SAFETY – PPE
HEAD PROTECTION
HEAD PROTECTION – STANDARDS
Head protection is mandatory on almost every worksite operating in Australia and around the world. The risk of being severely injured by falling objects, restricted headroom or falling when working at height makes wearing a safety helmet an essential part of personal protective equipment. AS/NZS 1800:1998 Occupational protective helmets – Selection, care and use This Standard sets out recommended practices for the selection, use and maintenance of occupational protective helmets meeting the requirements of AS/NZS 1801 for head protection in building work, construction, general industry, underground working, mining, quarrying, forestry, bush fire fighting, high temperature workplaces and other occupations with similar hazards. AS/NZS 1801:1997 Occupational protective helmets This Standard sets out the requirements for three types of protective helmets based on their intended use. It specifies requirements for occupational protective helmets to protect wearer’s heads from falling objects in building and construction, quarrying, shipbuilding, forestry and other occupations with similar hazards. These requirements include the construction and materials of the helmet shell and head harness, mechanical strength of the shell and finish of the helmet. Specific additional performance requirements are given for occupational protective helmets used in high temperature workplaces and for bush fire fighters’ helmets based on industrial helmets. Both Standards above do not cover helmets for motor vehicle users, pedal cyclists, horse riders and structural firefighters. Requirements for such helmets are given in AS 1698, AS/NZS 2063, AS 2063.1 and 2063.3, and AS 4067, respectively.
TYPES OF PROTECTIVE HELMETS MATERIAL
Type 1
ABS Plastic
Type 2
Polycarbonate
Polycarbonate with Type 3 Bush fire applications
ENVIRONMENTS
VARIATIONS
Construction, Building, General, Industry, Mining and Forestry
Vented^ Cooling for high heat environments Non-Vented^ Ideal for dust and chemical environments
High heat environments; foundries and smelters High heat environments; bush fire and wildfire fighting
Full brim^ Provides added protection from falling objects, sun and rain Non-Vented/Full brim only^ *Type 3 is the helmet tested and approved in accordance with AS/NZS 1801 with reflective tape and chinstrap
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ALL BLACKWOODS HELMETS ARE CERTIFIED TO AS/NZS 1801:1997 UNLESS OTHERWISE SPECIFIED
BUMP CAPS VS. SAFETY CAPS • Bump caps are not tested in Australia and do not comply to any Australian Standard • Bump caps are very effective against scrapes, and minor knocks • Bump caps are often recommended for use in domestic security, police, transport and some trades • Bump caps cannot be used in designated environments requiring head protection
HI-VIS HELMETS
• ABS fluorescent coloured helmets are designed to be used in low light areas such as forests, indoors or underground work • In full sunlight, the life of a fluorescent ABS helmet may be reduced • Polycarbonate fluorescent coloured helmets are less likely to be effected by deterioration under high UV light so are ideal for outdoor workers • Damage caused by UV can be identified as the helmet will lose its glossy finish and eventually take on a chalky appearance
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