Helmets for rescue
Mark Taylor
Performance Clothing Research Group
School of Design
University of Leeds, UK
What and Why
We will cover:-
different types of helmet available for use in work at
height and rescue
Quick look at relevant standards
Guidelines on helmet selection
Testing performed on each type of helmet to attain
CE mark.
Actual impact locations on helmet shells
Which helmet ?
It is obvious why those working at height or
involved in vertical rescue should wear some form
of head protection! (I hope so anyway )
The problem is What type of helmet should
they wear?
Generally there has been a choice of three types:
1. Industrial helmets
2. Mountaineering helmets
3. High performance industrial helmets
What is the difference ?
Most helmets look similar.
Most actually offer similar levels of protection
from low energy impacts.
Main differences are in the way they are tested
To be offered for sale as personal protective
equipment (PPE) they have to be CE marked
Standards
EN 397 – Industrial safety helmets.
EN 12492 – Mountaineering helmets.
EN 14052 High performance industrial helmet.
EN 443 – Helmets for firefighting in buildings and
other structures.
EN 16473 - Firefighters helmets — Helmets for
technical rescue
BS 8437 Code of practice for selection,
use and maintenance of personal fall
The Construction (Head Protection) Regulations 1989 require
operatives to wear protective helmets. It is advisable to
follow these regulations even if the workplace is a not a
"site of construction" as defined in the regulations.
Operatives should wear protective helmets that are suitable
for the type of work being undertaken. Helmets that conform to
standards for either mountaineering (BS EN 12492) or
industrial use might be suitable. Some industrial helmets
might not be suitable because some of the performance
requirements considered necessary for the safety of rope
access operatives are not specified in the standard for these
helmets, BS EN 397, (i.e. they are optional) and in earlier
standards were not given at all (e.g. side impact resistance).
Chinstraps on helmets used in rope access work should be of a
design such that when the strap is properly fastened, it
prevents the helmet from coming off the head. This is
typically achieved by the use of "Y" shaped straps where the
two top points of the "Y" are attached to the shell of the
helmet. Helmets should always be used with the chinstrap
fastened. In some work situations, it might be desirable for
helmets to be compatible with complementary personal
protective equipment such as visors or ear defenders.
EN 397 : 2012 – Industrial Helmets
Compulsory Requirements
Shock Absorption (49J Impact - Force < 5kN)
Crown -10°C, +50°C, UV, H2O
Penetration (29J Impact)
Crown -10°C, +50°C, UV, H2O
Chin strap – If fitted
Must release when applied load x, 150N <= x <= 250N
Flame Resistance
Optional Requirements
Shock Absorption -20°C, -30°C, +150°C
Electrical Insulation, Lateral Deformation, Molten Metal
Splash
EN 12492 : 2012 – Climbing Helmets
Compulsory Requirements
Shock Absorption (98J Impact - Force < 10kN)
Crown -20°C, +35°C, UV
Front/ Side/ Rear (25J Impact)
Penetration (29J Impact)
Crown -10°C, +50°C, UV
Chin strap
Must NOT release when applied load <= 500N
Must not roll off to front or rear
EN 14052 : 2012 – High
Performance Industrial Helmets
Compulsory Requirements
Shock Absorption
Crown (100J - Force < 5kN) : Off crown (50J - Force < 15kN)
• -10°C, +50°C, UV, H2O
Penetration – flat blade
Crown (25J - Force < 5kN) : Off crown (20J - Force < 15kN))
• -10°C, +50°C, UV, H2O
Chin strap – If fitted
Must release when applied load x, 150N <= x <= 250N
Must not fall off more than 2 subjects
Flame Resistance
Optional Requirements
Shock Absorption (-20°C, -30°C, -40°C, +150°C),
Electrical Insulation, Molten Metal Splash
EN 443 : 2008 Firefighters Helmets
Compulsory Requirements
Shock Absorption (123J Impact - Force < 15kN)
Crown/ Front/ Side/ Rear
• Thermal shock, solvent, (-10, -20, -30 or -40°C), +50°C, UV, H2O
Projectile test
Penetration (24 & 19J Impacts)
Crown
• Thermal shock, solvent, (-10, -20, -30 or -40°C), +50°C, UV, H2O
Lateral crushing
Chin Strap
Where fitted ?
