Hard Hats, Bump Caps, and Helmets
- Thread starterCrazyTechie
- Start date
CrazyTechie
Well-Known Member
Ha ha, well I'm not a cowboy so the cowboy hat would be out and if I had the glow and the dark hat it would be harder to hide during any games of spotlight tag. 
drummerboi316
Member
kicknargel
Well-Known Member
Our joke is that you wear the hardhat so you can have an open casket at your funeral.
Tex
Active Member
Depends on how many pages it goes through!
Pin or Pen?
I was taught in my Stagecraft class that paint shouldn't be used due to reactions with the plastic. My professor said stickers/tape were okay. I've heard a number of people dislike stickers because they can hide cracks and wear when you inspect the hardhat.
I just leave my hardhat the plain gray that my class collectively decided upon because we couldn't find tie-dye hats...
I'm way late to this topic but I would advise shopping local for most PPE gear. Not only will you get advice about proper fit and be able to try things on, work safety stores are a lot of fun. Here are some ways to find a store near you.
-Just about every town over 15,000 people or so (especially if you have an "industrial district") also has an industrial safety store. Norco for example is a fairly large chain out here in the North West part of the country (and for the OP they even have a location in Salt Lake City). Search your local yellow pages.
-Sometimes welding supply places sell safety gear or they can tell you where to go to find it.
-If your city is large enough to have a Grainger store you'll find a nice collection of safety gear there.
-Some places have industrial clothing stores these aren't quite as fun as a full on safety store, but they do carry some PPE gear. You'll also find awesome Dickies, Carhartt, and work boots here.
-Finally many safety stores are going to sell safety products made by North. You can go to their website and use their dealer location tool.
EDIT: I have created a collaborative article based on this topic. Please go to the new collaborative article "Shopping at a local safety equipment store" and enter the name of your favorite local store or chain.
-Just about every town over 15,000 people or so (especially if you have an "industrial district") also has an industrial safety store. Norco for example is a fairly large chain out here in the North West part of the country (and for the OP they even have a location in Salt Lake City). Search your local yellow pages.
-Sometimes welding supply places sell safety gear or they can tell you where to go to find it.
-If your city is large enough to have a Grainger store you'll find a nice collection of safety gear there.
-Some places have industrial clothing stores these aren't quite as fun as a full on safety store, but they do carry some PPE gear. You'll also find awesome Dickies, Carhartt, and work boots here.
-Finally many safety stores are going to sell safety products made by North. You can go to their website and use their dealer location tool.
EDIT: I have created a collaborative article based on this topic. Please go to the new collaborative article "Shopping at a local safety equipment store" and enter the name of your favorite local store or chain.
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shiben
Well-Known Member
A pin. The part of a shackle you remove by screwing it. I would imagine that would be the easiest to drop, seeing as hooking it on something is inconvenient at best. I suppose you could also drop a pin from wardrobe, but they would probably hate you when the actor warming up sat on it, or a pen, but then the splatter on the helmet would be kind of trippy...
The hard hat should be approved according to EN 397, if you are in Europe. There are a lot of helmets used by riggers that do not look like standard hard hats but have a EN 397 certification even with ventilation. They also fulfill the requirements of EN 12492 for mountaineering equipment.
In Germany black hard hats were standardized especially for theatrical use and for chimney sweepers. Black hard hats are not available in stores, but can be ordered on request immediately.
I found hard hats extremely useful. A dimmable led lamp fixed to the helmet can be much better than any loose flashlight held in the hand. Normally extra holders and ear protection can be adapted for wireless intercoms without tampering the helmet structure.
There are also helmets approved for electricians with visor shield.
In Germany black hard hats were standardized especially for theatrical use and for chimney sweepers. Black hard hats are not available in stores, but can be ordered on request immediately.
I found hard hats extremely useful. A dimmable led lamp fixed to the helmet can be much better than any loose flashlight held in the hand. Normally extra holders and ear protection can be adapted for wireless intercoms without tampering the helmet structure.
There are also helmets approved for electricians with visor shield.
Helmets
My local just added helmets to our list of things we need to start bringing on the job(Surprised it hasn't happened sooner) and I was wondering what you all use company-wise. I had been thinking about getting one of the Petzl Elios Helmets. But I was wondering if anyone had any better ideas or preferences. I haven't really asked anyone in our local yet, But I plan to when I get the chance. But here is the one that I found that seems like the best buy at the moment. Though if there is a better suggested one, I will definitely be putting it into consideration.
Closeout - Petzl Elios Helmet A42
My local just added helmets to our list of things we need to start bringing on the job(Surprised it hasn't happened sooner) and I was wondering what you all use company-wise. I had been thinking about getting one of the Petzl Elios Helmets. But I was wondering if anyone had any better ideas or preferences. I haven't really asked anyone in our local yet, But I plan to when I get the chance. But here is the one that I found that seems like the best buy at the moment. Though if there is a better suggested one, I will definitely be putting it into consideration.
