Drawing

3M 1039788v1
# 205 - 3M™ H-700 Hard Hat with Uvicator™ Sensor
Published: November, 2011
How does the 3M ™
Uvicator™ Sensor
work to address hard
hat degradation due
to ultraviolet light?
Many plastic materials will
degrade over time. Some
factors that can cause this
degradation are: mechanical
(e.g. stress, abrasion, flexure,
etc.), chemical (e.g. acids,
alkalizes, solvents, etc.),
radiation (e.g. gamma, x-ray,
sunlight, etc.) and temperature
extremes or fluctuations.
One way to delay this
degradation is to put additives
into the plastics. However, there
is a limit to the amount of
additives that can be added to
the plastic without affecting the
desirable properties of the
plastics.
Many of the plastics that are
used in making hard hats are
subject to these degradation
factors. One example is
degradation due to extended and
cumulative exposure to sunlight,
particularly the ultraviolet
portion of sunlight. Given that
many wearers of hard hats often
work outside, ultraviolet light
degradation is a major concern
for them. Until now, hard hat
wearers used subjective
methods (i.e. observing for
cracks and chalking and flexing
the hard hat while listening for
cracking sounds) to determine if
their hard hats had been
exposed to too much ultraviolet
light. If performed frequently
enough, these subjective checks
suggest when a hard hat should
be replaced.
The Uvicator sensor is an
objective means of helping to
provide an easily observable
indication that the hard hat has
approached the threshold of
ultraviolet light over-exposure.
The Uvicator sensor is a
patented ultraviolet light
exposure indicator. It is a
plastic disc that has been
infused with a unique pigment
that gradually changes color
upon cumulative exposure to
ultraviolet light.
The disc has a tapering
thickness from top to bottom.
This tapering thickness assists
the observer in seeing a gradual
color change as the hard hat
with the Uvicator sensor is
exposed to ultraviolet light.
Initially the disk is a uniform
red color. Over time, as the disc
is exposed to ultraviolet light,
the disc will gradually turn
white, starting from the bottom
towards the top. When the white
color reaches the top of the disk
it is time to take the hard hat out
of service.
Please be aware that the sensor
does not eliminate the need for
periodic hard hat inspections.
Factors other than ultraviolet
light, such as mechanical,
chemical, ionizing radiation,
and temperature extremes also
degrade the hard hat
material
over time and can lead to
dangerous hard hat conditions.
3M recommends that a regular
head protection replacement
program be implemented by
employers to address the service
life of hard hats.
Replace the hard hat
immediately if any signs of wear,
damage, abuse or degradation
are noticed, even if the Uvicator
sensor has not changed color.
Read and follow instructions for use,
care and limitations of the H-700
series hard hats with Uvicator sensor.
For more information, please contact:
3M Occupational Health and
Environmental Safety Division
(OH&ESD)
In the U.S., contact:
Customer Care Center
1-800-328-1667
Technical Assistance
1-800-243-4630
Internet
www.3M.com/PPESafety
In Canada, contact:
Customer Care Center
1-800-364-3577
Technical Assistance
1-800-267-4414
Internet
www.3M.com/CA/occsafety
©3M 2011. All rights reserved.
3M and Uvicator are trademarks of 3M
Company, used under license in Canada.