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Head Protection in Hot Weather: Staying Safe While Keeping Cool
Whether the safety helmet interior is composed of Expanded polystyrene (EPS) foam or an alternative impact protection technology, the vents will allow the hot air to more easily escape and allow for fresh, cooler air to make its way in. In short, good ventilation in a helmet can significantly affect how a worker can manage heat on the job site. A good analogy is sweating. In a way, the vents in a helmet allows the helmet to sweat the heat out, just as any person does to help regulate their body temperature. While this may not be an option for specific trades, like electricians, it is an excellent alternative to traditional, non-vented Type I hard hats.
Alternatives to EPS Foam
EPS foam is widely known across the industry for its use in safety helmets to absorb impacts related to head trauma and accidents. However, EPS is like foam insulation and thus offers little ventilation, making the helmet interior hotter during warm weather.
An alternative to EPS, or as a supplemental material to EPS for impact protection, are technologies that feature a welded cellular tube structure. These technologies are often lighter, absorb more energy, and are more breathable than EPS foam. Due to the hive-like structure, these materials are often lighter in weight and structured to allow greater air flow, further minimizing the impact of the protected layer.
Within a study concerning industrial helmets and heat stress from Koroyd, the organization found that helmets that incorporate its Koroyd impact protection technology reduced the heat index by up to 8 degrees Fahrenheit (4.5 degrees Celsius) compared to traditional EPS-only internal helmet constructions. Such findings point to how organizations now have greater choice in purchasing safer helmets with technology that can significantly reduce the risk of heat stress. (Editors’ note: Studson incorporates Koroyd impact protection in some of its helmets.)
Cooling Accessories and UV Protection
Beyond the actual construction of the helmet, workers can use above-the-neck cooling and UV accessories to further reduce the impacts of heat stress. Items such as helmet liners with nape covers and cooling towels feature long-lasting, chemical-free cooling technology with UPF-50 sun protection. Workers can simply wet the garments with water thoroughly, wring out any excess water, then snap or wave the accessories to activate the cooling technology, helping workers stay cooler for up to two hours per rinse or longer. The factor of machine washability is always a plus for these new types of cooling garments, enabling the worker to enjoy a more hygienic experience while tackling the heat.
This article originally appeared in the July/August 2024 issue of Occupational Health & Safety.