MSA® Super V™ hard hat type 2, class E approved with a four-point suspension. Sold individually

MSA® Super V™ V-Gard™ hard hat equipped with a four-point suspension. The headgear may be adjusted to fit the size of the head (under the headband), the height of the head (pinlocks at the back) and the tension on the head (neck ratchet). This helmet meets the CSA Z94.1-15, type 2, class E standard requirements. Sold individually, 20 units per case.

MSA® manufacturer’s code: C217091 (white)

This safety helmet is available in many colors: those in stock at the manufacturers are white, yellow, and blue. Please note that other colors are available but only upon special request and require 3 to 4 weeks for delivery. Select your color in the drop-down menu above.

This safety helmet for construction workers features a high-density polyethylene (HDPE) shell.It is also equipped with foam underlining which dampens more the impacts than a regular hard hat. Also known as a hard hat, this head protection gear meet type 2 and class E since it offers a physical protection of the top of the head and lateral impact protection as well as an electrical protection from a 20,000 volts nominal current. This particular model of hard hat offers the advantage to be worn the regular way, that is, with the wave peek up front, but also in reverse donning. The latter mode allows one to see overhead if need be; it also allows one to wear a faceshield, let’s say, for welding. This helmet also features an extended rain trough for around-the-brim protection. This safety gear also meets ANSI Z89.1-2014 requirements. The ratchet system allows an adjustment from a diameter of 6 ½ inches to 8 inches ensuring a safe and comfortable equipment to wear.

Materials:
The hard hat shell is made of high-density polyethylene (HDPE), a material widely used industrially for its physical strength. HDPE is resistant to a wide spectrum of chemicals, including most acids, bases, salts, alcohols, lubricants and oils, as well as gasoline and kerosene. HDPE is not resistant to some fuels (diesel, hydrazine, jet fuel, crude oil, propane), to some solvents (acetone, benzene, toluene, mineral spirits, paint thinner, varsol), to phenols, to ether, to ozone, to some concentrated acids (nitric acid, hydrochloric acid, phosphoric acid) and to some concentrated strong bases (sodium hydroxide, lithium hydroxide). If a hard hat must withstand contact with chemical products, it is recommended to perform a contact test with the specific chemicals involved, in order to ensure the materials of the hard hat will not be compromised.Polyethylene can withstand temperatures as high as 105 °C and may start to break at temperatures as low as -50 °C. Note it is well known that polyethylene doesn’t resist well to oxidizers.

The structure of the suspension (or headband or head helmet), as well as the four anchor points, are made of polypropylene whereas the webbing is made of polyester.

Certification:

Type 2 hard hats have been designed for workers who are likely to get hit by objects either on the top of the head or on the sides. The difference between type 1 and type 2 helmets lies in the foam lining which can be found under the shell. That additional protection serves the purpose of absorbing the shock wave from lateral impacts, however, it makes your headgear heavier. The fact that type 2 helmets are heavier and generate more heat may dissuade some, which is why, even though they’re recognized as quite useful, they’re not really in use.

It is also meet class E which means it offers a protection from electrical shocks. In short, the lower the leakage current is, the better is the dielectric rigidity of the helmet. What’s so special about Class E helmets is that they have been designed to withstand and protect one from an incredibly high voltage which may reach 20,000 volts at 60 Hertz.

Class E Helmets:

Class E helmets successfully underwent a specific lab test measuring their dielectric rigidity with an applied voltage of 20,000 Volts at 60 Hertz. The recorded leakage current during the test must not exceed the maximum limit allowed by the standard. Other criteria are evaluated during these tests, among other things, how the helmet is conditioning to its environment and the helmet’s increment rate at a voltage of 1,000 volts per second.

Accessories:
This helmet features slots for accessories to adapt your equipment to your environment: protection from noise nuisance with cap-mounted earmuffs (OPH10E), a faceshield (YPH24 , headgear; YV96 , visor), a chin strap (TA80CS) and other PPE accessories such as a sweatband or a lining for thermal protection.

Retro-reflective stripes are also available if a worker wishes to have some at the designated location of the lower part of the helmet; note, however, that the strips must be approved for this use by the manufacturer to be legal. One may choose to add decals or stickers, but they are not recommended since they prevent a good inspection of your PPEs.

Maintenance:
The CSA Z94.1-15 standard states that one shall inspect its hard hat and clean it daily. It is recommended to clean the shell and the suspension with lukewarm water and a mild soap such as dish soap.

Service Life:
According to the CSA Z94.1-15, the hat as it is shall be inspected every day by the worker himself. He shall be looking for any traces of cracking, splitting or discolouration. This is why a helmet should never have stickers on it as it is too often. Basically, the hat should remain shiny and its appearance, equally smooth. Note that any cleaning solution to aggressive when in contact with the helmet can and will damage it. One should never try to reuse a hard hat that withstood a solid impact. The manufacturer suggests that the shell has a service life of no more than 5 years.

The suspension should also be inspected and clean daily to remove sebum, hair, perspiration, etc. The manufacturer recommends the replacement of the suspension every year. To conclude, one should never use his helmet as a bucket or a bag to handle tools or just stuff around.