Keeping workers safe and cool

The new V-Gard C1 hard hat from MSA safety addresses heat safety concerns by helping to keep workers up to 11 °c cooler.

In the past decade, the world has seen nine of its warmest years on record, according to the US National Centers for Environmental Information. Working outside in the heat can be gruelling, and even more so when it’s a bright and sunny day. To help keep workers safe – and cooler – when working in sunny conditions, MSA Safety, a global leader in the development of safety solutions that help to protect people and facility infrastructures, has introduced the V-Gard C1 hard hat.

The helmet features first-of-its-kind technology that can reduce the temperature inside the hard hat by up to 11 °C. The patent-pending ReflectIR Thermal Barrier technology is applied to the inside of the hard hat; similar to the benefits of a windshield sunshade, the barrier reduces the penetration of the sun’s infrared rays into the hard hat. In addition to the barrier, the C1 features:

• Strategically placed vents to improve airflow through the hard hat, allowing for hot air to flow more efficiently out of the shell
• An expanded brim design that provides more shade and greater sun protection
• A moisture-wicking sweatband made of a breathable foam padding for additional comfort

“Our customers are telling us that heat-related hazards such as heat stress are among the top health and safety hazards faced by workers today on jobsites,” says Greg Martin, MSA Safety’s vice president of product strategy and development. “With the V-Gard C1’s unique features, the inside of the hard hat doesn’t trap as much heat. As a result, the helmet helps workers feel cooler on the job when working in the sun.”

Some of the occupations most impacted by hazards related to high heat include working at heights, on construction sites, and in the oil and gas industry. According to published research from NASA, worker productivity can drop as much as 29% at 32 °C, while worker error can increase up to 300%.

The increasing number of heat-related injuries and deaths among workers has raised concerns with the US Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). It states that more than 3 500 workers in the United States suffer heat-related injuries and illness annually.

“We’ve been working to develop this solution for several years as part of our commitment to help keep workers safe and comfortable,” Martin notes. “We’ve worked diligently to address heat-related concerns, and the V-Gard C1 hard hat represents the latest innovation and investment in our industry-leading hard hat line to do just that.”

While the V-Gard C1 works best at reducing internal temperature in sunny conditions, it can be used anywhere a traditional Type 1 hard hat is used. The C1 is compatible with most full brim V-Gard accessories and is customisable beyond the standard nine available colours. Additionally, the C1 can be configured with reflective striping and logos in multiple positions for a truly customisable hard hat.