How important is the right choice of a safety helmet?

In order for a protective helmet to provide effective protection for the head, it must be well selected. If you know the importance of choosing the right safety helmet and want to know all the factors, check out our article!

The right choice of a protective helmet - the most important factors

Choosing the right safety helmet can be a real challenge. Manufacturers offer many types of helmets and helmets with different properties. Below, we have indicated the most important factors that should be taken into account when choosing:

• There should be a range of headband adjustment on the helmet, which will ensure adjustment to the head circumference.
• The helmet must maintain its protective parameters over the entire temperature range at the workplace. In this regard, four categories can be distinguished:
• the range from -10 ° C to + 50 ° C - is the basic range, which does not have a specific marking on the helmet,

1. -20 ° C - can be used in low temperatures (marked on the helmet: -20 ° C),
2. from -30 ° C - intended for use in very low temperatures (marked on the helmet: -30 ° C),
3. up to + 150 ° C - should be used at very high temperatures (marked on the helmet: + 150 ° C).

• If the work is associated with high physical effort and contact with high ambient temperature, which may be associated with excessive sweating, you should choose a helmet equipped with ventilation holes and a sweatband.
• If the positions taken by the employee pose a risk of the helmet falling off the head, one should choose one with a shaped main belt that fits tightly around the occipital part of the head or has a chin strap.
• When work involves the risk of contact with live parts, helmets with appropriate electrical insulating properties should be used - the marking on the helmet: 440VAC.
• If the activities at the workplace expose the employee to splashes of molten metal, helmets resistant to such effects must be used - they have the marking on the helmet: MM.
• Helmets with increased resistance should be used in the appropriate range when there is a risk of side crushing - the designation on the helmet: LD.
• If it is necessary to use ear muffs and face shields, helmets with appropriate attachment sockets enabling the attachment of such protection should be used.
• If there are other factors that could affect the loss of protective parameters by the helmet (aggressive chemical substances), then this fact should be taken into account when selecting the helmet.
• Helmets with anti-electrostatic properties should be used when there is an explosion hazard at the workplace.

Each protective helmet, in accordance with the provisions of EN 397, is marked with: production date, abbreviation of the type of material used, type, size and a sign of meeting additional technical safety requirements.

Explanation of used abbreviations of materials:

• thermoplastic shell materials:

        ABS - acrylonitrile butadiene styrene copolymer
        PC - polycarbonate
        PE - polyethylene
        PA - polyamide

• duroplastic shell materials:

        UP-GF - glass fiber reinforced polyester

        PF-SF - phenolic resin with textile fiber

Rules for the use of protective helmets

The appropriate selection of a protective helmet is not everything, you also need to remember about the correct use. When using helmets, the following rules should be followed:

• The helmet must be adjusted to the head before use by adjusting the circumference of the headband, wearing height and the length of the chinstrap.
• If the helmet has been subjected to a strong impact or shows signs of damage, such as cracks or deep scratches, it should be absolutely withdrawn from use.
• When the period of use specified by the manufacturer in the instructions has expired, the helmet should be withdrawn from use.
• The helmet must be stored under the conditions specified by the manufacturer.
• It is not allowed to modify the construction of the helmet on your own.
• Maintenance should be carried out according to the methods recommended by the helmet manufacturer.

Service life of protective helmets

The service life of the helmets must be specified in the instructions for use. It is counted from the production date stamped on the helmet shell. Under the influence of sunlight, the duroplastic shells of the helmets will not change. They have excellent aging resistance. The life of the helmets is limited by mechanical impact. In line with the general recommendations of the German trade unions, the use of phenolic resin with textile fiber (PF-SF) helmets for more than 8 years should be avoided. Helmets made of glass fiber reinforced polyester (UP-GF) should not be used for more than 10 years.

Thermoplastic helmet materials are more sensitive to UV radiation than thermosets. Therefore, they should be inspected regularly. If, when squeezing the helmet shell or bending the visor, an audible cracking noise is produced, the helmet shell is crumbling. Such a helmet cannot be used and should be recalled. The expected lifetime of helmets made of thermoplastic materials should not exceed 4 years.

The right choice of a safety helmet can increase your safety at the workplace. See the protective helmets in the BalticWorkwear offer and choose the model for yourself!