The importance of your Hard Hat
Did you know that the average spend for a pair of safety boots is £30.00 yet for a safety helmet it is £5.00
Why are we so reluctant to invest in protecting what is the most important organ in the body??
The brain is responsible for controlling and coordinating actions and reactions, it allows us to think and feel, and enables us to have memories and feelings – all the things that make us human – yet the risks posed by head injury are so often overlooked, dismissed or simply not considered.
The concept of a hard hat is something that is by no means a modern invention. In 1882 Centurion developed the earliest version of the modern day helmet, produced to protect miners, the helmets were made from pulped tree roots which were lacquered to produce a hard, waterproof shell. However archaeological evidence shows that head protection – in 1 form or another has been around since before 2500BC. The first forms were for protection in battles. Some of the earlier helmets were made from copper, leather and boar tusks.
Throughout history there has been a clear recognition that out most valuable asset to is to protect our head because then that bit works everything else.
During 14th to the 20th of June we have Hard Hat Awareness Week and this is an opportunity to assess and audit your safety equipment.
- Did you know there is an expiry date on your hard hat?
There are many questions that you need to think about
- How is it stored?
- Have any chemicals got onto your helmet to possibly make it vulnerable for your protection?
- On some sites you get stickers to show you have completed inductions and trainings – do these hinder any site issues?
- Does it fit correctly?
- Are all the chin straps etc working correctly?
If you need any further guidance please contact me joanne@chestnutassociates.co.uk
