Head Protection
(17 Article)Effective head protection is not only essential but also compulsory on construction sites. DENIOS building protection helmets comply with DIN EN 397. The helmet shell is made of thermoplastic special plastic (PE) with a pointed rain gutter.
Head protection: a no-brainer for workplace safety
When it comes to safety in the workplace, an adequate form of head protection is one of the most essential pieces of personal protective equipment to have. Designed to prevent injury in the event of falling objects or striking the skull against a fixed struc-ture, safety helmets have long been a staple of industrial work sites and serve as a first line of defence against (potentially fatal) injury. DENIOS offers a wide range of protective visors and safety hardhats that comply with the DIN EN 397 standard while offering premium comfort, a close fit and ventilation – so they can be worn all day long without irritation.
Why must head protection be worn?
As part of the risk assessment, the employer must determine for each workplace which hazards for employees cannot be reduced by technical or organisational measures. Countermeasures must be taken for these hazards. This includes the provision of personal protective equipment (PPE). Head protection is always obligatory when hazards arise from
- Bumping into objects
- Swinging objects
- Falling objects
- Flying objects
are present.
Which head protection is the right one?
As part of its comprehensive selection of personal protective equipment for professionals in various industries, DENIOS has a carefully selected inventory of multifunctional safety hardhats and other head gear from leading brands such as uvex, Honeywell and Schuberth. All hats come with a six-point textile strap to allow for precise head size adjustments, ensuring a secure fit (up to size 64). The DENIOS portfolio includes variants with rain gutters for use in wet conditions, side slots for inserting hearing protection, mounts for visors, and spacious front panels on which to personalise the head gear with a company logo or name as desired.
Industrial head protection is usually provided by hard hats and bump caps. It is important to know that bump caps cannot replace a full protective helmet. They do not protect against falling or thrown objects or moving, suspended loads. The safety helmet must be fitted exactly to the head size of its wearer in order to provide full protection. Ensure that the straps rest directly on the head and that the headband fits snugly but does not pinch. Velcro and twist fasteners allow a particularly comfortable adjustment of the head protection.
Are there different types of industrial safety helmets?
Two standards determine which functions protective helmets must fulfil: EN 397 and EN 50365. Head protection according to EN 397 primarily protects against falling objects and their consequences, such as head injuries or fractures. Optionally, some models meet the "electrical properties" requirement. In this case, they also provide protection in the event of short-term, accidental contact with live parts. If a safety helmet complies with EN 50365, it has electrical insulating properties (AC voltage up to 1,000 V or DC voltage up to 1,500 V). Together with other PPE, they prevent a dangerous body flow through the head. In the DENIOS range you will find helmets that comply with EN 397 and EN 12492 ("mountaineering helmets").
Protective visors and safety hardhats: what is the difference?
DENIOS stocks both safety hardhats and protective visors to cater for all manner of work activities. These two forms of head protection PPE have very specific applica-tions, which is why it is important to understand the distinction between the two in or-der to make an informed decision on which one is right for a given job.
Protective visors
Much like protective glasses, a protective visor is designed to shield the face from im-pacts by flying debris, chemical splashes, UV radiation exposure and heat sources. All visors stocked by DENIOS have anti-fog properties, are easy to fit to the front of a safety hardhat thanks to a durable anodised aluminium mount, and can be combined with hearing protection to provide the maximum in workplace safety. Protective visors are especially suited for professionals responsible for milling, grinding, construction or liquid dispensing activities. After use, the visor can be removed from the hat and stored in a safe location.
Safety hardhats
Made of hard plastic or thermoplastic, this type of head protection PPE is engineered specifically to protect the skull from falling objects and impacts in accordance with EN 397. While the face is left exposed to ensure a wide field of vision, all safety hel-mets in the DENIOS range can be fitted with visors as required. Some variants feature a rain gutter for use in environments experiencing inclement weather.
How old can protective helmets be?
Safety helmets do not have a prescribed, legal service life. Nevertheless, there are guideline values that should be taken into account in order to protect oneself and one's employees in the best possible way. For helmets made of thermoplastic materials (e.g. PE, PP, PC, ABS, PP-GF, PC-GF), it is recommended not to exceed a maximum service life of four years. Helmets made of thermosetting plastics (e.g. PF-SF, UP-GF) should be replaced after eight years. Regardless of the materials, the weather conditions and sun exposure must be taken into account. If a safety helmet is visibly brittle due to high solar radiation, it should be replaced as soon as possible. The safety of the helmet wearer comes first!
Also: Do not drop your helmet on the ground! Because if a safety helmet is subjected to a strong, unintended load, invisible hairline cracks in the helmet can occur, which limit the stability of the helmet!
Did you know that...
... the colour of the helmet can tell you exactly who is wearing the head protection, especially on construction sites?
- White: Visitors, architects, site managers and foremen, laboratory personnel. In mining: miners
- Yellow: labourers, bricklayers, storekeepers. In mining: hewers
- Blue: Sanitary workers, locksmiths (also in mining)
- Red: Foremen, electricians, forestry workers. In mining: Mine guards
- Green: Carpenters. In mining: electricians
- Orange: Ironworkers/ reinforced concrete workers, forestry workers, safety officers (also in mining).
However, these are only unwritten rules. The use of helmet colours is not standardised.
Head gear and safety hardhats: the bottom line
Construction, electrical and mechanical engineering, freight handling, logging, ware-house logistics and more: these types of work can only take place with proper head protection. As well as providing a shock-absorbing shell to cushion the skull against im-pacts, good head gear allows for optimum fit, adjustable ventilation and superior com-fort. Browse the complete range of DENIOS safety hardhats and head gear to find the right personal protective equipment for the job.
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