Source: www.toolboxtopics.com
In our continuing efforts to encourage a progressive safety program, we announce a unique policy benefiting everyone. It is a hardhat exemption program. If you are one of those hard-headed individuals that wants to let your hair blow in the breeze, who feel a hardhat shortens his/her neck, and that in general it is just a pain in the you know what, this program is for you. Every employee is required to wear a hardhat on the job.
But, if you earn a certificate of exemption, you will be excused from this requirement.
The program works like this. If your head meets the standards for head protection, you don't need a hardhat. Contact the company safety department to be scheduled for the testing at the earliest possible date. Upon successful completion of testing, you will receive a beautiful embossed certificate, suitable for framing, identifying your head as conforming to American National Standards Institute requirements (ANSI Z89.1 and Z89.2 classes A, B, C and D). You will also receive a wallet sized card that you must carry at all times. The tests include the following:
You will undergo a 24-hour water immersion test. A maximum of permitted absorption is 0.5% by weight. Air will be provided for the 24 hours at no charge.
Next, an impact test will be conducted. While lying horizontally, with your head resting on a steel plate, an 8-lb. steel ball will be dropped on it several times from a height of 5 feet. If your head is not damaged, you pass.
Next, your head will be subjected to the application of a variety of acids, solvents, oils, and industrial gasses. It must pass with no damage or deficiencies.
A propane torch will be used to determine if your head is fire resistant. If slow burning, you may only achieve a Class A or B rating. If there are any holes in your head, it will restrict you from a Class A rating.
On the final test, you must sustain 2200 volts AC, 60 Hz, for three minutes with leakage currents not exceeding 9 mille-amperes. Breakdown threshold has been established at 30,000 volts.
All tests must be conducted at a variety of temperatures ranging from -20 degrees to 140 degrees Fahrenheit.
If you don't feel you can qualify, don't despair. Although not as pretty as your hairdo, your hardhat does provide protection for your head from all the above. Remember that unless you receive an exemption certificate, you must continue wearing your hardhat. Not wearing one is a privilege that will be granted only to those with proper certification and designated as genuine HARD HEADS.
Source: www.toolboxtopics.com
(This is an awesome site to find topics for your next safety meeting – check it out!)
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