| Topic: Protective headwear retention system (chinstrap) | Issued by: Chief Compliance Officer |
| Statute: General Regulation 91-191 | Date Issued: February 26, 2025 |
| Section: 40(4) | Date Revised: |
Question
What are the conditions that require a retention system (chinstrap) for protective headwear (hard hat)?
Answer
CSA Z94.1-15 Industrial protective headwear – Performance, selection, care and use is cited in the General Regulation and provides language similar to Section 40(4) that a chinstrap is necessary when headwear can become dislodged.
The standard provides that protective headwear must remain in place when a force of 12N is applied upward. This means that appropriately fitted headwear will stay on the head when looking down with only an adequately adjusted suspension system. If conditions exist that may cause forces greater than what the suspension system is designed for, a chinstrap is required.
To determine if a chinstrap is necessary, the employer must conduct a hazard assessment of the activities conducted by their employees.
Conditions that must be considered include, but are not limited to:
Referenced Legislation
40(4) The safety headwear shall be equipped with a retention system to secure the safety headwear to the employee’s head when the employee is working in conditions that may cause loss of the headwear.