Replacement of head protection

It has been decided that a uniform approach will be taken regarding the life span of hard hats used by County Council employees.  All hard hats will be replaced.

Either

• When the shell is damaged or it is suspected that its shock absorption or penetration resistance has deteriorated, for example, when it has received a severe impact, deep scratches are visible to a depth greater than 25% of the shell thickness, the shell has any cracks visible to the naked eye or if the harness is damaged and cannot be replaced.

Or

• Three years after the date of issue. All hard hats will be disposed of every three years; a different colour hat being selected each time in order to ensure all have been replaced.  Services are responsible for ensuring that a suitable system is in place.
• The programme for replacements will be as follows:

1 April 2009  -   31 March 2012 – WHITE

1 April 2012  -   31 March 2015 – GREEN

1 April 2015  -   31 March 2018 – RED

Thereafter the colour regime may be repeated. 

Out of date or damaged hard hats should be destroyed or collected for recycling to prevent inadvertent re-use.