If you are a safety professional than you might have faced a very common problem that the workers most often do not want to wear safety helmets for a long time. You might have found workers removed their hard hats and working without it. It is obvious that wearing helmet for a long time is very difficult and as the head sweats, the person wearing safety helmet gets irritated wearing it. It you know the reasons why workers do not want to wear safety helmet; you may find out a way removing those reasons and make them wear it. Here are some of the reasons why workers do not want to wear hard hats r safety helmets:
Most of the workers do not understand the importance of safety helmets in protecting against head injuries. This is the main reason why workers are not wearing hard hats. If a worker new that a potential threat is coming which will injure his/her head and wearing the hard hat can reduce the severity, he/she would have worn the hard hat all the time.
Many often workers can not visualize the level of severity a hard hat can protect their heads from injury. Even in the workers gossip, you will find that they have a thought that a safety helmet will not be able to save them if objects fall on head. Many often it comes from the lack of knowledge of the severity of the risks their workplace have.
The most common reason for not wearing helmets is discomfort. A safety helmet, being a hard protective gear that workers need to wear on their heads, often does not feel comfortable. This discomfort is particularly noticeable when helmets are worn for extended periods, as the sweatband can become wet due to head sweating, adding to the unease. Furthermore, an improperly adjusted suspension system, chinstrap, or chin cover can significantly contribute to discomfort. If the adjustable mechanisms on the helmet do not function correctly, the helmet might not fit properly, leading to further discomfort and reluctance to use it. Addressing these issues is essential to ensure that helmets are both protective and comfortable for workers.
Many often workers receive poorly designed helmet or wrong size of helmet which cause discomfort and many often can cause pain in head. This also cause the workers to avoid wearing it most of the time.
Workers may find helmets cumbersome, especially when performing physically demanding tasks. Helmets can obstruct their view or interfere with other gear, such as safety glasses or earmuffs.
If safety helmets are not a cultural norm in the workplace, workers may avoid wearing them to fit in. Also, many often the supervisors or colleagues do not wear helmets. The negligence of wearing safety helmets by the colleagues may set a negative example. Its most a culture which emphasizes workers not to wear helmets or get rid of it.
Human has an instinct to avoid rules and regulations and always fond of violating the rules. Where there is a strict rule of wearing safety helmet, workers many often try to resist the rules and do not wear helmet. Mana often, the workers might feel the policy or rule irrelevant. A lack of enforcement from management can further reduce compliance.
Some workers may avoid helmets due to their concerns about how they look wearing a safety helmet. Many often workers feel lower graded due to wearing the safety helmet. Some workers think that the helmet will worsen their hair style.
In some cases, helmets might not be readily available or maintained, leading to their non-use. This situation arises when helmets are not issued based on a proper assessment of their requirements. Furthermore, the lack of availability or maintenance of helmets can be attributed to inadequate planning or oversight in ensuring their provision. When the distribution of helmets is not aligned with an accurate evaluation of the need, it increases the likelihood of their absence, contributing to safety concerns.
Wearing a helmet for a long time can cause neck or shoulder fatigue, especially if the helmet is heavy or poorly balanced. Due to the fatigue reason many workers cannot wear the helmet for a long period of time.
Many often when we ask the workers why they are not using the hard hats, a common answer is found that the helmet is interrupting their works. The helmet itself is causing hazard. This can be true in some case. Some cases it can be just the thought of the workers. Many often the workplace visibility is interrupted by the helmet. Working in very confined space can also cause problem to wear helmet during work.
When workers work in a place for a long time and do not face any incident which can cause injury to their head, grows a sense that there will be no incident which can cause them injury. This false believe or self-confidence led them to remove the helmet and working without it.
From a Workplace Hard Hat Safety Survey by Centurion the following shocking results have been found.
The study was conducted for construction sites where it was found that 20% of all injuries whether fatal and non-fatal in the UK since 2013 were head related. On average people spend £25-£30 on a pair of safety shoes or boots, but only £5-£8 on their safety helmet.
The survey asked workers a question that have they ever had a blow/knock to the head at work? Guess how many of them said “Yes”, only 18%.
What do you thing this 82% workers feel of wearing safety helmet? Yes, it is obvious that they will not be very dedicated to wear safety helmet as they did not experience any kind of blow/knock to the head during work.
The study found more interesting results:
And this picture is very common in other workplaces as well. This is a practical scenario why workers are not wearing safety helmet and what could be the consequences.
Here are 10 ways you can improve the culture of wearing safety helmets in your workplace:
Conduct regular safety training sessions emphasizing the importance of hard hats in preventing head injuries. Share real-life examples or incidents where helmets saved lives or prevented severe injuries.
Highlight legal obligations to wear hard hats under occupational safety regulations. Explain the company’s commitment to safety and how compliance contributes to a safer workplace.
Choose the Right Equipment, invest in lightweight, well-ventilated, adjustable hard hats that are comfortable for extended use. Offer options that include sweatbands, chin straps, and cushioning for added comfort.
Ensure Proper Fit and provide different sizes and demonstrate how to adjust hard hats to fit securely. Conduct fittings to ensure each worker has the correct size and model.
Set the Tone at the Top. Managers and supervisors must consistently wear hard hats to demonstrate the importance of compliance. Encourage safety champions or team leaders to promote helmet use among peers.
Implement a Clear Safety Policy. Include hard hat usage in your safety policies, outlining when and where they must be worn. Post visible reminders in high-risk areas requiring helmet use.
Introduce Consequences for Non-Compliance and Establish a system of warnings and penalties for workers who fail to comply. Balance enforcement with education and support to encourage voluntary compliance.
Recognize and Reward those who follows compliance. Offer incentives for teams or individuals who consistently follow safety protocols. Use recognition programs, such as “Safety Man or Champion of the Month,” to reward positive behavior.
Engage workers in discussions about safety measures and get their input on equipment choices. Form a safety committee to address concerns and foster accountability. Promote Peer Accountability by Encouraging workers to look out for each other and remind peers to wear hard hats.
Understand Worker Concerns. Conduct surveys or feedback sessions to identify reasons for non-compliance, such as discomfort or misconceptions. Resolve issues promptly, such as replacing worn-out helmets or improving ventilation in work areas. Address myths or misconceptions about safety helmets, such as “nothing will happen to me” or “it’s unnecessary for this task.” Show some examples about the consequences.
Conduct Regular Inspections of the use of safety helmet in your workplace. Assign supervisors or safety officers to observe the practical use of helmet during work hours. Use checklists and audits to ensure all workers follow the rules. Try to Utilize Technology, use wearable technology or cameras to monitor hard hat compliance where appropriate.
You can start practicing BBS. Give a form of BBS and tell all the workers and employees to report if any unsafe behavior is found in the workplace. In this way workers will be afraid to remove helmet as his colleagues will report in the BBS for the management.
Schedule periodic breaks to allow workers to remove helmets and cool down, particularly in hot or physically demanding environments. This will motivate them and create a personal ethics for wearing safety helmets.
By combining all these strategies, you can instill a sense of responsibility, comfort, and necessity around wearing hard hats, ensuring consistent compliance and fostering a safer work environment.
