Aug. 19, 2024
Security & Protection
When people think about construction workers&#; head gear, hard hats will generally come to mind first. After all, photos of workers with hard hats, as they worked on skylines decades ago, have become iconic.
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But now, more and more hard hats are being upgraded to helmets since they offer more protection, leading to a decline in employee injuries and downtime, along with a rise in construction jobsites&#; profits.
Without question, the primary benefits of helmets are protection and, in turn, safety. Not only are they able to shield against falling objects, but some will protect you from impacts, too. In addition, they&#;ll enhance your safety if you ever fall, as they&#;ll remain firmly in place. Often featuring attachable visors and ear protection, while also being equipped with&#;or comprised of&#;high-visibility materials, helmets are American National Standards Institute (ANSI) compliant (ANSI Z89.1-, in particular) as well.
Aside from safety, helmets will also offer you several other benefits, including enhanced visibility, the potential for branding, regarding each user&#;s particular company and department, and sun protection. Furthermore, they&#;re well ventilated, resulting in high comfort as you complete your job tasks, irrespective of your shift&#;s length.
As you prepare to purchase a new helmet or replace your current hard hat with a helmet, consider the following five options, as they provide a wide array of benefits, concerning comfort, durability and safety.
AOLAMEGS Safety Helmet.
Comprised of Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS) material, this lightweight, durable helmet features a one-finger adjustment strap that&#;s easy to access. Suitable for most users&#; head sizes, the helmet also has a clear visor that will protect your eyes, regardless of the environment you work in. As a result of its design, the helmet meets ANSI Z89.1, Type 1, Class C standards, which the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requires. Additionally, the helmet has sling vented holes that can be effortlessly opened and closed, depending on the conditions you&#;re encountering at any given time, enabling you to work in practically any environment.
Best Features: One-finger adjustment strap; sling vented holes
Price: $45.99 &#; Buy construction helmet on Amazon.com
Black Knight Safety Helmet.
Due to its six-point suspension system, this helmet can conform to your head&#;s shape, leading to high impact protection and comfortability. If your head size is between 21 and 25 inches, you may adjust the helmet&#;s size by rotating its nape ratchet. However, if your head is smaller than that, you might need to adjust the helmet&#;s headband&#;s position by changing its linking straphangers. Available with a clear visor, the helmet also has a chin strap that can be removed, along with ventilation slots that may be opened and closed. And since its outer shell is comprised of ABS, the helmet has high impact resistance, too.
Best Features: High impact resistance; six-point suspension system
Price: $50.89 &#; Buy construction helmet on Amazon.com
GREENDEVIL Safety Helmet.
Also offering a six-point suspension system, this helmet will, in turn, enhance your overall comfort, while absorbing shocks as well. Featuring a replaceable soft cotton core sweatband that has a porous coating, the helmet provides optimum sweat absorption, too. Furthermore, it has a highly comfortable, convenient chinstrap with a molded chin-cup, resulting in high stability. Able to be effortlessly removed, the helmet has one adjustable size that practically fits everyone. In fact, the helmet&#;s size can be adjusted with one hand, as you&#;ll never have to remove it to alter its size. And it has a high-visibility design, ensuring you&#;ll remain safe in low light conditions.
Best Features: Cotton core sweatband; one adjustable size fits nearly everyone
Price: $35.99 &#; Buy construction helmet on Amazon.com
Malta Dynamics Safety Helmet.
Providing a lightweight design, as it only weighs 1.25 pounds, this helmet also has a six-point suspension system, which can be adjusted to conform to your head&#;s shape. As a result of this personalization, you&#;ll be comfortable and protected from various impacts. Offering more coverage than typical hard hats, the helmet also has an adjustable head band, leading to further comfort. In addition, the helmet, which is available in three colors (black, blue and white), has an optional visor attachment that&#;s either clear or tinted. Providing adjustable sliding air vents that enable you to control its temperature, the helmet is also ANSI certified.
