Get to know the U.S.A & European Standards for Safety Helmets
Unsure what kind of safety helmet you need? What helmets comply with what standard? Where to start? At ZERO, want to make sure staying compliant is second nature, especially when it comes to premium protection that is keeping your head safe. There’s a lot to know and a lot to pay attention to when it comes to safety helmets– so we’ve done the research for you.
ANSI/ISEA Z89.1 Standard – U.S.A.
ANSI helps employers follow OSHA regulations. The performance criteria for head protection is provided in ANSI Z89.1 American National Standard for Industrial Head Protection, which is incorporated in OSHA’s 29 CFR 1910.135 and by reference in 29 CFR 1910.6. ANSI Z89.1 requires four performance tests that must be met in order to assign a safety helmet type and class, which are:
- Force Transmission
- Apex Penetration
- Flammability
- Electrical Insulation
Safety Helmet Types: There are two types of protective safety helmets under this classification system that refer to impact/penetration protection:
- Type 1: Designed to reduce the force of impact resulting from a blow to the top of the head
- Type 2: Designed to reduce the force of impact resulting from a blow to the top, front, back, and sides of the head
Safety Helmet Classes: To improve comprehension and usefulness, there are electrical-protective classifications for helmets as follows:
- Class G – General Helmet: Designed to reduce exposure to low voltage conductors, proof tested at 2200V
- Class E – Electrical Helmet: Designed to reduce exposure to high voltage conductors, proof tested at 20,000V
- Class C – Conductive Helmet: Not intended to provide protection against contact with electrical conductors
Operating Temperature Range:
- Basic temperature applications from -18°C (0°F) to 49°C (120°F) – No special marking on the helmet
- Low-temperature applications down to -30°C (-22°F) – Labeling on the helmet “LT”
- High-temperature applications up to 60°C (140°F) – Labeling on the helmet “HT”
Additionally, all safety helmets must feature a hard-outer shell and a lining that absorbs shock and incorporates a headband. Straps should suspend from the shell about 1-1¼ inches.
It is important to know that all safety helmets that adhere to ANSI/ISEA standards should be permanently marked with the manufacturer, the date of manufacture, ANSI designation, the Type and Class designation, and the head size range on the inside of the helmet shell. If your current safety helmet label is missing or is no longer legible, it is recommended that you replace your safety helmet as soon as possible.
EN Standards – Europe
EN 397: The European standard code of practice (EN 397) provides guidance for manufacturers of safety helmets to ensure that minimum material grades are used. It also establishes the requirements for the testing of safety helmets, as safety helmets must be designed to protect the wearer from falling objects. Such protections safeguard the user against possible consequences such as brain injuries or skull fractures. The standard also includes protection against lateral deformation of the helmet.
The helmet will comprise of two main parts – the hard outer protective shell and the inner harness. All helmets certified according to EN 397 must meet these requirements:
- Shock absorption, vertical
- Penetration resistance (against sharp and pointed objects)
- Flame resistance
- Chin strap attachment: chin strap releases at minimum 150N (Newtons) and maximum 250N
Additional specifications are provided for ear muff attachment points and chin strap attachment points.
EN 50365: Standard covers insulating helmets aimed at use on low voltage installations, which must provide protection against electric shocks and prevention of dangerous electric current passing through the head. Requirements include:
- All helmets must also meet the requirements in accordance with EN 397
- Protection against alternating voltage of up to 1000 V (AC) or direct voltage up to 1500 V (DC)
- Insulating helmets must not contain any conductive parts
- Air vents (if available) must not allow any accidental contact with live parts
EN 14052: Standard covers high performance industrial helmets, which must provide protection against falling objects and lateral impact along with the resulting damage to the brain, skull, and neck. Requirements include:
- Shock absorption, vertical, and lateral
- Penetration resistance, vertical, and lateral
- Fastening system yield: Chin strap yields at minimum 150N and maximum 250 N
- Fastening system effectiveness: During the shock absorption and penetration test, the helmet must not become detached from the test head
- Flame resistance
EN 12492: Helmets for mountaineers must provide protection against hazards that may occur during activities undertaken by mountaineers. Requirements include:
- 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