According to government safety regulations, what must someone wear when working with materials overhead?

When working with materials overhead, it is critical to wear a hard hat to protect against potential injuries from falling objects. Hard hats are specifically designed to absorb the impact of falling debris and prevent head injuries. This safety equipment serves as a barrier between the head and various hazards, which could range from tools and materials accidentally dropped from heights to larger construction items.

While other safety gear, such as face shields, steel-toed boots, and safety gloves, may be important in various working conditions, they do not provide the necessary protection against overhead hazards. For instance, face shields protect the face and eyes but do not guard against head impacts. Steel-toed boots protect the feet from heavy objects but are not designed to protect the head from falling items. Safety gloves protect the hands but would not prevent head injuries from falling materials. Therefore, the requirement for a hard hat aligns specifically with the necessity of safeguarding the head when working in environments where overhead materials pose a risk.