Best Features: Adjustable sliding air vents; six-point suspension system
Price: $60.99 &#; Buy construction helmet on Amazon.com
UNINOVA Safety Helmet.
Featuring eight adjustable vents, this highly ventilated helmet offers something for everyone, whether you need coolness in the summer, dryness in the rain or warmth in the winter. Providing a six-point ratchet suspension system, the helmet is especially comfortable for users whose head sizes are between 20 and 25 inches. ANSI approved, the helmet also meets EN166 and EN 397 requirements. Additionally, it has sweatbands that can attach to its interior, enabling it to absorb sweat before it ever runs into your eyes. Offering side slots as well, the helmet consequently allows you to install a face shield or a headlamp on it for further protection.
Best Features: Eight adjustable vents; six-point ratchet suspension system
Price: $65.99 &#; Buy construction helmet on Amazon.com
How long will I typically be able to use my construction helmet?
If your safety helmet is properly maintained and hasn&#;t endured any type of impact, its shell should be able to be used for up to five years. However, to ensure longevity, its suspension must be replaced once a year.
How exactly should I clean my helmet?
To clean your helmet and its suspension, use mild soap and warm water, while completely rinsing, wiping and air drying each of them. You should always avoid solvents though, as they may damage your helmet&#;s protective elements.
And how should I store it?
Ensure you store your helmet in an area that&#;s clean and dry. Avoid sunlight exposure at all costs, as sunlight and ultraviolet light will eventually damage your helmet&#;s shell.
IRONPROS Tip: Pair these safety helmets with high-visibility vests for complete protection on construction sites!
In many industrial working environments, for example, mining, power, construction, and forestry, the risk of head injury to workers is constantly present. The most serious risks are physical injuries, which can be as a result of the impact of a falling object or collision with fixed objects at the workplace. Due to the nature of these work activities, it is not always possible to eliminate such risks with just appropriate organisational solutions or collective protective equipment. Therefore, the only way to ensure the safety of workers is by using safety helmets. The type of helmet will depend on the specific nature of the physical risks that have been identified in the risk assessment undertaken for the activity. This article provides information for users of protective helmets as well as employers and OSH engineers. It includes information on definitions and gives the requirements for different kind of protective helmets that offer protection against physical risks.
Personal protective equipment (PPE) means all equipment which is intended to be worn or held by people at work and which protects them against one or more risks to their health and safety, and any addition or accessory designed to meet that objective. All PPE should be used as a last resort to reduce the risk taking into consideration that the risk will not be eliminated.
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Safety helmets are one of the most frequently used forms of PPE. Safety helmets will protect the user&#;s head against:
In general, protective helmets, or hard hats, should:
All employees working in areas where there is a possible danger of head injury from impact, or from falling or flying objects, or from electrical shock and burns, shall be protected by protective helmets. Safety helmets must be worn when performing most construction works, works in the vicinity of lifting equipment (cranes, hoists, etc.) and suspended loads, works in forestry, works in cisterns, wells, shafts, tunnels, etc. In these situations the use of a safety helmet will help protect against injuries to the scalp, skull and cervical vertebrae.
It is the responsibility of the employer to conduct a risk assessment and determine the need for head protection at the workplace.
In some situations the safety helmets serves as a base for other kinds of PPE i.e .will be used together with other PPE, e.g. hearing protection, face visors or respiratory protection equipment. In these situations it is important that the suitability and the compatibility of the different PPE are considered.
Figure 1 shows the construction and the individual components of an industrial safety helmet.
All safety helmets should come with instructions on how to correctly adjust and adapt the helmet for each individual user&#;s needs. It is therefore important that before using the safety helmet, the user should read and become familiar with these safety instructions.
When adjusting and positioning a safety helmet on the head, the user must ensure that the:
EU legislation distinguishes between two areas of regulations regarding personal protective equipment. The first is discussed in Directive 89/656/EEC [1], which determines the obligations of the employer regarding ensuring safe use of personal protective equipment. The provisions of this Directive also include employers&#; obligations connected with the necessity to use personal protective equipment. Safety helmets should be appropriately selected by the employer, based on a risk analysis, and delivered to the employees free of charge. The employer is also responsible for the maintenance of safety helmets and their replacement, in particular if the used items have reduced protective properties.
