How To Know If Your Hard Hat Has Expired?

A hard hat is a type of helmet predominantly used in workplace environments such as industrial or construction sites to protect the head from injury due to falling objects, impact with other objects, debris, rain, and electric shock. 

However, it is important to remember that these hard hats aren’t built to last a lifetime. Instead, hardhats have a lifespan that depends on various factors. 

In this article, we will discuss how you can identify when your hardhat will expire.

How To Know If Your Hard Hat Has Expired?

A hard hat is an essential piece of personal protection equipment (PPE), particularly in industrial and construction settings. It is intended to protect workers from major head injuries caused by falling objects, collisions with immovable objects, or electrical shocks. Hard hats, like all other safety equipment, have a limited lifespan. Here are some signs that it may be time to replace your hard hat:

Visible symptoms of damage

If your hard hat has cracks, dents, or other evidence of wear, it may no longer be capable of providing effective protection.

Faded or discolored shell

 If the color of your hard helmet has faded or become discolored, it may be due to prolonged exposure to sunlight, which can weaken the material and damage its protective capabilities.

Suspension system damage

 If the hard hat’s suspension system is damaged or worn out, it may be unable to absorb impact and provide adequate protection.

Manufacturer’s recommendations

The manufacturer of your hard hat may offer specific suggestions for when to replace it, depending on its type and usage.

Age

Hard hats have a limited lifespan, typically 2 to 5 years, depending on the type of hard hat and usage.

Where can you find the hard Hat expiration date?

Each hard hat has a limited lifespan, commonly referred to as an expiry date. However, you won’t see this expiry date printed on the hard hat itself, like you would with a use-by or sell-by date. Even so, it’s essential to know when your hard hat is no longer safe to use.

Instead of an expiry date, hard hats display a manufacturing date, which you’ll use to calculate the expiry. This date is typically stamped on the inside of the hard hat, often under the brim. The year of manufacture appears as a number in the center, while an arrow points to the month. For example, if the number reads 13 with an arrow pointing to 5, the hard hat was manufactured in May 2013.

With this manufacturing date, you can determine when your hard hat is due for replacement.

What does OSHA say about Hard Hat expiration dates?

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) sets strict guidelines regarding the use of personal protective equipment (PPE), including hard hats. 

While OSHA does not mandate a specific expiration date for hard hats, they emphasize that employers must ensure head protection is effective and in good condition. According to OSHA, inspecting hard hats regularly for cracks, dents, or wear is essential, and replacement should occur if any damage is noticed.

HSE and Hard Hat Replacement Rules

The UK’s Health and Safety Executive (HSE) provides more detailed recommendations about the lifespan of hard hats. They suggest a lifespan of around 3 to 5 years, depending on the working conditions and the manufacturer’s instructions. HSE also emphasizes the importance of proper storage when the hard hat is not in use, as improper storage can significantly reduce its effectiveness.

Maximum usage of Hard Hat

The lifespan of a hard hat depends on several factors, including when you begin using it after it’s made and the conditions it faces during use. It’s unlikely you’ll wear a hard hat immediately after manufacturing, as it typically goes through transportation and storage before it’s purchased and put to use.

The usable period for a hard hat extends from when you start using it until it either reaches its expiration date or gets damaged—whichever comes first. For instance, if a hard hat has a five-year expiration from the manufacturing date but sits in storage for six months, you’ll have up to 4.5 years to use it. However, if it’s struck by something like a brick after just three months, it should be replaced, giving you only those three months of usage.

In reality, a hard hat’s effective duration could vary significantly, from a single day to its full expiry, depending on potential damage during its use.

How to Check the Expiration Date

Each hard hat comes with a manufacture date, which can usually be found stamped inside the shell. The date typically includes the month and year the hard hat was made. According to guidelines from HASpod, hard hats generally have a recommended lifespan of 3 to 5 years from the date of manufacture, depending on the brand and environmental factors.

Conclusion

Understanding and respecting the expiration dates of hard hats is essential for maintaining workplace safety. While organizations like OSHA and HSE provide guidelines on when and how to inspect and replace hard hats, the responsibility ultimately falls on both employers and employees to ensure their equipment is in top condition.