HARDHAT “EXEMPTION”
PROGRAM
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 feels
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 milli-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.
Obviously this is a joke, however, this is a reminder of our 100% hard hat policy and all the protection you are afforded by wearing one.
Have a Safe Day!
