Selecting the correct head protection is imperative to ensuring safety at work. With many types of safety helmet and head protection products on the market it can be hard to know which is best to choose.
Often selection will be primarily based on the type of risk encountered and applications. Head protection is covered by different standards and classes which determine the types of protection offered by a product, and therefore the types of risks they are suitable for use against. Other important considerations include wearer comfort and compatibility with other PPE.
EN 397 – Industrial safety helmets
This type of product provides impact protection and penetration resistance to the crown area. Additionally, the standard includes options such as resistance to lateral deformation, against a risk of crushing, molten metal resistance, and 440V electrical insulation.
Traditionally the most commonly used, EN 397 helmets are suitable for many construction and industry applications. The helmet is intended to absorb and reduce the impact of falling objects to protect the wearer from dropped tools, bricks, or other heavy objects falling from above.
This type of helmet does not require a mandatory chinstrap. Optional chinstraps must release under a force of 150 – 250N if caught up creating danger for the user.
EN 12492 – Helmets for mountaineers
Trends toward higher energy impact and side protection have seen growing numbers of customers specifying mountaineering helmets, conforming to EN 12492. Though the standard refers to ‘mountaineering’ helmets, EN 12492 helmets are also used for working at height due to the type of protection offered.
These helmets provide crown impact protection up to 100J, plus side, front, and rear impact tested to 25J, compared to 50J crown-only required by the industrial standard. This helps to protect the wearer against impacts to the head as a result of swinging, for example.
Chinstraps are mandatory for EN 12492 helmets, and they are tested to ensure they do not break or stretch when tested with a force of 500N. This is so the helmet remains secure in case of repeated impacts, such as those possible in the event of a fall from height.
EN 14052 – High performance helmets
These helmets are intended for use in high-risk environments, such as demolition and quarrying. They are tested with 50J impact energy on the side, front, and rear – double that in EN 12492 – and 100J on the crown.
EN 14052 helmets provide heavy duty impact protection against projected and falling objects to the crown, sides, front, and rear of the head, but may not be as lightweight or comfortable to wear as a different type of helmet.
The optional chinstrap for high performance helmets must release under a force of 150 – 250N, as with EN 397 helmets.
EN 443 – Helmets for fire fighting
In the European standards, requirements for firefighters’ helmets are given in a separate specification, EN 443. These types of helmets are intended for use by those fighting fires in buildings and other structures. Helmets for fire fighting are designed to protect against specific dangers encountered in this application, such as radiant heat, flame, and falling hazards.
International helmet standards
Standards for other regions cover specifications and requirements for multiple helmet types, with different types of impact tests and specialised requirements for protection in certain environments.
ANSI Z89.1 – Industrial head protection
This American national standard establishes types and classes of protective helmets, depending on the type of hazard encountered. It includes specifications for helmets designed to offer protection from top-only impact – similarly to an EN 397 helmet – or with top and lateral impact resistance for additional side protection. ANSI Z89.1 also includes an optional ‘reverse wearing’ requirement in which the helmet is tested while fitted in reverse orientation.
AS/NZS 1801 – Occupational protective helmets
Similarly to the American and Canadian helmet standards, the Australian and New Zealand standard sets out requirements for protective helmets for use in different occupational settings, such as building and construction, quarrying, shipbuilding, and forestry. It defines three helmet types:
Type 1 — General industrial safety helmets
Type 2 — Helmets intended for high temperature workplaces
Type 3 — Helmets intended for bushfire fighting
CSA Z94.1 – Industrial protective headwear
This Canadian national standard sets out performance requirements to protective headwear for industrial, construction, mining, utility, and forestry workers. It establishes types and classes of protective headwear, depending on the hazard encountered, with performance requirements and tests applicable to each type and class.
GB 2811 – Safety helmets
This National Standard of the People's Republic of China specifies the technical requirements of occupational safety helmets, inspection rules and their identity. This standard applies to generally-used work helmets, with special performance requirements that only apply to helmets used in the corresponding places, such as fire resistance and lateral pressure resistance.
