Head protection

A safety helmet according to EN 397 protects against falling objects. An industrial bump cap according to EN 812 only protects against your own head bumping into fixed objects, for example in a warehouse with low beams. So a bump cap is not a substitute for a helmet on a construction site.

Plastic helmets age from UV light, even sitting in a cupboard. The manufacturer states a maximum service life, usually three to five years from first use; the production date is stamped in the shell. Replace immediately after a hard impact or if you see discoloration, a chalky surface or hairline cracks.

A cap with a peak or a thick beanie changes the distance between your skull and the helmet shell, exactly the space needed to absorb the impact. Instead use a thin helmet liner made for that purpose, and adjust the harness so the helmet doesn't slide backward.

In addition to the basic requirements, a helmet can have optional markings: -20 °C or -30 °C for use at very low temperatures, +150 °C for very high temperatures, 440 V a.c. for electrical insulation, LD for resistance to lateral deformation and MM for protection against molten metal splash. They are on a label or in the shell, and only marked properties have been tested.

With lukewarm water and a mild soap, after which you air dry the helmet. Do not use solvents, paint or stickers that the manufacturer has not approved, as they can attack the plastic. The sweatband and inner band can be replaced separately, which is convenient if a helmet is used intensively.