Hard hat

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industrial safety helmet according to EN 397
Definitive stamp from the accident prevention stamp series from 1972

The industrial safety helmet (also construction helmet or industrial safety helmet ) is a helmet that is prescribed in most modern industrial countries as an accessory for occupational safety on construction sites or other hazardous areas. Helmets for protection against the effects of weapons, on the other hand, are usually referred to as combat helmets or ballistic protective helmets.

The helmet serves to protect the head on the one hand against falling parts and swinging loads and on the other hand it can protect against injuries in cramped situations. Bump caps are also used against the latter .

In Europe, the safety helmet is standardized according to the EN 397 standard. The helmet shell is usually made of hard plastic materials, using both thermosets and thermoplastics . Metals, especially aluminum, were used in the past, but are now rarely used. Thermoplastics age relatively quickly, after four years the helmet has to be sorted out due to embrittlement, with thermosetting plastics after eight years. Depending on the environmental conditions, embrittlement can also occur earlier. Depending on the intended use, the helmet shell is shaped differently, for example it can be provided with a wide rim, a rain gutter, ventilation openings or pockets for various accessories. The helmet shell absorbs the forces acting on it. The interior of the helmet is shaped like a basket. With her the helmet rests on the head. The acting force is distributed through the interior. It is adjustable and consists of different straps. In the case of a protective helmet for head injuries, it can also consist of elastic plastic, for example foam, or a leather insert.

Accessories such as earmuffs or face protection (e.g. for working with chainsaws ) can be attached to many helmets . Other accessories can be a neck protection against moisture or, especially in mining or civil engineering , battery-operated lighting. As a rule, the manufacturer stipulates a maximum mass of the helmet with accessories, which must not be exceeded.

There are also helmets for the following special applications, each of which is specially tested:

  • Use at very low temperatures down to –30 ° C
  • Use at very high temperature, 150 ° C
  • Danger from short-term, unintentional contact with alternating voltages up to 440 V.
  • Molten metal splash hazard
  • Danger from lateral stress

The employer is obliged to instruct and equip employees with helmets .

Depending on the company and activity, the color scheme can be assigned to a function (e.g. carpenter (green), foreman (red), foreman (white)), reflect the company colors or also serve a purpose (e.g. signal colors yellow or red , often white in the food sector and in the rescue service).

Pictograms

The safety helmet is included as a pictogram in mandatory signs .

  • M014 use head protection, DIN EN ISO 7010 (current)

  • Use head protection, DIN 4844-2 (outdated)

See also

Web links

Commons : Safety Helmet  - Collection of images, videos and audio files