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Serious question, is the old-school hard hat really better than a modern bump cap for light topside work?
I worked a harbor cleanup job in Seattle where the company rule was full hard hats for everyone, even for simple deck tasks. I switched to a proper bump cap for those jobs and the difference in comfort and head movement was huge, without giving up the needed protection from overhead pipes. The old guard said I was cutting corners, but after a 10 hour shift, my neck didn't feel wrecked. Has anyone else made this switch for lighter duty, or am I the odd one out?
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harpery4720d ago
That whole "we've always done it this way" mindset is everywhere, not just on a work site. It's like people get stuck on the symbol of safety, the hard hat, instead of the actual goal of keeping someone unhurt. Your neck feeling okay after a long day is a pretty good sign the right tool was used for the job. Makes you wonder what other simple comfort changes get shot down just because they look different, right?
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masongonzalez19d agoMost Upvoted
Remember when everyone thought safety glasses had to be uncomfortable to be effective? It took years for lightweight, low-profile options to become accepted gear, all because the old bulky style was the "real" safety look. Sometimes the symbol really does get in the way of the function.
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