Personal Protective Equipment

IDENTIFYING HAZARDS

A safety helmet is required in almost every industry where there is a risk of being injured by falling objects.
In areas of restricted head space where accidental bumping of the head could be involved (e.g. overhead piping) a scalp protector (bump cap) should be considered. Bump caps are not a substitute for safety helmets and must not be used to protect the head from falling objects.

EUROPEAN STANDARDS

EN 397 specifies physical and performance requirements of industrial safety helmets. Certain tests are mandatory if the product is to receive EN 397 approval.

These cover:

Shock absorption
Resistance to penetration
Flame resistance
Chinstrap anchorage

A manufacturer can choose to submit his products to additional optional tests. Such tests could lead to one or more of these markings appearing on a helmet.

-20°/-30°C The helmet will provide some protection when worn in an environment at or above this temperature

440V a.c. The helmet will protect against short term, accidental contact with live electrical conductors up to this voltage

LD The helmet will provide some protection from lateral compressive loads

MM Molten Metal splash test

EN 812 is the standard for Industrial Bump Caps, which are intended to provide protection against bumps caused by walking into hazardous projections. A Bump Cap does not provide protection against falling or thrown objects and should not be used where a safety helmet is required.

IDENTIFYING MATERIALS

Shells are primarily made using UV stabilised high density polyethylene (HDPE) or ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene).
Harnesses are made using low density polyethylene or terylene webbing.

SHELF LIFE

To comply with European Standards, all helmets are marked with the quarter or month and year of manufacture. If helmets are stored in boxes in which they were supplied and do not experience environmental extremes, the shelf life of a helmet is not limited. However, it is not recommended that a helmet should be in use 5 years after date of manufacture.

ACCESSORIES

Some helmets have sweatbands, chinstrap or both already fitted. Either can be purchased separately.
Safety helmets can be fitted with eye protection through a range of visors or hearing protection through clip on ear defenders.

CARE AND MAINTENANCE

A helmet may be cleaned with soap and water, drying with a soft cloth.
A helmet should not be cleaned with abrasive substances or solvents and must not be stored in direct sunlight or in contact with chemicals.
The wearer should inspect a helmet regularly. Any helmet showing more than superficial abrasions or scuffing to the shell should be replaced.

BADGE MARKING

All helmets can be personalised with your company name or logo - contact your nearest branch for details.