Value your head

OUR BRAINS are highly complex organs, controlling every thought, emotion, sense, and action we carry out. It is the centre for internal processes that regulate the body, responsible for maintaining our temperature and signalling when we are hungry, as well as the motor skills we rely on to balance and walk. 

A brain injury can therefore be catastrophic. Memory problems, fatigue and reduced mobility can leave a person unable to drive or dress themselves. Their sense of identity may be altered by the injury itself or the effects it has on their daily activities. Relationships and employment opportunities can also be affected, further limiting quality of life. 

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is often caused by a blow to the head resulting from a travelling object impacting the scalp, a fall or other head trauma. Without the right protection, workplace hazards put people at risk of life-changing and potentially fatal injuries.

44 workers died as a result of a head injury sustained at work in Great Britain during 2023/24, making it the most common workplace injury leading to fatality. A further 3562 non-fatal head injuries were reported – this is the highest number we have seen in recent years, increasing from 3470 in 2022/23, and surpassing the previous highest of 3477 in 2018/19.¹

The concerning number of workplace head injuries highlights the risk to workers. To protect people, it is important to choose the right helmet and make sure it is used correctly. 

Careful selection required

Head protection must be correctly specified. The PPE at Work Regulations 1992 require employers to provide suitable head protection selected in accordance with the risk assessment. Careful selection is necessary to ensure it is suitable for the application. With the risks involved, the helmet needs to provide protection against all relevant hazards in the workplace.

Safety helmet standards are always evolving. Whilst the earliest standards specified requirements for crown impact and penetration resistance only, modern head protection is able to offer a higher level of protection and cater for a wider range of hazards. 

New, more advanced standards allow helmets to be used for different types of risk. The introduction of all-round shock absorption and off-crown penetration testing protects against blows to the head from multiple directions, providing protection in for more varied applications. 

When selecting a helmet, choosing the right chinstrap is vital. In some cases chinstraps are optional, available as an accessory to provide greater security if needed. Others are mandatory and supplied pre-fitted. 

Different chinstraps work in different ways. Depending on intended usage, some are required to release under certain forces, whereas others must remain connected to keep the helmet secure in case of repeated impacts. Choosing the correct type is paramount – they are designed to maximise safety in the correct application, but the wrong type could create a hazard. Refer to the risk assessment to make sure you specify the appropriate type of chinstrap for your helmet. 

Choose your helmet carefully to make sure it is appropriate for the hazards and environment. It is crucial to specify the correct standards and performance features. Which standard(s) are required? Should it have a chinstrap? Which type? Does the helmet need to offer electrical protection? Or perform at low temperatures? 

Whilst choosing the right helmet may appear more complicated than in the past, the advances in standards and performance make it possible to achieve better protection. Selecting head protection carefully in accordance with the risk assessment ensures it is suitable for the hazards identified in your workplace.

By the book

To be capable of protecting the wearer, the helmet must be properly tested and certified. Testing assesses the helmet’s ability to absorb impacts and resist penetration by pointed objects. Other assessments include fit and adjustability, checking that the helmet can fit and adjust to the stated size range. 

Without testing there is no guarantee of performance. The helmet may not be capable of preventing injury in the event of a blow to the head. Key optional features, such as electrical insulation, must be properly tested to verify that the helmet performs as required. Using untested, uncertified PPE can increase the risk of injury – a non-compliant helmet provides a sense of safety, making the wearer likely to put themselves at risk, but it may not provide protection.

Head protection is classed as PPE under PPE Regulation 2016/425. Safety helmets must carry conformity markings, including a CE or UKCA mark, and be supplied with a Declaration of Conformity (DOC). The DOC may be either physically provided with the product or available via a weblink on the user instructions or packaging. This document states which standard(s) the helmet conforms to and includes the CE/UKCA certificate number, allowing you to verify that the helmet has been tested and certified. 

When sourcing a helmet, prioritise compliance over cost or fast delivery. Government testing has shown that low-cost PPE from online marketplaces may be non-compliant. 

In 2021-22, the Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) conducted a test programme targeting products that regularly appeared on the OPSS list of recalls and alerts and the EU Safety Gate system – including Category 3 PPE such as height safety equipment and lifejackets. Products were unbranded or from unknown brands, low price range, with quick delivery times, poor reviews, or perceived as low specification.

Despite the stringent testing certification requirements in place for Category 3 PPE, almost 90% of the products purchased were found to be non-compliant. Out of 315 products tested, 276 were non-compliant, compared with only 39 compliant products.² This highlights the potential risks of sourcing PPE online based on price and lead time alone, and reiterates the need to verify that the correct certification is in place.

Purchasing PPE from established suppliers helps to ensure compliance. A level of technical understanding is required to supply safety equipment. Reputable manufacturers and suppliers understand the products, enabling them to offer advice on the best solutions that deliver on safety, ease of use and cost-effectiveness, with fully compliant PPE that protects the wearer.

Looking ahead

Safety helmets need to be used and maintained correctly to provide the intended level of protection. It is critical to make sure helmets are mandated in all areas required by the risk assessment, and check they are being worn when required. 

It is also important to ensure head protection is worn correctly. The helmet needs to be securely fitted with the harness adjusted properly. If the helmet has a chinstrap, it must be adjusted to fit the user and fastened when worn. Check that other products and accessories do not interfere with how the helmet or chinstrap fits.

Helmet attachments and accessories must be compatible. Combining equipment that is not designed to be used together can compromise protection. Wearing a hood, hat or other unapproved items underneath a safety helmet can reduce shock absorption performance, leaving the wearer at risk of injury. Equipment worn with the helmet needs to be designed and appropriately tested for compatibility. 

The performance of other PPE is crucial to consider as well. Ear defenders, for example, must be tested and certified in combination with your chosen helmet to assess attenuation levels. 

Looking after your safety helmet is essential. Storage conditions affect usage life. Helmets left in the sun on the dashboard can age faster, becoming brittle, cracked and requiring more frequent replacement. Helmets should be stored in the recommended conditions to prevent damage from sunlight, extreme temperatures and impacts while not in use. 

Helmets must be kept clean and well-maintained. As well as being uncomfortable to wear, dirty helmets and sweatbands can cause dermatological reactions. The shell and internal harness should be inspected regularly for cracks, damage or other defects. Spare harnesses are often available, however if the shell is damaged the entire helmet must be replaced. Replacing soiled and damaged components ensures the helmet remains hygienic and continues to perform. 

Every helmet has a lifespan and must be replaced when expired. You may need to replace helmets more frequently if required by company policy or relevant legislation. Lifespan for helmets produced by different manufacturers varies. The user instruction leaflet details helmet lifespan and how to check remaining life. In all cases, maintaining your helmet correctly helps to extend its usage life, offering effective protection for longer. 

When the effects of a brain injury can be so devastating, why cut corners on head protection? Testing and certification procedures for PPE are rigorous. Safety helmets must meet the relevant standards and consistently produced to specification. Refer to the risk assessment to choose the appropriate type of protection. Selecting the right helmet is key to making sure it is suitable for the hazards; correct use and maintenance ensures it is capable of protecting workers against lifechanging injuries. Investing in your head protection pays off.

References
1  RIDDOR-reported work-related injuries by site of injury (RIDSITE), 2014/15-2023/24. 
2  OMP product testing programme: October 2021 to September 2022. Compliance of products by product category. 

Louise Charlton is technical copywriter at JSP. For more information visit jspsafety.com.