Alexandra - Head Protection Buying Guide

Head protection
Buying guide

Head protection
Buying guide
Choosing the right head protection
Head protection is required in almost every industry where there is a risk of being
injured when working in areas of restricted head space. Head protection can prevent
impact from falling or flying objects, risk of head bumping and hair entanglement.
Alexandra provides a range of helmets, hard hats and bump caps for a variety of working
environments from low to high risk.
Safety helmets and other head protection needs to protect the wearer from falling or
flying objects, collapsing structures and protruding extensions. Choosing the correct
protection for your head is one of the most important decisions you will make when
working in a high risk environment or in the construction industry where there is the risk
of objects falling on the head.
Alexandra’s chosen suppliers offer unrivalled levels of head protection and comfort.
All industrial safety helmets and bump caps are produced under an ISO9001:2000 quality
system and manufactured on the latest computerised injection moulding equipment.
Their helmets offer high levels of impact protection whilst providing the wearer with
lasting comfort. All of their industrial safety helmets are tested and certified to the
European Standard EN397. In addition, all head protection is batch release tested using
purpose designed equipment employing the latest techniques.
Head protection should:
• Be in good condition. If it’s damaged, throw it away.
• Fit the person wearing it and be worn properly.
• Not stop you wearing hearing protectors as well (when needed).
Examples of hazards which may require head protection:
• Construction environments with
scaffolding. Although the environment
may be safe, protection is still
necessary to reduce the risk of head
injury. All employers should issue all
employees with head protection on
a construction site.
• A roofer working on an unsafe structure
with potential to slip if unsafe.
• Maintenance worker.
• Self-employed or agency contractor
within an unknown and potentially
dangerous environment.
European standards
Harmonised European Standards for
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) have
been developed as the preferred means of
demonstrating equipment conformity with the
basic health and safety requirements (BHSRs)
of the EC Personal Protective Equipment
Directive (89/686/EEC). Only equipment which
meets these BHSRs is entitled to carry the CE
mark and is to be sold for use in the EU.
EN14052
Requires that the same helmet is tested twice,
once on the crown and once on either, the
left or right side, front or back. Together with
the testing height of up to 2.5 metres, passing
EN14052 means this helmet can take 3 times
the impact of any other EN397 helmet on
the market.
EN397
The basic specifications in EN397 contain
tests for shock absorption, penetration
and flame resistance as well for chinstrap
anchorage.
EN50365
Electrically insulating helmets for use on low
voltage installations.
EN812
Used in the industry to protect the head when
it is hit by hard or static objects that can stun
or cause lacerations and superficial injury
to the wearer. These products are primarily
intended for indoor use but can also be used
outside in certain working environments.
Alexandra West Park House Midland Way Thornbury Bristol BS35 2NT
t 0333 600 1111 f 0333 700 2222
alexandra.co.uk
August 2015