BEFORE YOU SELECT HEAD PROTECTION COMPARE WITH THE BEST

In any product class, there is an exemplar; an archetype that defines the best in class. The model that all others are compared with. From our experience, numerous testimonials, expert opinion and anecdotal evidence, the archetype in head protection today is the Fibre-Metal by Honeywell, SUPEREIGHT, SWINGSTRAP series. They provide a level of next generation head protection sophistication not available in other brands.

But don't take our word for it.  Find out for yourself, with your employees, on your job, under your working conditions. Using the SUPEREIGHT hats and caps as your exemplar, compare whatever head protection you are using, or are considering using, with them. If you determine that another brand can help you increase the number of employees who wear their head protection, reduce the frequency and severity of head injuries, reduce your injury costs, increase productivity, the quality of work life and ultimately, the profitability of your business better than the Fibre-Metal models, by all means, chose it.  But if what you are using or considering comes up short in a side-by-side comparison, obtain samples to evaluate. Just make sure you have a list of specific things you want to determine. Don't just say "try these to see if you like them". Ask "are these caps more comfortable, are they more adjustable for an individual fit and feel, is the combined full sweatband plus a ratchet better for you, etc."  Use the illustration below as a guide:

You can also refer to our last post for a questionnaire that will help you determine if you are getting everything possible from your head protection. Sometimes it helps to take a piece of paper and make two columns. Label one of the columns "GOT" and the other "GET". In the column labeled "GOT", list the things you have, the things you like, about the present brand you are using. In the column labeled "GET", list all of the things you will get from the Fibre-Metal SUPEREIGHT brand that you are not now getting. If the "GET" column is of value to you in equipping your workers with the best possible head protection, switch to the Fibre-Metal brand. If you are already getting everything you need, and are eliminating as much risk as possible with another brand stay with what works for you. But you owe it to yourself and your workforce to at least go through the comparison and evaluation process.

TIME TO REEVALUATE AND UPGRADE YOUR HEAD PROTECTION

The weather is turning nicer in most parts of the country. Construction, even if at lower levels than in the past, is starting up, and industrial employment appears to be inching up. Now is a good time to take a good look at the head protection PPE you are using or supplying to your employees.

Don't just look at the protective caps themselves. Go back over the due diligence you did when you bought them. Reevaluate your buying decision. Why did you buy that brand and model? What choice criteria did you use? Do you feel comfortable that you learned all you could about head protection before you made your buying decision.  If you don't or you want a quick review, scroll back and re-read our blog posts dated March 21,2011, November 2, 2009, October 13, 2009, and August 13, 2009.

Ask does your head protection help reduce injury costs, increase productivity, enhance quality of work life and improve profitability? A way to check is to evaluate it using the following questionnaire:

If you can answer "yes" to each of those questions, you are using state-of-the-art head protection and your evaluation should just be to make sure that your protective caps are in good condition. Check for torn, frayed or worn suspension straps. Look for any cracks, chips, scuffs or a dull "chalky" appearance. If something doesn't look right, replace it.

But if you answer "no" to any of the questions, check with your current source to see why your protective caps are missing something. Ask them to upgrade you to their model that has all of the above. If they can't, you should change suppliers to one that lets you answer "yes" to the state-of-the-art questions. Fibre-Metal by Honeywell SUPEREIGHT brand head protection is one brand that can help you answer "yes" to everything you need. If there are others, put them side-by-side with a SUPEREIGHT cap, compare them, and select the one that best satisfies your needs.

"Struck by an object" is still one of the most frequent injury causes and head injuries are among the most costly of any injury type. Don't take chances, don't incur any risk that you don't have to and you don't have to as long as you have an upgrade alternative.