Florida Trail Activities in Your Area

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Check out our chapter websites and Meetup groups for activities in your area.  Visit the Chapters page, scroll down to the bottom and look for your county.  Click on the chapter for a county to go to its web page.  Florida Trail Association activities include day hikes, backpacking trips, canoeing and kayaking, bicycling, picnics, and campouts.  Day hikes may focus on birding, plant identification, geocaching or historic sites.  Most activities are held locally, but some chapters travel to other parts of the state or out of state for extended trips.  However you like to enjoy the great outdoors, there's a Florida Trail activity for you!
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Home arrow Resources arrow Safety First arrow Care and Feeding of Hard Hats
Care and Feeding of Hard Hats PDF Print E-mail

By this time, snugging on a hard hat should be second nature for all trail maintenance activities.  But do you know how long you can expect good service from a hard hat or how to check if your hard hat is ready for retirement?

Your hard hat, gloves, boots and clothing form basic protection from injury on the trail.  Your hard hat protects your head from falling objects, penetration injuries, ultra-violet light and rain.  The USDA Forest Service and FTA issue basic hard hats or you are welcome to purchase your own.  Just make sure if you provide your own hard hat that it meets ANSI Z89.1-2003 E & G standards for basic trail work. They do not have to meet the higher NFPA 1977 (1997) unless you are involved with wild land fire fighting.

  While collectively called “hard hats”, acceptable versions actually come in two styles – full-brim and caps (or bump caps).  Either style is acceptable for general trail work and most folks prefer the bump caps for their lighter weight.  Suspension systems come in snap-lock or ratchet styles.  Again, most folks seem to prefer the ratchet for its easy adjustability, but the choice is yours.    Color is not a factor, although FTA has an established a color code of orange for trail workers, blue for Section Leaders and white for FTA Staff.  This is so the “leaders” of the work group stand out and newcomers know who to go to with questions.  But feel free to express yourself if you like.  And since most hard hats look alike, you can decorate yours however you wish so long as it does not compromise the integrity of the shell or suspension itself.  Some options folks might consider adding on their own are chin straps to help keep the hat on your head when you bend over, shades to protect your neck from sunburn, and visors for your face.   Hard hats can be damaged.  Since their purpose is to protect your noggin, give them a little respect and don’t abuse them.  Don’t ever drill holes in them or use them as seats.  Don’t leave them for long periods in direct sunlight, especially in your vehicle.  Don’t use any glue on them that might dissolve the plastic.  Decals and lettering are ok (for non-fire-fighting activities), so long as they are not so large that they might cover up defects like cracks and gouges. 

If a little care is taken, hard hats can last up to 5 years.  Get in the habit of checking your hard hat for damage before and after each use.  Check the shell for dents, cracks, scratches, and gouges.  Does it look faded, flaking, or like it’s delaminating?  Check the straps for cuts and frays, torn headbands or adjustment slots.  If the shell or suspension becomes dirty, wash it with mild detergent and warm (not hot) water.

Exposure to abuse, sunlight and chemicals (such as paint) can shorten the life of your hard hat.  But with a bit of care and periodic inspections your hard hat can provide years of protection.
 
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