There are many occupations and therefore many tasks that must be carried out in potentially dangerous circumstances. Falling objects of all kinds on the heads of workers is certainly one of them. More specifically, let me quote section 340 of the health and safety regulations.
« 340. Safety measures: Where there is a danger of contact with moving parts, every worker must comply with the following standards:
(1) his clothing must fit snugly and must not have any loose parts;
(2) he is prohibited from wearing necklaces, bracelets and rings, with the exception of medical bracelets;
3° if he has long hair, it must be contained in a cap, helmet or net. »
The same regulation goes on to specify that the wearing of a safety helmet must comply with the standard for safety helmets for industry must be maintained in service, selection, maintenance and use (CAN/CSA Z94.1-05). Its use is quite simple, every worker must wear a helmet when exposed to head injuries.
All new safety helmets must comply with the latest version of the Safety Helmets for Industry: Service, Selection, Care and Use standard, CAN/CSA Z94.1.
As you may know, this type of equipment is also designed to protect the face with a clear face shield that is worn in addition to standard eye and ear protection. Another preventive measure is that the screen should be supported by a headband or a device that fits the safety helmet.
In addition, several people have already mentioned to me a practice that seems commonplace that could have a significant impact in the event of an incident. In fact, several clients and employers ask workers to put a sticker on the safety helmet indicating their emergency telephone number (or their union hall number, or their company logo, etc.). In itself, this is a very good practice, as it allows all staff to have at their disposal information that may be important in case of need. However, when the work is finished, workers forget to remove the tights on their helmets. Many keep these stickers on their helmets and add emergency numbers from other customers on their helmets. I am sure you will understand the impact of such a practice. By leaving this type of sticker on their helmet, they also leave the glue on it, which in this way attacks the plastic covering of their protective equipment. In other words, the protection of their equipment is reduced.
It is the same with the bad habit that many people have of leaving their safety helmet in the sun after their workday. The heat thus repeated on their helmet gradually weakens the firmness of the shell covering their head.
But what exactly should a helmet be able to do?
– It must be able to absorb shocks up to 5 kN (1 daN ≈ 1 kg; 1 kN ≈ 100 kg).
– it must be puncture-resistant up to a mass of 3 kg
– it must be flame resistant
– it must be protected against artificial ageing
– his jugular must be able to withstand a force of 25 DAN
– And other requirements relating to the anchorage and width of the chinstrap, the ventilation surface, the wearing height of the helmet and the materials used in its construction.
Safety helmets are used in a number of areas. For scuba divers, all-terrain vehicle operators, butchers. Obviously for construction workers. This is the case in many fields.
There is a lot of discussion about the expiry date in different applications. For example, what about the “expiry” date on helmets for off-road vehicles? The Occupational Health and Safety Regulations contain this answer. Section 286 states the following for off-road vehicles (conditions of use):
[…]
5° the driver must wear the following personal protective equipment:
(a) A helmet for motorcyclists and snowmobilers that comply with the Motorcycle and Snowmobile Helmets Regulations (chapter C-24.2, r. 6); […].
This regulation states that:
Every person riding on a motorcycle, moped, in an adjacent body, on an off-road vehicle covered by the Act respecting off-road vehicles (chapter V-1.2) or in a sled or trailer drawn by such a vehicle must wear a helmet that conforms to one of the following recognized standards of the manufacture, sale, installation and use :
1° Canadian Standards Association standard CAN-3-D230;
(2) U.S. Department of Transportation DOT FMVSS 218;
(3) American National Standards Institute Standard “Specifications for Protective Headgear for Vehicular Users Z90.1”;
4° Standard of the Snell Memorial Foundation;
5th standard of the British Standard Institute;
6° “ECE Regulation 22” standard of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe.
The helmet must bear, at all times, the mark affixed by the manufacturer in accordance with the requirements of the manufacturing standard. This is what is written in point 10.3 of the Canadian standard: CAN-3-D230.
Instructions.
The manufacturer must securely attach to the helmet a brochure containing at least the following information:
(a) the intended use of the helmet;
(b) notes on cleaning, particularly of the display if it is supplied with the helmet;
(c) a warning against inappropriate modifications; and
(d) protection limits.