The second area of regulations with regards to personal protective equipment is connected with Regulation /425/EU [2] . It concerns the rules of placing the products on the common market, i.e. the assessment of conformity with essential health, safety and ergonomics requirements (EHSRs). Therefore, hard hats, should meet the requirements of the Regulation referred to above. It follows from these requirements that the manufacturer of hard hats &#; or their authorised representative &#; is responsible for the conformity of the products placed on the EU market with the essential requirements specified in the Regulation, which is confirmed by placing a CE mark on the product.
The minimum information that should be included with the helmets is:
A helmet which offers additional protective features may also have a label on the shell with information regarding:
Operating manual / Safety Instructions Under Regulation /425/EU the manufacturer is required to provide safety information regarding the hard hat in their technical file. All safety helmets should come with an operating manual / safety instructions which should cover all relevant information such as: safety features, adjustment methods, how to fit it properly onto the user&#;s head, maintenance, storage and repairs / replacement. These instructions should be clear and comprehensible.
According to EN 397 [3], the most common and basic form of PPE aimed at protecting an employee&#;s head is an industrial safety helmet. Regardless of the differences in their structural protection, these type of helmets will feature the following components: shell, harness and headband.
Figure 1: Construction of an industrial safety helmet. 1 &#; shell, 2 &#; harness, 3 &#; harness fixing, 4 &#; headband, 5 &#; sweatband, 6 &#; peak, 7 &#; chinstrap.The helmet&#;s shell is the rigid outer section of the helmet, and is usually made from polyethylene, ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene &#; a thermoplastic) or fibreglass hardened with polyester resins The basic function of the shell is to provide protection by reducing the force of a falling object striking or impacting on the users head. Depending on its design, the shell can have a peak, a brim or a rain gutter, ventilation openings, or attachment devices for eye and face protection and ear protectors.
The harness is the internal part of the helmet (fastened to the inside of the shell) consisting of a system of strips made of woven bands or polyethylene. The main purpose of the harness is to absorb the energy from an impact on the shell and to spread the force evenly over the wearer&#;s head, minimising the risk of harm to the user. It should be noted that a helmet, with the harness closely attached to the rim of the shell and without any additional protective padding, will not provide effective protection against any lateral impacts [4], [5], [6], [7]. However, helmets with shells of sufficient rigidity [3] will also provide partial protection of the user&#;s head against any lateral forces.
The shell and harness have been designed to work together in the helmet as a unit when fitted the correct way round i.e. the peak facing forward. The harness should not be removed and refitted so that the helmet can be worn backwards because the helmet has not been designed to absorb impact when worn in this way.
The headband is the part that contours the head at the height of the forehead and the base of the skull and, together with the harness, allows for the stable positioning of the helmet on the user&#;s head. The headband is equipped with two adjustment mechanisms for changing its length and the wearing height, and this increases its stability when positioned on the head. Most industrial protective helmets will have a sweatband incorporated in the headband which acts as a sweat-absorbing pad.
Industrial safety helmets can also have additional equipment which does not need to be included, such as a chinstrap that is designed to keep the helmet in place and prevents it from falling when workers move their heads or they might include grips for attaching other personal protective equipment elements, e.g. eye and face protection.
Industrial bump caps (standard EN 812) [8] should only be used in workplaces where the risk assessment has identified no hazards from objects falling from above and only a danger of superficial head injuries caused by light impact against structural elements. In these cases an industrial safety helmet [3] would not be required.
By wearing an industrial bump cap, workers can avoid the following discomforts:
The most important elements of an industrial bump cap in comparison with designs that comply with the specifications in EN 397 [3] is their lower mass and their smaller dimensions. Figure 2 shows an example of an industrial bump cap.
