When working on a construction site in the UK you are required to have a form of head protection on to the required standard which in most cases is an EN 397 safety helmet. These safety helmets are not required by the standard to be fitted with a chinstrap and rely on the ratchet on the back to provide a secure fit for the user.
During this time of year, it becomes increasingly common to see construction workers wear their hood up underneath their safety helmet due to the cold weather, while you might be keeping yourself slightly warmer by doing this, you are seriously reducing your safety.
Why is it reducing your safety?
With a EN 397 Safety helmet you are relying on the ratchet on the back of the safety helmet to keep the helmet on your head, the ratchet is designed to fit underneath your occipital bone on the back of your head. Typically the ratchet is either a slip ratchet or a wheel ratchet. This fits just underneath to reduce the risk of the safety helmet falling off your head. When a hood is being used the ratchet is not getting a secure fit to the head and the occipital bone and wherefore increasing the risk of the safety helmet falling off your head.
Safety helmets have not been tested to work alongside a hood!
What is the risk?
If you have are wearing your hood under your safety helmet and the safety helmet falls off your head, there is a few clear dangers.
Firstly, you may be working at height and your helmet can fall off at a great height which will put unknowing colleagues or pedestrians at danger on ground level. While travelling to the floor the speed will increase the impact the helmet makes, this can cause for serious injury or death.
Secondly, if your safety helmet falls off your head you have no form of head protection while on site. This will leave you exposed to potential falling objects from above, without a safety helmet on the impact of a falling object can again cause serious injury or death.
When working at height you should have a suitable safety helmet, one with additional support to keep it on your head such as a 4 point chinstrap.
It is really worth it when you consider the potential risks to yourselves and others?
What is the solution?
There is a very simple solution, if you are cold on site and you are in need for extra warmth above your neck then there is lots of options in the marketplace for tested helmet liners.
These products are designed to work with the helmet by attaching inside the helmet itself, ensuring you have a secure and snug fit.
Not only do they fit the user better than a hood, but the choice of material makes them a lot warmer and comfortable to wear for long periods of time.
Best Safety Helmet liners
What does the HSE say about suitable head protection?
The HSE lists the following when referring to suitable head protection. Head protection should:
- Be in good condition. If it is damaged, throw it away.
- Fit the person wearing it and be worn properly.
- Not stop wearing hearing protectors as well (when needed).
- Only be obtained from a reputable supplier – there are fake hard hats on the market.
Conclusion
At OAKEYS safety we understand that wearing a hood under a safety helmet is often used across may construction sites and other occupations, this guidance is here to make sure you are informed of the risk and understand what the best solution is. If you have any questions then we would be happy to help and support.
If you have any requirements for safety helmets or other PPE and workwear products then take a look at our online shop within in the link below!
Safety Helmets & Bump Caps
