Are there certain jobs that require head protection?

OSHA does not provide clear-cut guidance as to who is and who is not required to wear head protection. This responsibility remains with the employer, but OSHA does provide guidance under Appendix B to Subpart I. Paragraph 9 of the Appendix includes the following:

“Where falling object hazards are present, helmets must be worn. Some examples include:

• Working below other workers who are using tools and materials which could fall,
• Working around or under conveyor belts which are carrying parts or materials,
• Working below machinery or processes which might cause material or objects to fall, and
• Working on exposed energized conductors.

In additional guidance, OSHA says that employers must ensure that their employees wear head protection if any of the following apply:

• Objects might fall from above and strike them on the head;
• They might bump their heads against fixed objects, such as exposed pipes or beams; or
• There is a possibility of accidental head contact with electrical hazards.

OSHA also says that some examples of occupations in which employees should be required to wear head protection include:

• Assemblers
• Packers
• Wrappers
• Sawyers
• Laborers
• Freight handlers
• Stock handlers
• Construction workers
• Carpenters
• Electricians
• Linemen
• Plumbers and pipefitters
• Mechanics and repairers
• Timber and log cutters
• Welders