Between 2006 and 2010 in Quebec alone, 44 events occurred in the heads and faces of workers. That is to say, 8 head and 36 facial accidents.
The safety helmet is therefore an indispensable piece of protective equipment. The helmets presented are intended for construction workers. Here is a non-exhaustive list of equipment available at Sylprotec.
North ZoneTM safety helmet by HoneywellTM with a four (4) point attachment cap. The cap adjusts at several points to adjust the size (under the headband), height (rear attachment points) and tension (ratchet neck strap). This helmet is meets CSA Z94.1-15 specifications, type 1, class E. Sold individually, 12 units per case.
V-Gard® Super VMD by MSATM safety helmet with a four (4) point attachment cap. The cap adjusts at several points to adjust size (under headband), height (rear attachment points) and tension (ratchet neck strap). This helmet is meets CSA Z94.1-15 specifications, type 2, class E. Sold individually, 20 units per case.
Omega II® Safety Helmet by Erb SafetyTM with a four (4) point attachment cap. The cap adjusts at several points, including the headband, which swivels and has a ratchet to adjust the tension around the head. This helmet meets the new requirements of the CSA Z94.1-15 standard, type 2, class E. Sold individually, 12 units per case.
V-Gard 500® ventilated safety helmet by MSAMC with a four (4) point attachment cap. The cap adjusts at several points to adjust size (under headband), height (rear attachment points) and tension (ratchet neck strap). This helmet is meets requirements of CSA Z94.1-15, type 1, class C. Sold individually, 20 units per case.
Liberty® Safety Helmet by Erb SafetyTM with a four (4) point attachment cap. The cap adjusts at several points, including the headband, which tilts and is equipped with a ratchet to adjust the tension around the head. This helmet meets the new requirements of the CSA Z94.1-15 standard Type 1, Class E. Sold individually, 12 units per case.
V-Gard® Safety Helmet by MSAMC with a four (4) point attachment cap. The cap adjusts at several points to adjust size (under headband), height (rear attachment points) and tension (ratchet neck strap). This helmet meets requirements of CSA Z94.1-15, type 1, class E. Sold individually, 20 units per case.
V-Gard® by MSAMC minor Safety Helmet with four [4] attachment points. The cap adjusts at several points to adjust size (under headband), height (rear attachment points) and tension (ratchet neck strap). This helmet meets requirements of CSA Z94.1-15, type 1, class E. Sold individually, 20 units per case.
NorthTM Everest® minor Safety Helmet by Honeywell features a (6) six-point attachment cap, ratchet adjustment mechanism and a wide headband around the entire circumference of the head. The cap adjusts at several points to adjust the height and tension. This helmet is meets requirements of CSA Z94.1-15, type 2, class E. Sold individually, 20 units per case.
General characteristic of standard construction helmets.
The safety helmets for construction workers have a high-density polyethylene (HDPE) shell. This safety helmet (or construction helmet or hard hat) is Type 1 and Class E meets requirements according to the CSA Z94.1-15 standard, which means it is a legal safety helmet in Canada that provides physical protection for the top of the head and electrical protection with a current rating of 20,000 volts. This model of helmet offers the advantage of being able to be worn on a regular basis, with the paddle in front, but also with the paddle in reverse orientation. The rear mode allows you to see upwards if necessary; it also allows you to wear a visor if necessary, such as during welding work. This construction helmet is also ANSI/IESA Z89.1 2014 certified. The ratchet adjustment system adjusts from a diameter of 6 ½ inches to 8 inches which ensures that the helmet remains in a safe and comfortable position.
You will find other models of safety helmets and accessories at Sylprotec. You can buy online or at their store in Saint-Leonard. You’ll find a wide range of gloves, safety harnesses, first aid kits, knee pads, safety vest, posters of all kinds and more.
Sylvain Patrice f.p.t.
By the same author:
The rules regarding the height at which your portable fire extinguishers must be attached.
How many fire extinguishers do I need to install and what size extinguisher should I choose?
Steps for performing an inspection on portable fire extinguishers.
Emergency lighting the principles of operation.