Staying ahead

HEAD INJURIES are the leading cause of workplace fatalities in the UK, making up almost 27% of reported fatal injuries in 2021/22. Despite head protection being a mandatory requirement for the majority of sites, a staggering 3535 total recorded incidents of head injury in the same period, 33 of which were fatal, shows more must be done to protect workers¹.

In addition to issues with non-compliance, incorrect selection and poor product condition can contribute to an increased risk of head injury. Too often helmets are selected without careful consideration for the task, environment and wearer. Providing proper head protection involves more than simply choosing the most basic model to be left in a work van and replaced when it gets dirty. As a piece of vital, potentially life-saving equipment, a safety helmet should be carefully selected, used correctly with certified compatible products and well maintained to ensure long-lasting protection. 

Selection

Selecting the correct type and level of protection is the first step. There are different styles of helmets providing varying kinds of protection and the type required will depend on the work task and environment.

Industrial safety helmets meeting EN 397 are intended for working at ground level in an industrial setting. These products offer protection against impact and penetration risks to the crown of the head. For working at height, an EN 12492 helmet may be a more appropriate selection. EN 12492 products offer impact and penetration protection to the crown, sides, front, and rear of the head. 

Helmets conforming to EN 12492 feature a mandatory chinstrap which is tested to ensure it does not break or stretch under 500N of force, whereas products meeting EN 397 do not have the same mandatory requirement, and an optional chinstrap must release under 150-250N of force. This is to allow quick removal of the helmet, helping to prevent a wearer becoming caught in machinery in an industrial setting. EN 12492 helmets, however, must remain on the head in case of repeated impacts from falling objects or swinging motions in a climbing setting. It is therefore important to make sure you choose the right type of protection for the task and environment.

High-performance helmets conforming to the EN 14052 standard provide a higher level of impact and penetration protection to the sides, front, rear and crown of the head. EN 14052 products are specified for use in demolition and other heavy duty works, as well as certain emergency service roles. Testing is carried out at multiple angles and impact sites around the shell to simulate multiple ejected objects striking the helmet from different directions. 

Bump caps, meeting EN 812, are lighter duty products intended for protection against light bumps and scrapes to the head from stationary objects. A bump cap should never be selected for protection against falling objects or in any situation where a safety helmet is mandated. 

Compatibility

To stay safe on site, workers are often required to wear other PPE in addition to a safety helmet, such as ear defenders and eye protection. Products that are worn together must be compatible. Compatibility of PPE involves more than just fitting together, equipment must perform at the correct level when worn in combination. 

Helmet-mounted ear defenders enable combined head and hearing protection. Ear defenders intended to be used with a safety helmet must be tested and certified as a combination. Testing ensures that the products fit correctly together, remain durable throughout usage life and, most importantly, that the hearing protection performs at the correct level. Helmet-mounted faceshields are also tested in combination with compatible products. This ensures the faceshield performs at the correct level and works with the helmet without causing damage. 

Using bolt-on products that are truly compatible is key to ensuring all PPE items are able to provide the intended level of protection. Helmets with integrated eye protection and complete above the neck systems can simplify selection by offering certified compatibility. 

The use of incompatible products or accessories can also impede the performance of the head protection. Fitting unapproved accessories beneath the helmet harness has the potential to compromise the protection offered by the product. 

Helmets must be fitted correctly to work correctly. In order to protect against head and neck injuries, the helmet shell and harness work together to absorb impact. If the helmet is not correctly fitted it cannot absorb energy at the intended level.

The zone between the outer shell of the safety helmet and the head of the wearer is the critical area in which the maximum level of impact absorption and penetration resistance must be incorporated, along with features to offer optimum wearer comfort and adjustability. Any addition in this area must stand up to testing in order to prove its viability and enhancement of the complete system. Attaching padding or liners that are not approved to the relevant standard can decrease the product’s protective performance.

One common example of incompatible accessories seen on many worksites is the wearing of hoodies beneath safety helmets. A hoodie can affect how the helmet’s nape strap is positioned, preventing the ratchet system from tightening against the back of the skull and nape of the neck. This allows the helmet to shift on the head and can reduce the level of protection offered should an impact occur, putting the wearer at an increased risk of injury. 

Head protection manufacturers offer warmers and liners that are designed and tested to work with safety helmets, ensuring the correct level of performance. Compatible PPE accessories are designed to fit properly for maximum adjustment and comfortable wear. Investing in compatible products helps to make sure head protection works as designed and discourages the use of unapproved alternatives. 

Care and maintenance

Several million used safety helmets are sent to landfill every year in the UK. As one of the cheaper and more widely available pieces of PPE, helmets are sometimes treated as throwaway items. How often do you see them dropped on the ground, used to carry other equipment, or left on the dashboard of a vehicle in the sun? Without the appropriate care and maintenance, head protection is more prone to damage and a limited lifespan. 

Safety helmets are tough but repeated poor treatment and rough handling can reduce the performance offered by the product when you need it most. When cleaned, maintained and stored correctly, a good quality helmet can provide years of protection, helping to reduce the overall amount of plastic sent to landfill and minimise waste and costs for businesses. 

Regular inspection is crucial to identify damage. Avoid applying stickers and labels to enable thorough inspection and prevent potential material degradation caused by incompatible adhesives. Keeping the helmet clean makes it easier to spot any defects. If you find signs of damage to the helmet’s shell, or if it has been subjected to an impact, then the complete product must be replaced, however providing the helmet is damage-free then good maintenance and storage practices can help to maximise its usage life. 

Many helmet components are replaceable, allowing wearers to replace just the parts required. Replacement sweatbands and harnesses extend usage life, increasing hygiene and comfort so the product can be reused for longer. Washable sweatbands provide a way to keep helmets cleaner without creating material waste. Optional chin straps used with EN 397 and EN 14052 helmets are replaceable for hygiene purposes. Using washable and replaceable components helps to keep the helmet in great condition, increasing the duration of protection offered by each product. 

Storage is another important aspect of maintaining head protection. Safety helmets should not be stored in extreme temperatures or left in direct sunlight. UV light can damage the integrity of the shell material, increasing the risk of cracking and reducing the overall impact absorption performance of the product. Avoid leaving helmets in the dashboard or window of a vehicle to make sure they last.

Safety, sustainability and savings

Choosing a high quality product that offers the appropriate type and level of protection is important to make sure the helmet is able to protect wearers against devastating head injuries. Use equipment correctly with compatible bolt-on products and accessories to ensure the head protection can absorb the energy of an impact as intended, and to preserve the performance of other products. Proper cleaning, maintenance and storage maximises usage life. By keeping helmets in good condition, they can provide protection for longer, bringing sustainability benefits and cost reductions. Head protection manufacturers are able to offer advice on selecting safety helmets and compatible products, as well as how to clean and maintain the equipment, for confidence in choosing long-lasting PPE. Look after your helmet to ensure safety, improve sustainability, and make savings. 

References

Louise Charlton is technical copywriter at JSP Safety. For more information visit jspsafety.com