Take a look at your expiration date

Every hard hat has the date of manufacture imprinted on the inside rim of the hat itself, it is usually in the form of a circle similar to a clock.

To read the date of manufacture, the arrow points to the month and the number in the center is the year.

It is recommended that hard hats be replaced no later than every five years due to natural degradation over time. In some cases and related work environment conditions, hard hats will need to be replaced more frequently.

All hard hats are classified according to the specific impact, and electrical performance requirements they are designed to meet. This classification is also commonly referred to as the ANSI Z89.1 standard.

Better to know, then be sorry

Safety toe work boots are very important for those of you working and performing inspections with heavy equipment, chemicals, or are working around electricity. Without them, you become susceptible to cuts, broken toes (or even feet), sprains, electric shocks, punctures on the bottom of the feet and/or burns.

Steel toe boots are durable work boots, which as the name implies are equipped with an inner steel toe reinforcement to protect against potential injuries to your feet. Steel toed boots in general also have a mid-sole plate to protect from possible puncture wounds from underneath as well.


Most safety toe boots will have symbols on the outside indicating the type of protection the boot offers.  The symbols and description of each are as follows:

• Green Triangle: Class 1 toe cap, puncture resistant sole
• Yellow Triangle: Class 2 toe cap, puncture resistant sole
• White Square: Electrical protection (ohm symbol)
• Yellow Square: Anti-Static protection (SD)
• Red Square: Electrical Conductive (C)
• Fir Tree: Chain Saw cut protection