news | March 20, 2026

How long do hard hats last before they expire?

5 years
MSA hard hat shells should be used no longer than 5 years, while suspensions should be replaced after 12 months. Both are the maximum time frame for replacement, calculated from date of first use. The date of manufacture is stamped or molded onto the hard hat shell, usually on the underside of the brim.

Do hard hats have expiry date?

While there isn’t a legal expiration date for hard hats, most companies use a policy of 5 years from the manufacturing date and 3 from the date of issue. If a hard hat becomes damaged before this time has passed then it obviously needs replaced however the 3 and 5 year rule is good practice to follow.

How long are hard hats good for OSHA?

five years
While OSHA has no specific provision for an expiration date, manufacturers are allowed to determine if their equipment expires on a specific calendar date. In lieu of an expiration date, a generally accepted rule is to replace the support strap yearly and to replace the hard hat every five years.

How often should you replace hard hats?

every five years
Many employers replace all employees’ caps every five years, regardless of outward appearance. If the user environment is known to include higher exposure to temperature extremes, sunlight or chemicals, hard hats should be replaced routinely after two years of use.

How often should hard hats be replaced?

As a general guideline, many large corporations replace all employees’ caps every five years, regardless of the cap’s outward appearance. Where user environments are known to include higher exposure to temperature extremes, sunlight or chemicals, hard hats/caps should be replaced automatically after two years of use.

How do you know a hard hat is expired?

To check the expiry date, you first need to find out when the hard hat was manufactured. It’s this manufactured date that will be stamped onto the hard hat, usually below the brim, simply flip your hard hat over and take a look on the inside.

Is it OK to wear a hard hat backwards?

OSHA specifications require that workers wear hard hats the way they were designed to be worn unless the manufacturer certifies that a hard hat can be worn backward. This means that the companies’ hard hats will still protect against top impact when backward as long as the suspension also is turned around.

Why do hardhats expire?

While OSHA does not indicate a hard expiration date for hard hats, they do expire and become less effective over time. Sun can damage the plastic material. Sweat, liquids and other substances encountered in your daily job may cause your hard hat to deteriorate over time.

How do I stop my hard hat from going bald?

4 Tips to Avoid Any Hair Loss Due to Hard Hat Make sure your hard hat does not fit too tight to the head and has a snug fit. This will allow some breathability and your scalp will not sweat. 2.) Wash your hair regularly after you come back home from work.

How often should you replace a hard hat?

As a general guideline, many large corporations replace all employees’ caps every five years, regardless of the cap’s outward appearance. Where user environments are known to include higher exposure to temperature extremes, sunlight or chemicals, hard hats/caps should be replaced automatically after two years of use.

Can you wear a hoodie under a hard hat?

The bill of the baseball cap worn under a hard hat will not allow the head protection to sit level on the head, in the work position. A hooded sweatshirt, winter liners and cooling headwear should not affect the performance of a hard hat if these products are worn properly and are fitted smoothly on the head.

What does white hard hat mean?

White – Managers, engineers, foremen or supervisors. Brown – Welders and workers for high heat applications. Green – Safety inspector, but occasionally used for new workers. Yellow – General laborers and earth-moving operators. Blue – Carpenters, technical advisers, and temp workers.

Why do hard hats have a brim?

Cap hard hats have a short front brim that helps to shade the face from the sun and keeps rain away from the eyes. Some cap hard hats can also be worn backwards so the front brim is over the back of the neck.