FIBERGLASS HEAD PROTECTION IS NEEDED FOR EXTREME WORK ENVIRONMENTS

An Internet website, claiming to provide information on head protection, proclaims "No hard hats are made from fiberglass, just HDPE and polycarbonate." It is an example of how much misinformation is posted on the Internet. Fiberglass protective caps are not only available, they are being produced from advanced fiberglass/resin molding compounds that make them better then ever before.

Fiberglass is not just a hard hat alternative material, it has practical, functional application in specific industries and working conditions. The elevated radiant heat and harsh environments of outdoor construction sites, steel mills, shipyards, foundries, forges, fab shops and chemical plants make fibreglass caps the head protection of choice for those industries where thermoplastic caps might not hold up.

Quality fibreglass head protection is stronger, more durable, more heat resistant, more abrasion resistant, more chemical resistant and less affected by weathering than plastic hard hats. It provides a longer service life and better ROI in extreme working environments.

The leading brand on the market today, as it has been since it pioneered fiberglass head protection more than 60 years ago, is Fibre-Metal ROUGHNECK by Honeywell. The Fibre-Metal brand has moved through three generations of fiberglass/resin molding compounds over the years. They started with preformed fiberglass shells with resin added by hand; improved on that with premixed sheet molding compounds; and today they use an advanced, proprietary fiberglass filled resin that is injection moulded instead of the traditional compression molding process.

The result is a technically advanced, high performance protective cap that gives users more of the things they need in fiberglass head protection. The current Fibre-Metal ROUGHNECK by Honeywell cap is 37% stronger than prior models and more than eight times stronger than ordinary HDPE caps. The standard P-2N series provides protection at up to 325 degrees F and the P-2HN series provides protection at up to 500 degrees F.

While the material is new and improved, the Fibre-Metal ROUGHNECK by Honeywell retains the classic Fibre-Metal smooth crown design and includes the top performing Fibre-Metal by Honeywell SUPEREIGHT suspension and Impact Energy Control System. So anyone needing the added durability and extra heat protection of fibreglass caps can also enjoy the extraordinary comfort and protective performance that Fibre-Metal brand head protection delivers.

As always, if you need fibreglass head protection, do your due diligence. Look at all available brands. Compare them in terms of your needs. If you find something better than the Fibre-Metal ROUGHNECK by Honeywell brand, by all means use it. And let us know so that we can let others know.

But to respond to the head protection website that we referenced at the beginning, yes, there are fiberglass hard hats available, they are better than ever, and they satisfy the needs of a significant share of the head protection market.
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This blog post is for information only. It is not an endorsement of any product for any purpose. The information provided is the opinion and experience of the writer and is the latest and best information available at the time of posting. The selection of any PPE product for any purpose is the sole responsibility of on site, competent safety officials. All information presented here should be verified by the manufacturer as part of the evaluation process. Failure to do so could result in injury or death.