Closeout - Petzl Elios Helmet A42
DuckJordan
Touring IATSE Member
Re: Helmets
Are they paying for them? if not they can't require you to bring them. Out of all the places I've worked, I've only seen one person wear a helmet. It was a down rigger, and he was making fun of a newbie up rigger.
Are they paying for them? if not they can't require you to bring them. Out of all the places I've worked, I've only seen one person wear a helmet. It was a down rigger, and he was making fun of a newbie up rigger.
Re: Helmets
The company that owns the theatre and the arena has asked us- as well as the other house staff to begin wearing hard hats while riggers are in the air. The company will be providing helmets but we being encouraged to buy our own. I am making no complaints since I was considering it anyways- this is just more reason for me to do it. I am just looking for something that's comfortable and going to be easy to work in. ie; tilting my head about, not having my upper vision impaired by the front lip, etc. But I want something that is going to be OSHA approved if I ever went into a venue in the future that requires it(if that is ever an issue).
The company that owns the theatre and the arena has asked us- as well as the other house staff to begin wearing hard hats while riggers are in the air. The company will be providing helmets but we being encouraged to buy our own. I am making no complaints since I was considering it anyways- this is just more reason for me to do it. I am just looking for something that's comfortable and going to be easy to work in. ie; tilting my head about, not having my upper vision impaired by the front lip, etc. But I want something that is going to be OSHA approved if I ever went into a venue in the future that requires it(if that is ever an issue).
Re: Helmets
OSHA requires that a hard hat meet the specifications of the ANSI Z89.1 standard. Guide to Hard Hat Requirements Many sport/mountaineering/rock climbing headwear is not acceptable as a hard hat, but may be suitable as a bump cap.
From Conney Safety – Safety Products, Personal Protective Safety Equipment, First Aid Supplies, OSHA Compliance :
OSHA requires that a hard hat meet the specifications of the ANSI Z89.1 standard. Guide to Hard Hat Requirements Many sport/mountaineering/rock climbing headwear is not acceptable as a hard hat, but may be suitable as a bump cap.
From Conney Safety – Safety Products, Personal Protective Safety Equipment, First Aid Supplies, OSHA Compliance :
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Perhaps a gray area? If they can require, but not pay for, black clothing and steel-toed footwear, why not a hard hat? Mandatory tool lists, anyone?
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Re: Helmets
So, Curious question about the OSHA approved hardhats. What are they rated to take as far as impacts go? If a shackle falls from 100' and slams into the hardhat, will you come out of it with anything more than a concussion? I ask because at that point I wondered how "worth it" the hardhat is to have since a shackle or a wrench is the most common to fall with what we do, if at that hieght and momentum if the hardhat is really going to protect you enough to not permenantly do damage.
And if the mountain climbing helmets are more used as bump caps and not hardhats, is there a reason why companies like Feld and Cirque haven't been requiring the employees to wear OSHA approved gear? Juuust curious. I'm actually now in a more curious and fascinated mood.
So, Curious question about the OSHA approved hardhats. What are they rated to take as far as impacts go? If a shackle falls from 100' and slams into the hardhat, will you come out of it with anything more than a concussion? I ask because at that point I wondered how "worth it" the hardhat is to have since a shackle or a wrench is the most common to fall with what we do, if at that hieght and momentum if the hardhat is really going to protect you enough to not permenantly do damage.
And if the mountain climbing helmets are more used as bump caps and not hardhats, is there a reason why companies like Feld and Cirque haven't been requiring the employees to wear OSHA approved gear? Juuust curious. I'm actually now in a more curious and fascinated mood.
shiben
Well-Known Member
Re: Helmets
I disagree, they totally can. I am required to show up every time with a pair of gloves, an adjustable C wrench, and a multi-tool, in blacks and black steel toed shoes. Its kind of assumed you will get those things yourself. Now, I will accept that a GOOD company will help you pay for stuff or provide it, but many wont, because why would they? And realistically, a hard hat or helmet is something I rather expect to see starting to make it onto required gear lists.
I have a feeling Cirque and Feld are not using climbing helmets, but helmets with straps that look similar but are not. Petzl does make those as well.
I disagree, they totally can. I am required to show up every time with a pair of gloves, an adjustable C wrench, and a multi-tool, in blacks and black steel toed shoes. Its kind of assumed you will get those things yourself. Now, I will accept that a GOOD company will help you pay for stuff or provide it, but many wont, because why would they? And realistically, a hard hat or helmet is something I rather expect to see starting to make it onto required gear lists.
I have a feeling Cirque and Feld are not using climbing helmets, but helmets with straps that look similar but are not. Petzl does make those as well.