• Must release when applied load x, 500N <= x <= 1000N
Radiant heat, heat & flame resistance
Resistance to hot solids and molten metals
Electrical Properties
EN 16473 : 2014 Firefighters helmets
for technical rescue
Compulsory Requirements
Area of coverage
Shock Absorption
Crown (50J Impact - Force < 5kN)
Front/ Side/ Rear (25J Impact - Force < 5kN)
• Thermal shock, solvent, (-10, -20, -30 or -40°C), +50°C, UV, H2O
Projectile test
Penetration (30J Impacts)
Crown
• Thermal shock, solvent, (-10, -20, -30 or -40°C), +50°C, UV, H2O
Lateral crushing
Chin Strap
Must have one and be adjustable in length
Must not roll off the headform
Must release when applied load x, 500N <= x <= 1000N
EN 16473 : 2014 Firefighters helmets
for technical rescue
Compulsory Requirements
Flame resistance (shell and cradle)
Lateral crushing
Electrical Properties
Field of Vision
Practical performance assessment – based on 5 experienced
users
Key Differences
Off Centre Impacts
Impact Energy
Chin Strap
Do these matter ?
A quick diversion
A look at some old & new helmet types
Will illustrate with Petzl helmets
Not necessarily a recommendation
Hard shell style
Foam style
Hybrid style
Normal service is resumed....
Impact Locations
Some helmets
Some results
Impact Energy
Some devices only designed to absorb limited
amounts of energy
Spanish TV
Chin strap
Must keep helmet on head
Protects wearer and
Those working below
Water rescue
Water rescue
What is it?
Water rescue
Water rescue
Water rescue
Water rescue
What are the risks?
Oakley (1997, 1998) classified head injury risks
to RIB users as:
A. Falling overboard
i. Striking head against water
ii. Striking head against boat
B. Falling inside boat and striking head
C. Being struck by swinging objects or objects
thrown or dropped onto the boat
B was by far the greatest risk (2.0 per 100 man
years)
Followed by C, then A ii (each 0.03 per 100 man
years)
More risks?
Scoop effect?
Neck injuries sustained when falling at speed/ from a
height into water
Lip of helmet contacts water in an attitude that acts
as a scoop – resulting decelerations are transmitted
to neck
2014 fatality in Italy
This suggested that Elliot could have suffered whiplash
when his helmet hit the water, fracturing a vertebra in his
neck. The telegraph 30th Jun 2014
What is used ?
What is used ?
Multi sport helmets (Camp, Petzl, Salewa)
Kayaking helmets
Water rescue helmets
Some examples
http://gb.msasafety.com/Head-Protection/Fire/c/11203
http://www.helmets.co.uk/fire-rescue-services/cromwell-er1
http://georgiafirerescue.com/index.php?route=product/product&p
roduct_id=254
http://www.geckoheadgear.com/company/
http://www.pacifichelmets.com/index.php?view=marine-fire
http://www.future-safety.com/
http://www.ewetsuits.com/acatalog/Kayaking-Helmets.html#a631
Relevant standards ?
EN 1385 – Helmets for canoeing and white
water sports.
PAS 028 – Marine safety helmets.
EN 16473 – Helmets for technical
rescue
EN 1385 : 2012 – Canoeing Helmets
Compulsory Requirements
Shock Absorption (12.5-25J Impact - Force < 12.5kN)
Crown 0°C, +35°C, UV, H2O
Chin strap
Must NOT release when shock loaded (4kg – 150mm)
Must not roll off to front or rear
Bouyancy
PAS028 : 2002 - Marine Safety Helmets
Compulsory Requirements
Mass < 700g
-20°C, +20°C, UV, H2O (NaCl)
Shock Absorption
Rigid mode
• Crown (100J Impact - Force < 12.5kN)
• Off crown (25J Impact - Force < 12.5kN)
Falling headform
• Off crown (15J Impact - Force < 12.5kN)
Penetration (30J Crown, 15J Off crown)
Chin strap
Must NOT release when shock loaded (5kg – 600mm)
Must not roll off to front or rear
Bouyancy
What should you wear if you are
working at height over water?
Impact energy
Crown Off crown
Standard Energy (J) Force (kN) Energy (J) Force (kN)
EN 397 49 5 n/a n/a
EN 12492 98 10 25 10
EN 14052 100 5 50 15
EN 443 123 15 123 15
EN 14673 50 5 25 5
EN 1385 25 12.5 12.5 12.5
PAS 028 100 12.5 25 12.5
BS 6658:1985 169 15
Why?
Because it is certified for that use
What is different?
Why?
Because it is certified for that use
What is different?
Bouyancy
Chin strap test
Conclusions
Need to assess probable risk and choose helmet
type accordingly.
