How to Choose the Right Safety Helmet for Your Job

Safety helmets are essential personal protective equipment (PPE) that can protect your head from injuries such as impact, penetration, electric shock, and burns. However, not all safety helmets are the same. Depending on the nature of your job and the potential hazards you face, you need to choose the right type of safety helmet that meets the relevant safety standards and provides adequate protection for your specific needs.

In this blog post, we will guide you through the different types of safety helmets, their features, and their applications. We will also explain the main safety standards that regulate safety helmet requirements and performance. Moreover, we will introduce the common color codes that are used to identify the roles and responsibilities of the workers wearing safety helmets. By the end of this post, you will have a better understanding of how to choose the right safety helmet for your job.

Types of Safety Helmets and Their Features

safety helmets are usually classified into three types: Class A, Class B, and Class C. Each type of safety helmet has its own features and advantages, as well as limitations and disadvantages. Here is a brief overview of each type:

• Class A helmets: These helmets offer impact and penetration resistance, as well as limited voltage protection (up to 2200 volts). They are suitable for general industry workers who are exposed to falling objects or debris, but not to high-voltage electrical hazards. Class A helmets are usually made of hard plastic or fiberglass and have a brim around the helmet to provide shade for the eyes.
• Class B helmets: These helmets offer the best quality of protection against electrical hazards, with high-voltage shock and burn protection (up to 20000 volts). They are ideal for electricians and workers who are exposed to high-voltage environments. Class B helmets are usually made of non-conductive materials and have no brim around the helmet to avoid contact with live wires.
• Class C helmets: These helmets offer lightweight comfort and impact protection, but no electrical protection. They are designed for workers who need ventilation and mobility, but are not exposed to electrical or falling hazards. Class C helmets are usually made of aluminum or plastic and have vents on the top or sides of the helmet to allow air circulation.

Applications of Different Types of Safety Helmets

Depending on the nature of your job and the potential hazards you face, you need to choose the right type of safety helmet that meets your specific needs. Here are some examples of common applications of different types of safety helmets:

• Class A helmets: These helmets are suitable for workers in construction, mining, manufacturing, and other industries where there is a risk of falling objects or debris. They can also be used by road workers, cyclists, and motorcyclists who need protection from impact and penetration.
• Class B helmets: These helmets are suitable for workers in electrical, power, and utility industries where there is a risk of high-voltage shocks and burns. They can also be used by firefighters, rescue workers, and military personnel who need protection from electrical and thermal hazards.
• Class C helmets: These helmets are suitable for workers in forestry, agriculture, and landscaping industries where there is a need for ventilation and mobility, but no risk of electrical or falling hazards. They can also be used by climbers, mountaineers, and outdoor enthusiasts who need protection from impact and lateral deformation.

Safety Standards for Safety Helmets

Safety standards are guidelines and requirements that dictate the design, construction, testing, and performance of safety helmets. These standards ensure that safety helmets provide effective protection against specific hazards and meet certain criteria for quality and safety. According to the web search results from Bing, there are several safety standards that regulate safety helmet requirements in different regions and sectors. Here are some of the most common ones:

• OSHA standard: This is the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration standard that governs safety helmet requirements for general industry workers (29 CFR 1910.135) and construction, demolition, and renovation workers (29 CFR 1926.100). OSHA requires that safety helmets comply with ANSI/ISEA Z89.1, which is the American National Standard for Industrial Head Protection.
• ANSI/ISEA Z89.1 standard: This is the American National Standard for Industrial Head Protection that specifies the types, classes, and testing requirements for safety helmets. It also defines the optional additional features, such as reverse donning, low temperature, high temperature, high visibility, and off-center vertical impact. ANSI/ISEA Z89.1 classifies safety helmets into two types: Type I (top impact) and Type II (top and lateral impact), and three classes: Class E (electrical, up to 20000 volts), Class G (general, up to 2200 volts), and Class C (conductive, no electrical protection).
• EN standards: These are the European Norms that specify the requirements and test methods for safety helmets in various sectors and activities. Some of the most common EN standards for safety helmets are: EN 397 (industrial safety helmets), EN 50365 (insulating helmets for use on low voltage installations), EN 12492 (helmets for mountaineers), and EN 443 (helmets for firefighters).
• CSA Z94.1 standard: This is the Canadian Standard for Industrial Protective Headwear that specifies the requirements and test methods for safety helmets. It also defines the optional additional features, such as reverse donning, low temperature, high temperature, high visibility, and lateral impact. CSA Z94.1 classifies safety helmets into two types: Type 1 (top impact) and Type 2 (top and lateral impact), and three classes: Class E (electrical, up to 20000 volts), Class G (general, up to 2200 volts), and Class C (conductive, no electrical protection).
• 77.1710 standard: This is the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) PPE requirement that specifies the use of safety helmets for miners. It requires that safety helmets comply with ANSI/ISEA Z89.1 or an equivalent standard.

Color Codes for Safety Helmets

Color codes are another way to identify the roles and responsibilities of the workers wearing safety helmets. Different colors can indicate the level of training, experience, authority, or function of the workers. However, there is no universal or mandatory color code system for safety helmets. Different organizations or industries may adopt different color codes according to their own preferences or needs. Therefore, it is important to check with your employer or supervisor about the color code system that applies to your workplace. 

• White: This color is usually worn by engineers, supervisors, managers, and foremen. It indicates a high level of authority, responsibility, or expertise in the workplace.
• Yellow: This color is usually worn by laborers and earth moving operators. It indicates a low level of authority, responsibility, or expertise in the workplace.
• Blue: This color is usually worn by electricians, carpenters, and other technical workers. It indicates a medium level of authority, responsibility, or expertise in the workplace.
• Green: This color is usually worn by safety officers, inspectors, and new workers. It indicates a high level of safety awareness, compliance, or training in the workplace.
• Orange: This color is usually worn by road workers, traffic controllers, and crane operators. It indicates a high level of visibility, alertness, or caution in the workplace.
• Red: This color is usually worn by firefighters, emergency workers, and first aiders. It indicates a high level of urgency, danger, or risk in the workplace.
• Brown: This color is usually worn by welders, boilermakers, and other workers who deal with high heat or fire hazards. It indicates a high level of thermal protection, resistance, or insulation in the workplace.
• Grey: This color is usually worn by visitors, guests, or temporary workers. It indicates a low level of involvement, participation, or familiarity in the workplace.

How to Choose the Right Safety Helmet for Your Job

Now that you have learned about the different types of safety helmets, their features, and their applications, as well as the main safety standards and color codes that regulate them, you are ready to choose the right safety helmet for your job. Here are some steps to follow:

• Identify the potential hazards you face in your job, such as impact, penetration, electric shock, burn, etc.
• Determine the type and class of safety helmet that provides adequate protection against those hazards, based on the features and applications of each type and class.
• Check the safety standard that applies to your region and sector, and make sure that the safety helmet you choose meets or exceeds that standard.
• Choose the color of safety helmet that matches your role and responsibility in the workplace, based on the color code system that your organization or industry adopts.
• Look for the safety helmet’s label or marking that indicates the type, class, standard, and color of the helmet, as well as the manufacturer’s name, date of manufacture, and size.
• Try on the safety helmet and adjust the fit, suspension, and chin strap to ensure comfort, stability, and visibility.
• Inspect the safety helmet regularly for any signs of damage, wear, or expiration, and replace it if necessary.

Conclusion

Safety helmets are vital PPE that can protect your head from injuries and save your life. However, not all safety helmets are the same. You need to choose the right type of safety helmet that meets the relevant safety standard, provides adequate protection for your specific needs, and matches your role and responsibility in the workplace.