The head is one of the most vulnerable areas of the human body. Even a minor impact can lead to severe concussions and more serious blows can lead to life-altering traumatic brain injuries. This is why wearing suitable head protection is crucial for safety while working at height.
Why Helmets Are Important
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Protection from falling debris
A major risk when working at height is objects or debris falling from above. Wearing a helmet can help to protect your head and distribute the force of impact, reducing the chance of injuries from being hit directly by falling debris.
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Impact absorption during a fall
Helmets are comprised of a layer of foam beneath a rigid outer shell that acts as a shock absorber and compresses upon impact, dissipating the force of the fall before it reaches the wearer’s head.
A hard hat is required by law when working at height. The Health and Safety Executive state that if the work you’re carrying out poses a risk of injury to the head, then a hard hat is compulsory.
What Features Do Safety Helmets Need?
- The helmet must be a suitable design for the type of work being carried out.
- The helmet must have a robust chin strap provided to stop it falling off during a fall.
- The helmet must be in good condition. If there is any damage, replace immediately.
- The helmet must fit the worker correctly.
- The helmet must not prevent the wearing of other required PPE like ear protectors or safety goggles.
- The helmet must only be bought from a reputable supplier.
When working at height in the UK, a safety helmet should meet either the EN 397 or EN 12492 standard which specifies the requirements for helmets used in mountaineering, climbing, and work at height; it should also be CE marked and fit for purpose.
At SafetyLiftinGear, we stock a range of hard hats and safety helmets, so you should have no issues finding a helmet that suits your working at height needs in our collection.
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