Head for heights

The above the neck PPE market is highly competitive in Europe and local producers often dominate their respective country due to their historical presence and easier market access. However, as end users become more global in their approach, they begin to compare solutions from all across Europe. As a consequence manufacturers who regularly develop new products and broaden their accessory range are increasing their market share.

In 2016 MSA identified a number of trends in the market. In multiple market segments and within various companies, a stronger safety related policy is being developed, and safety experts organise more frequent product wearing tests for their employees. This is a good way to find the most appropriate equipment and to ensure most employees are comfortable with their PPE and will wear it properly.

The selection is not only about comfort, but it is often also about wearing good looking and stylish equipment. Special colours, reflective and naming stickers and printing with company logo’s or departments/functions are requested more often on safety helmets. With these additional features, helmets get more value and help to increase wearer acceptance and can even promote the corporate branding.

Another trend we see is that workers are being exposed to a wider range of activities as the flexibility to support other production steps or departments has grown. This requires PPE that increases safety and supports worker productivity. Many companies now look for safety helmets with integrated eye/face protection in order to reduce the number of individual PPE pieces, and increase safety by having the protection readily available when needed. Standard slots in helmets are preferred to quickly integrate hearing protection. We also noticed a growing trend for chinstraps to increase helmet stability, especially within working at height applications.

This “integration” also applies to “seasonal challenges” like extreme temperatures in winter and summer periods. More and more customers ask for solutions to reduce heat stress for workers during the hottest summer months. And when temperatures drop way below zero, many look now for approved winter liners which can be combined ideally with the helmet.

The awareness that improper PPE combinations can lead to reduced protection for PPE has grown. When head, eye, face, respiratory and / or hearing protection are required simultaneously, safety officers now often ask to demonstrate compatibility with proper documentation to support it.

Within potentially explosive atmospheres (ATEX) areas safety officers started asking for electrostatic testing of even non-electrical equipment like helmets. This ensures that the equipment can not be the source of an electric, electrostatic or impact-induced arc or spark likely to cause an explosive in an ATEX area. Notified body INERIS is offering such testing for helmets according to EN 13463-1.

Last but not least, safety officers ask today for tools which support them in training their workers to properly use their PPE, in particular those wearing combined products (helmets with visors for instance). Videos are particularly appreciated to inform about the product usage, adjustment and maintenance.

What does the future hold?

Worker acceptability is key to ensure PPE is worn correctly. MSA sees more organisations looking for cost effectiveness, not just on product, but in the supply chain; reduced vendor base, increased basket share by vendor. Those cost savings allow companies to look at improving their PPE range and offering a higher level of safety to their employees. Like for all PPE, we believe that technology will continue to drive even more integrated solutions and sophisticated materials in the above the neck market.