Know your standards?
Make sure you're up to date and in the know about the evolution of head protection standards and what to consider when choosing safety head protection.
Ensuring head protection is worn and cared for correctly is key to remaining safe at work at all times.
Protective headgear is now mandatory in any industry where there is a risk of falling objects. An accident could be devastating if no protection is provided, or if it is poorly fitted or inadequate. Our product range provides unbeatable protection and can be worn alongside glasses and ear defenders.
Brain injury can be life-changing for the individual and the wider family. Many people face the risk of head injury at work. Ensuring your head is protected is key to remaining safe and preventing life-changing injury. Head protection accounts for only 3% of PPE purchases, despite a head injury representing more than 20% of all workplace injuries.
When choosing the correct head protection consider the differences between the various characteristics that helmets offer so that you are correctly protected. For example, bump caps don’t offer protection against falling objects, but do against bumps and scrapes.
It’s essential that you are satisfied that the performance characteristics meet the requirements for the environment your employees are working in.
Make sure you're up to date and in the know about the evolution of head protection standards and what to consider when choosing safety head protection.
When choosing your PPE for head protection, carefully consider the differences between the ranges of helmets on the market.
Each helmet provides a variation of protection and there are several factors which determine their level of performance. These factors include weight, helmet cradle, sweatband, ventilation, peak size, the retro-reflective quality of the surface and the badging ability.
Here are some of the different types of helmets to choose from:
Bump caps offer a low level of protection against knocks and static objects. They are often made in a close-fitting baseball cap style and can be equipped with an LED light.
Lightweight safety helmets are extremely useful in very low-risk environments for protection against falling objects. By their nature, they are made from a light material and are perfect to provide protection to those who work in highway maintenance, utilities and low-rise constriction.
This safety helmet is suitable to protect against falling objects which could hit workers on the head. This version is the most common helmet used in the workplace and can be combined with other PPE accessories.
An industrial safety helmet is made with a thick robust shell and usually weighs around 400-500g. This type of helmet provides protection for workers excavating foundations in a hole. Where they are at risk from objects falling from above and from the side.
Climbing helmets could be used by scaffolders to protect against hazards such as a swinging piece of tube. These helmets tend to have a chinstrap to help keep the head protected in cases of a fall.
This helmet is designed for a high risk of objects or debris falling to protect employees working in quarries or mines. Industrial helmets such as this can be combined with safety visors and ear defenders.
The level of protection does depend on the environment you or your employees are working in. However, high-performance industrial helmets are more likely to offer the most protection against falling debris as they are specially designed for working in conditions where objects are likely to fall.
If there is a risk that your head could be hit by a falling object or even a fixed object, this is when you should be wearing appropriate head protection. There are some areas which are designated ‘hard hat zones’, indicating that it is mandatory to wear hard hats in these areas.
Wearing a hard hat could save your life, but only if you are wearing it correctly. Always make sure that the harness suspension is properly adjusted to maintain clearance between your head and the hat. Never alter the shell or suspension as this could affect the integrity of the helmet.
Make sure to avoid putting anything under your hat or adding stickers if the material of the head protection may be designed to be reflective.
The EN standards outline the essential requirements and legislation for head protection. EN 397, EN 443, EN 12492, EN 50365, ANSI Z89 are the main standards for head protection. For it to meet these standards it has to undergo several mandatory tests. Optional additional testing may also be applied in order to achieve the highest possible safety standards.
Contact the Tower team on 01202 718000 for advice and support on head protection in the workplace or fill out a contact form below.
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