and fatigue, affecting your workers' ability to perform their job efficiently or effectively. They may even become more focused on the personal discomfort than the present work or their own safety, which could tempt them to remove their hard hat and risk injury.

The solution? Investing in a hard hat that meets all safety and compliance needs AND features a design that supports next-level comfort and fit.

Eying Innovation in Hard Hat Comfort

So, can a hard hat actually meet these expectations for comfort? 3M's engineering advancements in suspension design offer a resounding yes. With its newly configured suspension system, a lightweight shell and a patented UV indicator, 3M™ SecureFit™ H-Series Hard Hats help alleviate workers' frustrations with hard hats on the job.

The 3M™ H-700 Series provides 3M innovation in comfort while maintaining the traditional cap and full brim design that many wearers prefer. Chosen 9 times out of 10 over current conventional hard hats, this suspension system flexes and self-adjusts to the size of the wearer's head, reducing forehead pressure and increasing comfort for all-day wear.

This comfort is supported by Pressure Diffusion Technology, meaning the headband incorporates self-adjusting front paddles along the wearer's forehead. The headband is designed to self-adjust to the wearer as the ratchet is tightened. This helps create a personalized fit and reduces the pressure on the forehead up to 30% compared to previous 3M H-series hard hat suspensions.

3M™ H-700 Series Hard Hats help give your workers an excellent blend of comfort, style and safety. Its tough, durable shell and adjustable suspension system work together to help absorb the impact of small falling objects and eliminate or minimize injuries when workers bump into objects in their environment.

Features include:

  • 3M™ Scotchlite™ Reflective Material for enhanced visibility
  • Optimized comfort with three levels of adjustment
  • Smooth, easy turning ratchet suspension
  • Optional Uvicator™ Sensor that lets wearer know when to replace hard hat due to UV exposure
  • Absorbent brow pad that provides comfort and ventilation
  • Optional venting to encourage airflow

3M™ H-700 Series Hard Hats models meet ANSI Z89.1 Type I impact protection and come in both vented and non-vented options. Non-vented hard hat versions meet the ANSI Z89.1 Class G and E for protection against electrical contact. Vented hard hat versions meet the ANSI Z89.1 Class C for non-electrical applications.

The vents that are built into the hard hat help release heat buildup and allow air circulation to enhance the comfort of the worker.

For added versatility, 3M™ H-700 Series Hard Hats feature accessory slots to accommodate 3M cap-mounted Earmuffs, Headgear, Faceshields, and Welding Helmets (all sold separately). 3M™ SecureFit™ H-Series Hard Hats are designed for compatibility with other PPE without sacrificing fit, comfort or protection.

Staying Alert to Exposure Levels

It's not just comfort that can compromise the effectiveness of a hard hat, particularly for all-day wear. There are also environmental influences that can jeopardize its efficacy, and one of the most prominent ones is UV exposure.

When working outdoors, the sun's UV rays can cause a hard hat shell to become brittle over time and compromise its ability to protect the wearer. Even more challenging is that it can be difficult to tell the difference between a new and aged hard hat. Whereas damage to a hard hat can typically be seen (e.g., impact, wear and tear, chemical degradation), UV exposure is a hidden factor that still greatly compromises shell material.

The amount of UV radiation exposure varies significantly across the country. Workers in higher UV radiation zones should replace their hard hats more frequently to ensure they are receiving optimum performance from their protective headgear.

Fortunately, 3M™ H-700 Series Hard Hat with Uvicator™ Sensor features sensors that visually cue when it is time to replace the hard hat due to UV exposure. The sensor changes color from red to white as the hard hat is exposed to UV light, alerting the wearer that it's time for a replacement.

This innovative, award-winning, lightweight hard hat offers all the features and performance of the H-700 series, and with the addition of the Uvicator sensor, it's an even better choice for extended comfort and protection.

Important Notes for Hard Hat Inspection & Replacement

In addition to opting for a hard hat that supports all-day wear, it's critical to understand the inspection and replacement practices that ensure the safety and effectiveness of the gear.

In terms of maintenance, be sure to clean the hard hat and suspension with mild soap and water, then rinse and wipe dry. Do not use paints, solvents, chemicals, adhesives, gasoline or like substances on the hard hat. Store the hard hat away from direct sunlight, including on the dashboard of a vehicle.

A hard hat shell should be inspected prior to each use. Immediately replace the hard hat if any sign of wear appears or if there is any evidence of damage, abuse or plastic degradation. Any hard hat that is subjected to impact or shows signs of worn or damaged parts should be removed from service immediately and replaced.

Workers in environments with higher levels of exposure to sunlight, heat, cold or chemicals should replace their hard hats more frequently than workers in other environments. If the hard hat shell becomes faded in color, exhibits a chalky appearance, or feels stiff and brittle, degradation of the shell may be occurring. A hard hat should be replaced immediately at the first sign of any of these conditions.

Hard hat suspensions should also be inspected closely for cracks, frayed straps or other signs of wear. Any suspension that is damaged must be removed from service and replaced immediately. It is recommended to replace the entire suspension system at least every 12 months, and the hard hat shell at least within five years depending on work environment. Refer to user instructions for proper installation and replacement of the suspension.

Check out this helpful demonstration from one of our experts on how to attach a suspension in a 3M™ H-700 Series Hard Hat.

For more detailed information about how 3M™ hard hats can support your organization's worker safety and comfort needs, visit our product pages or reach out to our team of experts.