Figure 2: Construction of an industrial bump caps. 1 - internal shell, 2 - nape band, 3 - protective paddingBump caps consists of a thin polyethylene shell, a harness and a headband which is made of plastic by an injection method. Bump caps can also be made of textile materials (making them approximately 50% lighter than helmets complying with EN 397) and equipped with a special protective padding.
There are industrial workplaces where the risks of head injuries are so high that industrial safety helmets compliant with the EN 397 [3] are not sufficient to provide a suitable degree of protection. Examples of industry sectors where such workplaces exist include mining and construction. In such cases, the risk assessment undertaken would have identified that employees must be equipped with high performance industrial safety helmets i.e. helmets that comply with EN [9]. Compared to the helmets compliant with the EN 397 [3], these helmets are characterized by the following properties:
High performance industrial safety helmets also consist of a shell, harness and a headband. The most popular method of enhancing the helmets shock absorption properties and provide protection against lateral impact, is by the introduction of protective padding that absorbs the energy from the impact and therefore reduces the forces transmitted onto the user&#;s head. This padding is usually made of foams with adequate force-deformation ratio properties, e.g. polyurethane or high-density polystyrene. An example of such a design is shown in figure 3.
Figure 3: Construction of a high performance industrial safety helmet. 1 &#; shell, 2 &#; harness, 3 &#; headband, 4 &#; sweatband, 5 &#; chinstrap, 6 &#; protective paddingThe design of these types of helmets includes a more stable method of fitting onto the user&#;s head in order to prevent it from falling during an impact, especially lateral ones. This additional stability is reflected in the construction of the headband, the chinstrap and the system of supporting the helmet. Better resistance to penetration is achieved by using shells made of thicker or harder materials. However, achieving this additional protection results in an increase in mass of the helmet and therefore an additional load on the user.
To provide the users head with a suitable level of protection against physical factors, the helmet must be properly selected, fitted and used.
The term &#;selected" refers to the employer undertaking a comprehensive risk assessment to establish the need for head protection within the area and to determine its suitability. It is important to note that all PPE should be used as a last resort and only after implementing other controls. With regard head protection the employer will have a choice of three different types of head protection i.e. industrial bump caps, industrial safety and high performance industrial safety helmets.
According to the above-mentioned standards EN 397, and EN safety helmets must comply with a series of requirements, which relate to the following issues:
Special purpose helmets have to comply with additional requirements regarding:
In order to provide proper protection of the user&#;s head against mechanical impact, safety helmets must be suitably selected from different types and constructions. When making a decision on the selection of a particular helmet, the employer must choose taking into consideration the following factors:
The helmet shall maintain its safety parameters in the entire range of temperatures occurring at a workplace. There are four categories of helmets classified according to this feature:
Performing tasks that can cause the helmet to fall down from the head (e.g. using it together with personal protective equipment for the protection of falls from a height
Proper use means following the rules and instructions specified by the manufacturer in the operating manual e.g. conditions and ways of using the product, recommended methods of maintenance and storage as well as the conditions for qualifying a helmet for withdrawal from service.
The most important rules of proper use of safety helmets include:
Statistical data regarding occupational accidents show that the most common cause of head injuries are impacts from falling objects and impact against sharp and hard items. The consequences of such an occurrence depend principally on the kinetic energy of the impact and the shape and hardness of the material coming into contact with the head. Injuries caused by mechanical factors may affect skin on the head, skull, brain and neck segments of the spinal cord. In extreme cases, these injuries may lead to permanent disability or even a person&#;s death.
All the tasks related to the selection, maintenance, training in safe use, conducting inspections and running a register of safety helmets is the responsibility of the employer.
When it follows from a risk assessment the user must wear a safety helmet from the very beginning of his work and for the entire duration of the shift and is responsible for using head protection equipment in accordance with its purpose. He shall also notify the employer or a suitable occupational health and safety representative of any defects of this equipment.
However, one must remember that the use of helmets does not eliminate dangerous factors but only reduces the gravity of their consequences.
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