MSA® V-Gard™ minor hard hat type 1, class E with a 4-point suspension. Sold individually

MSA® V-Gard™ minor 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 1, class E standard requirements. Sold individually, 20 units per case.

MSA® manufacturer’s code: 475369 (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. In addition, its full brim protects from the sun, the rain, and falling debris in an underground gallery. This helmet also features an extended rain trough for around-the-brim protection. Also known as a hard hat, this head protection gear is certified type 1 and class E in compliance with the CSA Z94.1-15 standard, which means it is legal to work with this piece of equipment in Canada since it offers a physical protection of the top of the head as well as an electrical protection from a 20,000 volts nominal current. 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 ethers, 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:
This hard hat is certified type 1 which means it offers a protection from impacts occurring on the top of the head. It is also certified class E which means it offers a protection from electrical shocks. The CSA (for Canadian Standards Association) has subjected this helmet to many lab tests, one of which measures the dielectric rigidity (electric conductance or resistance basically). 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.

This model of hard hat successfully passed all lab tests it underwent to find out if it qualifies to meet CSA Z94.01-15 type 1 and class E.

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 CSA 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 (OP10129327), a faceshield (YP5006, headgear; YV8152, 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, 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 discoloration. 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. Of course, don’t be alarmed by the fact that a brand new suspension is almost as expensive as a new helmet. To conclude, one should never use his helmet as a bucket or a bag to handle tools or just stuff around.