helmet on table with city background, protection and under construction building concept

Protect Your Brain: A Basic Guide to Head Protection (OSHA-Approved)  

(Free Stock photos by Vecteezy)

Why risk your noggin when you can keep it safe? Head protection should be at the top of your PPE priority list. After all, a head injury can be absolutely devastating, potentially causing severe trauma or even death.

According to OSHA, employers have a legal obligation to provide head protection in the workplace whenever employees are at risk of encountering falling objects, falls, bumped noggins, or electrical hazards.

In this regard, OSHA and ANSI are hand in glove. Head protection must comply with several ANSI standards as required by OSHA.

So, who needs head protection? Basically, anyone who might encounter: (1)

  • Falling objects from above
  • Fixed objects that could bonk their heads (think exposed pipes and beams)
  • Electrical hazards that could give their noggin a jolt
  • Common occupations where head protection is a must include construction workers, carpenters, electricians, linemen, plumbers, pipe fitters, loggers, welders, and more.

Now, let’s talk about the basic requirements for head protection. A good headgear should: (2)

  • Resist objects penetrating it like a champ
  • Absorb the shock of a blow impressively
  • Be water-resistant and slow burning (for those unexpected fire situations)
  • Come with crystal-clear instructions on how to adjust and replace the suspension and headband
  • And what must all head protection gear include? According to OSHA, it’s non-negotiable: (3)
  • Clear instructions for adjustment and replacement
  • A sturdy outer shell
  • A shock-absorbing lining with a headband and suspension straps that leave a comfortable gap of 2.54 to 3.18 centimeters between your head and the shell.

OSHA law demands compliance with these ANSI standards:

  • ANSI Z89.1-2009, the “American National Standard for Industrial Head Protection”
  • ANSI Z89.1-2003, the “American National Standard for Industrial Head Protection”
  • ANSI Z89.1-1997, the “American National Standard for Personnel Protection-Protective Headwear for Industrial Workers-Requirements”

Don’t compromise on your brain’s safety. Invest in proper head protection that meets OSHA and ANSI standards. Your future self will thank you!

Browse head protection.

To learn more about Hard Hat types, classes and usage, see our related blog post here.

Check out our guide to hardhat accessories here.

  1. https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/regulations/standardnumber/1926/1926.100#:~:text=Employees%20working%20in%20areas%20where,be%20protected%20by%20protective%20helmets.
  2. https://blog.ansi.org/ansi-isea-z891-industrial-head-protection/#gref
  3. https://ohsonline.com/Articles/2014/09/01/Understanding-Head-Protection.aspx?Page=1

Various types of gloves in various colors

What is CUT LEVEL PROTECTION?  

Hand protection is synonymous with CUT LEVEL PROTECTION.  

What is it?  

OSHA requires hand protection for employees working under certain conditions, but provides very little guidance on requirements and how to select hand protection.  

Cut Protection is designated by ANSI, and is the most widely accepted standard for hand protection.  

ANSI standard 105 provides a scale of 9 levels of cut protection determined by how many grams of cutting load a glove can withstand by a sharp blade before being penetrated. (1)  

  • A1: 200 – 499 grams – light cut hazards 
  • A2: 500 – 999 grams – light/medium cut hazards 
  • A3: 1000 – 1499 grams – light /medium cut hazards 
  • A4: 1500 – 2199 grams – light/medium cut hazards 
  • A5: 2200 – 2999 grams – medium cut hazards 
  • A6: 3000 – 3999 grams – medium/heavy cut hazards  
  • A7: 4000 – 4999 grams – heavy cut hazards 
  • A8: 5000 – 5999 grams – heavy cut hazards 
  • A9: 6000+ grams – heavy cut hazards 

This is determined by the type of fibers in the shell of the glove and the thickness/weight of the material.  

How is cut level determined?  

A machine known as a tomodynamometer, or TDM, pulls a blade in 20mm paths across a glove’s surface under varied gram loads and measures the weight needed to cut through. The sample is cut five times with three different loads and an average is calculated, resulting in a cut score of A1-A9. (2)  

When choosing appropriate cut level, it is essential to consider the following five factors: 

  1. Job task: Consider the type of work that will be performed while wearing the gloves. Different job tasks may require varying levels of cut resistance, and the cut level chosen should be appropriate for the potential hazards present in the work environment. 
  1. Material: The materials used in gloves play a crucial role in determining their cut resistance level. Different materials have different levels of cut resistance, and it is important to select gloves made from materials with the appropriate cut resistance level for the job task. 
  1. Comfort: It is important to consider comfort when selecting cut-resistant gloves. Gloves that are too thick or inflexible can reduce dexterity, making it challenging to perform tasks accurately, and comfortably. 
  1. Durability: Gloves should be durable enough to withstand the job tasks they are intended for and the frequency of use. Consider factors such as puncture resistance, abrasion resistance, and resistance to tearing to ensure that the gloves will last long enough to be effective. 
  1. Cost: Cost is an important factor in selecting the appropriate level of cut resistance for hand protection. Higher cut resistance gloves tend to be more expensive, so it is essential to balance the level of protection required with the available budget. Cost considerations can also include factors like the expected lifespan of the gloves, their potential to reduce injury, and the cost of training and PPE management. 

ANSI provides a comprehensive chart below  

 

(Source)

To learn more about things to consider when purchasing hand protection, see our relation blog here.  

Learn more about other ANSI Hand Protection Ratings here.

  1. https://www.blackstallion.com/resource-hub/industry-standards/ansi-cut-standards.html 
  1. https://www.ergodyne.com/blog/ansi-105-en-388-what-you-need-to-know 
  1. https://www.brassknuckleprotection.com/brass-knuckle-protection-new-ansi-standards-for-gloves/