Head Protection Safety Standards

BOC keeping your head protection

products compliant

European Standard EN397 specifies the physical and

performance requirements for industrial safety helmets.
Safety helmets are primarily designed to protect the wearer
against falling objects and consequential brain injury and/
or skull fracture. They offer maximum head protection.

All the products in this catalogue satisfy stringent safety

legislation so you can be assured that youre getting the
protection you expect and need from BOC.

European Standard EN812 specifies the quality

requirements for bump caps. Bump caps are intended
to protect your workforce against minor bumps to the
head, typically from low ceilings or hanging items in the
workplace. Whilst they provide protection against small
impacts and minor sharp objects, they are not a substitute
for safety helmets since they do not offer adequate
protection against falling objects and heavier impacts.

Certain performance tests are mandatory for products

to receive EN397 or EN812 approval. The tests cover shock
absorption, resistance to penetration, flame resistance
and chinstrap anchorage, where appropriate. The head
protection products in this catalogue have all successfully
passed the mandatory quality performance tests as shown
in the table below.
Manufacturers of safety helmets also have the option
to submit products for further tests, which result in the
following additional markings appearing on the helmets:
-20C /-30C The helmet will provide some
protection when worn in an environment at or above
this temperature.
440V AC The helmet will protect against short-term
accidental contact with live electrical conductors up to
this voltage.
LD The helmet will provide some protection
from lateral compressive loads.
MM The helmet will provide some protection from a
molten metal splash.

Shock Absorption/Impact Resistance

EN397 Safety Helmets

EN812 Bump Caps

Drop height

1 metre

0.25 metre

Maximum force allowed

5 kilonewtons

15 kilonewtons

Energy transmitted during test

49 joules

12 joules

Striker face and weight

50mm radius hemispherical, 5kg

100mm diameter flat, 5kg

Penetration Resistance

EN397 Safety Helmets

EN812 Bump Caps

Drop height

1 metre

0.5 metre

Energy transmitted during test

29 joules

2.5 joules

Striker mass

3kg

0.5kg

Product safety markings

the symbols of quality

Care & maintenance look after your

head protection and it will look after you

Safety helmets sold throughout the UK & Ireland are

examined against the European Personal Protective
Equipment Directive and carry the following basic
information for tight quality control purposes:

Helmets should be kept clean.

Soap, water and a soft cloth are
all that are required

CE mark
Full date of manufacture
(day/month/year)
Product mould number
Shift number
Material and material properties
Size of helmet

H
 elmets should be stored out of
direct sunlight, in temperatures
between 5 and 25C
H
 elmets should be inspected
regularly and replaced if
anything more than superficial
abrasions or scuffing can be seen
H
 elmets should be replaced at
least once every five years
H
 elmet harnesses should
be replaced annually
H
 elmets should be kept away
from chemicals including paints,
solvents and self-adhesive labels