Safety helmets for professionals: choosing and using them professionally

On the construction site the safety helmet is perhaps the best-known piece of personal protection. Yet in practice you still often see helmets that sit too loosely, are worn back to front or have been lying in the sun on the dashboard for years. A helmet only protects you properly if it suits the work, fits well and is in good condition. That is exactly where craftsmanship makes the difference: those who know and maintain their equipment work more safely and set a good example for colleagues and apprentices.

👷 An experienced professional recognises risks that someone else overlooks. If you are unsure whether a helmet is sufficient for a particular task, consult your supervisor or the safety adviser on the project. Good advice is never superfluous.

What does a safety helmet protect against?

An industrial safety helmet is first and foremost made to protect your head against falling objects, such as a tool, a bolt or debris from a scaffold. It also protects against bumps against beams, pipes or protruding parts. The shell spreads the impact and the harness (the headband and strap system) keeps a gap between the shell and your skull, so the energy does not go straight into your head.

⚠️ A helmet is no substitute for other measures. Barriers, toe boards, nets and a tidy workplace remain necessary. The helmet is the last line of defence.

Standards in outline

• EN 397 is the well-known standard for industrial safety helmets in construction. These helmets are intended to protect against objects falling from above.
• For work at height, such as on roofs or during climbing work, helmets with a sturdy chin strap are often used so that the helmet stays on in a fall or a misstep. Separate requirements apply to these.
• Other requirements again apply to work on or near electrical installations. That work is reserved for qualified and certified installers.

Always check the label inside the helmet and the product page to see which standards and applications apply. Choose a helmet that suits the risks of your work, not just your preference.

Which helmet do you choose?

At Saniso you will find several versions, for example the white EVO3 safety helmet, the yellow Helius safety helmet, the yellow Evolution 2 safety helmet and the orange safety helmet. When choosing, pay attention to:

• Fit and adjustment. A dial at the back of the headband makes it easy to adjust the helmet properly with one hand, even with gloves on.
• Weight and ventilation. If you wear a helmet all day, you notice every gram. Ventilation openings help against sweating in summer.
• Sweatband. A replaceable sweatband is more comfortable and more hygienic.
• Attachment points. Slots on the side for earmuffs or a face shield make the helmet more versatile.
• Colour. On many projects the colour indicates the role, for example white for supervisors and another colour for operatives or visitors. Follow the agreements on your project.

Chin strap: when and which one?

When bending down, looking up or working on a scaffold, a helmet without a chin strap can easily fall off, exactly when you need it. A chin strap keeps the helmet in place:

• A simple chin strap is suitable for daily work where you bend down or look up a lot.
• A four-point chin strap gives more hold when working at height and in wind.
• A Neck chin strap is an alternative that secures the helmet extra firmly from the back.

If you work at height, combine the helmet with the right fall protection, such as a safety harness, and get instruction on how to use it.

Accessories that complete your helmet

• Face protection: when grinding, chiselling or working with liquids, a Horizon face shield protects your whole face. Always wear safety goggles underneath as well.
• Hearing protection: earmuffs protect against the noise of drilling, sawing and demolition. You can read more about this in our blog on hearing protection.
• Light: an LED headlamp keeps your hands free in crawl spaces, shafts and dark corners. For the whole workplace a rechargeable LED work lamp is handy; see also our blog on work lights.
• Cold: in winter a 3-in-1 balaclava keeps your head and neck warm. Check that the helmet still fits properly afterwards and does not slide.

⚠️ Do not apply stickers with solvent-based adhesive to the shell, do not drill holes and do not paint the helmet. This can weaken the material. Only use accessories intended for your helmet.

Wearing and adjusting it correctly

1. Adjust the headband so that the helmet sits straight on your head, just above your eyebrows, and does not wobble when you shake your head.
2. Wear the helmet with the peak to the front, unless the manufacturer states that wearing it back to front is permitted.
3. Do not wear a cap or thick hat under the helmet unless it is a part intended for that. Otherwise the harness no longer fits properly.
4. Fasten the chin strap so that one finger just fits between it and your chin.
5. Put your helmet on as soon as you enter the site and keep it on until you leave.

Inspection and replacement

Check your helmet before use for cracks, dents, discolouration and brittle spots. Also look at the harness: are the straps still intact and do the fastenings click firmly into place?

• Always replace it after an impact, even if you see nothing. The shell may be damaged on the inside.
• Watch its age. Plastic ages due to sunlight, heat and cold. The helmet usually shows a production date inside. Follow the service life stated by the manufacturer.
• Store the helmet properly: dry, out of the sun and not behind the windscreen or in the back of the van.
• Clean it with lukewarm water and a mild soap. Do not use solvents.

The helmet and the rest of your PPE

A helmet works best as part of a complete set. Think of a safety shoe, gloves, glasses and, where necessary, hearing protection and high-visibility clothing. Which safety class of footwear you need is explained in our blog on the safety classes S1, S1P, S2 and S3. You can find more about working safely on the construction site in our blog on safe working on the construction site.

Frequently asked questions

May I borrow a colleague's helmet?

Preferably not. A helmet must be adjusted to your head and you do not know whether it has taken an impact before. Visitor helmets are available on many projects.

Do I have to replace my helmet if it has been dropped?

A drop from a small height onto a soft surface is usually not a problem, but check the helmet carefully. If it fell hard or absorbed an impact, replace it.

Is a helmet with a chin strap always better?

A chin strap keeps the helmet in place. When working at height, in wind and if you bend down a lot, that is a big advantage. Always follow the project rules and the manufacturer's instructions.

How do I know which colour I should wear?

That is decided by the project or your employer. Ask at the start of the work.

Read also: Grip and feel: nitrile-coated work gloves with grip dots

Where can you find everything for this job?

At Saniso, the online store for DIYers and professionals, you will find tools, materials and personal protective equipment for your job.

• Browse our construction tools and our workwear and safety.
• Create a customer account and order easily.
• Working on a bigger project or want to hand over the job? Request a project quote.
• Book a showroom visit, at least 24 hours in advance.
• Not sure which material suits your job? Get in touch with us.

In doubt about the approach? Feel free to call in a professional.

Saniso – Build your home with Saniso.