Comparison of test methods for industrial safety helmets

Project No. BIA 1045

Status:

completed 12/1995

Aims:

When testing the shock absorption capacity of industrial safety helmets in accordance with DIN 4840 the force produced by a steel ball and transferred by the helmet to the test head is determined. The British test method measures the delay of the striker before it hits the helmet. The aim was to suggest a test method which could be included in the European standard for industrial safety helmets.

Activities/Methods:

Test bases DIN 4840: steel ball with a mass of 3 kg, drop height 1,5 m BS 5240: cylindric striker with a mass of 5 kg, drop height 1 m. Different types of industrial safety helmets were tested in accordance with the two national standards; by varying the drop height different energies (45 J, 49 J, 80 J and 100 J) could be tested.

Results:

The investigations show that reproducible results with very little deviation could be obtained by combining the test method specified in DIN 4840, the striker according to BS 5240 and an energy of 49 J. The test method was included in EN 397 Industrial Helmets (5.95).

Further informations:

Last Update:

18 Feb 1999

Project

Financed by:
  • HVBG/BIA
Research institution(s):
  • BIA
  • HSE Sheffield
  • UK
Branche(s):

construction industry

Type of hazard:

mechanical hazards

Catchwords:

Persönliche Schutzausrüstung, Prüfverfahren, Normung

Description, key words:

Personal protective equipment, safety helmets, shock absorption, EN 397

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