Head Protection, Safety Helmets & Bump Caps

Picking the right head protection can be difficult at times. Choose a right head protection just for you in our wide range of safety helmets sourced from market-leading manufacturers. All Guardsman head protection, including safety helmet and bump caps are CE Approved to the relevant European Standards. We also provide a range of helmet accessories, including helmet attachable ear muffs, sweatbands, chin straps, visors...

What Are The Differences?

A helmet has many different features providing specific user benefits, such as:

- Weight: Some helmets are lighter than others. A lightweight helmet may provide more comfort during prolonged periods of use

- Cradle: A helmet can have either a basic polyethylene cradle or a more comfortable textile webbing cradle

- Sweatband: A helmet can have either none, a standard or a high absorbent sweatband for improved comfort during use.

- Ventilation: Some helmets are ventilated, providing cooling airflow during use

- Badging: Some helmet designs allow for a larger front badging area, for an enhanced corporate image

- Peaks: Peak lengths can vary – a reduced peak is available for improved upward visibility

- Retro-Reflective Surfaces: Reflective surfaces that provide greater visibility of the wearer in low light conditions

European Standards

EN 397 specifies physical and performance requirements of industrial safety helmets. Certain tests are mandatory if the product is to receive EN 397 approval. These cover:

- Shock absorption

- Resistance to penetration

- Flame resistance

- Chinstrap anchorage

A manufacturer can choose to submit his products to additional optional tests. Such tests could lead to one or more of these markings appearing on a helmet

-20°/-30°C - The helmet will provide some protection when worn in an environment at or above this temperature. -40°C ultra low temperature (outside of EN 397).

440V a.c. - The helmet will protect against short-term, accidental contact with live electrical conductors up to this voltage.

LD - The helmet will provide some resistance to lateral compressive (non-impact) loads.

MM - Molten Metal splash test.

EN 14052 - Builds on EN 397 to include more numerous tests and requirements, but also to include requirements for additional impact protection to the front, rear and sides of the head. It also includes performance tests for the retention system (typically headband and chin strap), not typically included in EN 397.

EN 50365 - Electrically insulating helmets for use on low voltage installations.

EN 812 - Is the standard for Industrial Bump Caps, which are intended to provide protection against bumps caused by walking into hazardous projections. A Bump Cap does not provide protection against falling or thrown objects and should not be used where a safety helmet is required.