ISO 3873 – Industrial safety helmets
This standard seeks to harmonise requirements for industrial safety helmets globally, however in its current form, though many helmets meet the standard, it is rarely claimed or specified. Unrevised since 1977, regional standards have overtaken it with updates. ISO 3873 is currently being reviewed and updated to be re-released.
Helmets can meet multiple regional standards – for example, one helmet can conform to EN 397, ANSI/ISEA Z89.1, CSA Z94.1, and AS/NZS 1801 fully with no conflicts. Helmets that comply with multiple standards are often best to select as they encompass a wide range of important features and are independently tested multiple times in different ways. Read more on international standards here.
Electrical protection
Helmet standards include optional requirements for electrical resistance. This type of protection is intended for use against a risk of contact with electrical installations. Risks from electric arc require an arc flash faceshield and other specialist equipment.
EN 397 and EN 14052 include optional tests for 440V electrical properties. An additional European standard, EN 50365, gives requirements for electrically insulating helmets for use on low voltage installations up to 1000V. This standard is only applicable to helmets meeting the requirements of EN 397 or EN 443. Other regional standards include multiple electrical requirements, such as ANSI Z89.1 which offers two classes tested at 2200 and 20,000V.
EN 812 - Bump caps
Bump caps are close-fitting baseball style caps intended for protection against bumps and scrapes from static objects, tested with an impact energy of 12J. Safety helmets are designed to reduce the impact of falling or projected objects, whereas bump caps provide protection where there is a risk of colliding with stationary hazards. These types of product are therefore suitable for use in situations where stationary structures posing a risk to the head, such as working around low ceilings or pipework, or on an automated production line, but must not be selected for use where a safety helmet is required.
Comfort factors
Comfort is an important consideration in selection of head protection. PPE must be comfortable to ensure items are worn correctly, especially when required for longer durations. Safety helmets and bump caps are available with ventilation, helping to keep wearers cool in warm environments and during extended wear. Sun capes and warmers can be used to adapt products for varying weather conditions.
The harness and adjustment system can affect how comfortable a helmet is, as well as how easy it is to use. Textile harnesses can offer greater comfort over longer wear times. Adjustability is important to ensure a firm and secure fit. The adjustment should be easy to perform with one hand to fit and remove the helmet.
Compatibility
Where other PPE needs to be used with head protection, the products to be worn together must be compatible. Though it may seem logical to assume that two or more items fitting together means they will work together, that is not always the case. Products must be tested and assessed in combination to ensure they can be used safely together and provide the correct levels of protection. Helmet-mounted eye protectors conforming to EN 166 or EN 1731 should be assessed on the helmets with which they are suitable for use. Testing ensures that the products work together to provide protection at the correct level, without visual distortion or fitting problems.
The EN 352 standards, covering hearing protection, include a dedicated standard for ear muffs attached to a safety helmet. EN 352-3 requires ear defenders to be tested on helmets they are intended for use with, ensuring that each helmet model provides the correct pressure to enable the product to perform effectively, without causing discomfort.
Head protection standards include requirements for certain accessories, such as tests for chinstraps. Other accessories outside of standard requirements, such as thermal liners and neck capes, should be assessed and, where applicable, tested. JSP offer complete above-the-neck solutions for combined protection and offer help with selection of compatible products.
To improve wearer acceptance and reduce non-compliance, it is imperative to select the best helmet for the task and wearer. The risks and applications will largely determine the type of head protection most appropriate. Comfort is an important factor for safety, as ultimately PPE only works if it is worn and maintained correctly, and products must be compatible to ensure proper protection.
Selecting the correct head protection is imperative to ensuring safety at work. With many types of safety helmet and head protection products on the market it can be hard to know which is best to choose.
Often selection will be primarily based on the type of risk encountered and applications. Head protection is covered by different standards and classes which determine the types of protection offered by a product, and therefore the types of risks they are suitable for use against. Other important considerations include wearer comfort and compatibility with other PPE.