According to government safety regulations, what must you wear when working below overhead materials with cranes or hoists?

Wearing a hard hat when working below overhead materials is crucial for protection against potential hazards that may arise from falling objects. In environments where cranes or hoists are in operation, the risk of items dropping or being dislodged increases significantly. A hard hat is designed to absorb the impact and protect the head from injuries that could occur in such scenarios.

Safety regulations underscore this necessity to ensure that workers are safeguarded against accidents that could lead to serious injuries. The hard hat is a fundamental piece of personal protective equipment (PPE) in these situations, emphasizing the importance of head protection specifically in overhead work environments.

Other forms of protective gear, such as safety gloves, ear protection, and goggles, while important in various contexts, do not address the specific risks associated with falling objects in the same way a hard hat does. Hence, the focus on head protection is what makes the response correct in this context.