Rumor has it that the first hard hat, or safety helmet, designed for use outside the military was designed in 1912 by the German novelist, Franz Kafka (1883-1924) when he was employed by an insurance institute in Bavaria. The helmet is used to protect construction workers and others from head injury. The first safety helmet to have a patent was constructed of steamed canvas, black paint and glue.
Hard Hats Emerge
The first two construction sites where workers had to wear hardhats were the Hoover Dam project in 1931 and the construction of the Golden Gate Bridge in Northern California in 1933. Today, all construction workers and site visitors are required to wear protection.
Leather Helmets
ED Bullard designed the earliest safety helmets. His first efforts were made of leather in 1898. Aluminum was the material of choice by the late 1930s,apart from electrical use. By the 1940s, fiberglass was mostly used. From the 1950s, thermoplastics came to dominate because they could be molded cheaply and easily by the use of applied heat. Modern safety helmets are constructed of either high-density polyethylene (HDPE) or advanced engineering resins, including polyetherimide (PEI).
Physics of Hard Hats
Safety helmets usually have an inner suspension system designed to both distribute the weight of the hat equally over the head and to cushion the head from impact by adding at least an inch or more of hair over the top of the head underneath the upper surface. Some helmets incorporate a rim to channel rainwater towards the front and down the peak of the cap rather than dripping down the back of the user's neck.
Protection
Safety helmets are available in a wide variety of styles to suit different environments and a range of colors to suit every taste. The dielectric properties of the smooth dome slotted version are suitable for working with electricity and the shape is designed to protect the wearer in comfort.
Popular
One of the most popular styles has v-shaped ridges at the top. They come with three or four different suspension systems and an array of colors. This model comes in children's and women's sizes, although there are fewer colors from which to choose. As well as the cap-style, there are models whose rim wraps around the entire circumference of the hat. This rim catches falling objects as well as snow and it keeps the sunlight out of the wearer's eyes. A glow-in-the-dark model is useful for working in conditions of darkness. There are even hard cowboy hats, for the wrangler who wants to protect his head while he is riding the wild prairie.
Safety Precautions
There are a number of different types of attachment that can be fitted to safety helmets. Jackhammer operators often attach ear protection, while welders use a safety visor to keep sparks out of their eyes. Face shields are often used to protect the face from being hit by object in the front of the head, as well as the back. Cameras, radios and pagers may also be attached to help the wearer communicate with the outside world.
Hard Hats Emerge
The first two construction sites where workers had to wear hardhats were the Hoover Dam project in 1931 and the construction of the Golden Gate Bridge in Northern California in 1933. Today, all construction workers and site visitors are required to wear protection.
Leather Helmets
ED Bullard designed the earliest safety helmets. His first efforts were made of leather in 1898. Aluminum was the material of choice by the late 1930s,apart from electrical use. By the 1940s, fiberglass was mostly used. From the 1950s, thermoplastics came to dominate because they could be molded cheaply and easily by the use of applied heat. Modern safety helmets are constructed of either high-density polyethylene (HDPE) or advanced engineering resins, including polyetherimide (PEI).
Physics of Hard Hats
Safety helmets usually have an inner suspension system designed to both distribute the weight of the hat equally over the head and to cushion the head from impact by adding at least an inch or more of hair over the top of the head underneath the upper surface. Some helmets incorporate a rim to channel rainwater towards the front and down the peak of the cap rather than dripping down the back of the user's neck.
Protection
Safety helmets are available in a wide variety of styles to suit different environments and a range of colors to suit every taste. The dielectric properties of the smooth dome slotted version are suitable for working with electricity and the shape is designed to protect the wearer in comfort.
Popular
One of the most popular styles has v-shaped ridges at the top. They come with three or four different suspension systems and an array of colors. This model comes in children's and women's sizes, although there are fewer colors from which to choose. As well as the cap-style, there are models whose rim wraps around the entire circumference of the hat. This rim catches falling objects as well as snow and it keeps the sunlight out of the wearer's eyes. A glow-in-the-dark model is useful for working in conditions of darkness. There are even hard cowboy hats, for the wrangler who wants to protect his head while he is riding the wild prairie.
Safety Precautions
There are a number of different types of attachment that can be fitted to safety helmets. Jackhammer operators often attach ear protection, while welders use a safety visor to keep sparks out of their eyes. Face shields are often used to protect the face from being hit by object in the front of the head, as well as the back. Cameras, radios and pagers may also be attached to help the wearer communicate with the outside world.
About the Author:
The civilian hard hat has been around for nearly 100 years. They provide effective protection for construction workers, fire fighters and electricians. The safety clothing and equipment come in a variety of colors and styles.
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