Working at heights safety helmets
Across a number of different industries there is a need for working at height whether the user is in the utilities industry, construction industry, oil and gas industry etc. When working in these conditions you need to consider the correct PPE and for the purpose of this blog, we will take a look at the specific safety helmet you need.
Safety helmets are ever present within the industries mentioned above, they provide pivotal protection to the workers head which is protecting our most valuable tool – the brain. The effects of traumatic brain injury can be devastating and not just for the person injured but for the families involved.
There are loads of differing types of safety helmets whether it’s the style, size, peak, vented, colour, safety standard etc. To answer the question as to what safety helmet do you need when working at height its important to understand the safety standards for safety helmets and the most common standards which we will cover is the EN397 & EN12492.
Safety helmet standards:
EN397 Industrial Helmet:
This standard states that they must be designed to protect the wearer from falling objects. Protection against mechanical impacts to the head safeguards the user against possible consequences such as brain injuries or skull fractures. The standard also includes protection against lateral deformation of the helmet, as well as protecting the wearer from dangerous head injuries.
Here is an example of a EN397 safety helmet:
https://www.oakeyssafety.co.uk/product/pv60-peak-view-ratchet-hard-hat-vented/
EN12492 Climbing Helmet:
Protection against hazards that may occur during activities undertaken by mountaineers – requirements:
- Shock absorption, vertical, frontal, lateral, dorsal.
- Penetration resistance
- Carrier element (chin strap releases at min. 500N)
- Strength of carrier element: Chin strap may exhibit maximum elongation of 25mm
- Carrier element effectiveness: Helmet must not slide from the head
Here is an example of a EN12492 climbing helmet: Portwest PS73 Height Endurance Helmet
So, when working at height with a risk of penetration to the side of the head it is essential you wear a EN12492 climbing helmet, when purchasing a EN12492 safety helmet it will have to come with a chinstrap. The purpose of this is clear, when working at height this will reduce the risk of the helmet falling off your head and leaving you unprotected.
The design and build up of the climbing helmets are very differently compared to a standard EN397 helmet so we would not advise using a chinstrap with a EN397 when there is a risk of impact to the side and back of your head as EN397 safety helmets are not tested for this impact.
When working at height you should look to choose a climbing safety helmet as these are designed to keep you protected at height and in potential fall arrest situations.
For more information on fall arrest and height safety, take a look at our previous blog - link here.
