Hard hats are often required in areas where heavy objects may fall and strike the wearer, but they aren't the only type of protective headwear available for working environments. Bump caps are also ideal for many settings. These largely resemble normal caps, but they include an impact-resistant padded shell and offer compelling benefits that keep workers safe.
Unlike hard hats, they are designed more to protect against minor bumps, scratches and lacerations—essentially, they provide protection against wearers striking something rather than against something striking the wearer.
Here are five reasons you should consider investing in bump caps.
1. Helps Maintain Mobility
Some workers require head protection but also need to be able to move around quickly throughout the day. While hard hats are often unnecessary and not suited to such mobile work, bump caps can be worn without restricting mobility in the least.
Their close-fitted design also helps ensure they can stay on without the need for a chin strap, even when a worker is moving around swiftly or not always in a vertical position. This makes them ideal for workers who may be at risk of striking their heads but who still need to move around quickly and move their bodies freely, such as baggage handlers.
2. Doesn’t Fill Up Tight Spaces
Traditional hard hats work well in open environments, but they tend to become problematic when workers regularly find themselves in confined spaces because of the bulky design of hard hats. Workers in those confined spaces will benefit from some form of protective headgear since moving around is more likely to see them knock their head.
Even a superficial cut on the scalp can produce a lot of blood, and a hard bump could even cause a concussion. Bump caps provide the ideal solution. They won't impede movement in tight spaces, easily slide off or get knocked off as you move around, and yet they will still provide protection.
3. Helps Deal With Adverse Weather
Bump caps might be designed mainly to protect against minor injuries, but they also do double duty by helping workers deal with adverse weather conditions. Like standard caps, their peaks will prevent sunlight from interfering with the wearer's vision during bright days and stop rainwater getting in their eyes when the weather turns bad.
Many bump caps are also available either with reflective panels fitted to their sides or in high-visibility fabric, so workers will stand out both at night and during periods of fog or heavy rain. You can even add a DWR (Durable Water Repellent) coating to keep heads dry and warm. These benefits can help avoid accidents, increase job satisfaction and prevent workers getting sick.
4. Stays Comfortable Over Long Periods
Bump caps are so comfortable to wear that workers will often forget they have them on, even when they need to be worn through whole shifts. The materials used help keep them breathable and light, and they won't impair your vision like other forms of protective headgear.
They can also be worn comfortably with items like eyeglasses, safety glasses and ear protection. As such, workers won't be tempted to remove their headgear after it becomes uncomfortable, an act that could result in a minor injury.
5. Creates a Uniform Appearance
Bump caps do not need to be branded, but they are still useful for creating a uniform appearance among your workers. By choosing to provide bump caps of the same colour, you help ensure that workers can be quickly identified even from afar or when most of the rest of their body is obscured.
This can be particularly useful in environments where different types of workers may need to be identified quickly and easily. A uniform appearance will also create a more professional environment.
Whether you want to invest in bump caps for your team or talk through the benefits offered by other types of protective workwear, Ace Workwear will be happy to assist. For further assistance, reach out today.