We have a small warehousing operation. Do we need to have our employees wear hard hats?

OSHA does not have a list of situations where hard hats are required. The employer is required to assess the workplace to determine if there is a potential for an employee to be injured. If there is, then the appropriate PPE is required. The regulation at 1910.132(a)—General requirements says:

“Protective equipment, including personal protective equipment for eyes, face, head, and extremities, protective clothing, respiratory devices, and protective shields and barriers, shall be provided, used, and maintained in a sanitary and reliable condition wherever it is necessary by reason of hazards of processes or environment, chemical hazards, radiological hazards, or mechanical irritants encountered in a manner capable of causing injury or impairment in the function of any part of the body through absorption, inhalation or physical contact.”

The head protection standard at 1910.135(a)(1) says:

“The employer shall ensure that each affected employee wears a protective helmet when working in areas where there is a potential for injury to the head from falling objects.”

If the employer determines that the chances are extremely rare that an employee could be injured from a falling object, or from hitting their heads on a stationary object, then there probably isn’t a need for a hard hat. However, it is the employer who must make the determination.