And in the event of a fall – even with height safety equipment to arrest your fall – serious head trauma risks remain. You could hit or catch the edge of something on the way down. You may swing sideways (eg falling off a roof and swinging into the side of a building).

Chemicalhazard sign

When finished, print in color on 8 1/2" x 11" white paper. This biohazard symbol on the sign is required to have the orange background with the symbol and lettering in a contrasting color.

In an ideal world, all of these safety features would be included, tested and rated under a single Standard. To know that our helmet is height-safe, all we’d have to do is look for that Standard.

Both Standards test and rate impact and penetration protection at varying angles from the centreline of your helmet. (Note: Check penetration protection for helmets with vents.)

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That’s why you must ensure your helmet is rated for overhead or Crown Impacts. This is tested in two ways (rating levels vary per Standard).

Biohazard symbol images

The most secure chinstraps are found on Mountaineering Helmets. They’re called non-releasing chinstraps because they’ll withstand a 500N (~50kg) force before releasing. In other words – in a big fall, your helmet stays on.

Both high performance and standard industrial helmets also require a secure chinstrap. However, they’re secure to a lower force – up to 150N (~15kg) –  and must release before 250N (~25kg). This releasing-type chinstrap is more suitable for work on or closer to the ground where fall distance is reduced. The lower release load is designed to prevent any strangulation hazard if the helmet becomes snagged.

Protecting your head from overhead impacts remains vitally important. Equipment, tools, materials can still fall when you’re working at height. And you could be in the line of fire.

Enter contact information for all Principal Investigators (PI) using the laboratory. Enter an emergency contact including an after-hours phone number.

If you take one thing away today, it should be to have another look at the helmet you’re using. If all your risks aren’t covered or your needs have changed – you need a different helmet.

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Let’s take a helmet rated only to the Standard for Mountaineers (EN 12492). It may be alright for height – but not suitable for industrial applications. Not unless it also meets the basic electrical insulation requirements of Standard EN 397 or EN 14052. Why? Because both of these standards apply to industrial (vs climbing) helmets. And as such they test for flame resistance.

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For example, you may be on the side of a building with people working above you. Or you’re an arborist or linesman and vulnerable to overhead hazards. Perhaps you’re working underneath a glass atrium – or in weather that could uplift fragile roofing.

Instead, each safety feature is covered by multiple Standards (listed below) which test and rate to varying levels. All of which means you have to look closely to know how your helmet will perform.

For BSL-1/ABSL-1 laboratories, no Biohazard Warning sign is required. The biohazard symbol on the permanently affixed Caution Sign for hazards is sufficient.

As the above illustrates, it’s really important to do a thorough risk assessment. You need to know your helmet covers all of your risks – not just some of them.

BSL-2 is the default biosafety level. Use the dropdown arrow to select the appropriate biosafety level. For BSL-1, a Biohazard Warning Sign is not required unless specified by EH&S/IBC; the biohazard symbol on the permanently affixed UW Laboratory Entry Caution Sign next to laboratory entry doors is sufficient.

BiohazardsignPrintable PDF

There are three critical features to look for in a height-safe helmet. Protection from overhead impacts, protection from multiple side impacts and a chinstrap that’ll keep your helmet on.

Healthhazard sign

Given the potentially fatal risk, you need to know your helmet will stay on if you fall. Therefore, a chinstrap is an absolute must when working at height.

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Furthermore, you need a chinstrap that has been stress-tested and will not release under pressure. That’s why your height-safe helmet must also include a Secure Chinstrap.

The Biohazard Warning Sign restricts laboratory access during work with biohazards, communicates the agents in use, and specifies entry or exit requirements. It is the responsibility of the Principal Investigator or supervisor to properly identify and restrict access to the laboratory and to notify emergency and support personnel of any hazards in the laboratory.

Biohazard symbol in laboratory

Most Australian worksites issue helmets that meet the Australian Standard for Occupational Protective Helmets (AS/NZS 1801 : 1997). This is a good start as 1801’s will protect your head from overhead impacts (ie falling objects). They also include a level of flame resistance.

Use the "Special Procedures, PPE or Precautions for Entry/Exit" section to list specific entry/exit requirements, PPE required for work and any occupational health requirements.

Now let’s say you’re in Electrical Utilities and work-at-height in proximity to electrical installations. In this environment, you’ll need electrical protection beyond the Standards for industrial helmets. As a result, your helmet must also meet Standard EN 50365. This Standard covers the insulation of helmets where there’s potential for contact with low voltage electrical installations.

However, the 1801 Standard is almost 25 years old. While it may address your primary head trauma risks at ground level – it will not address those of working at height (as you’ll see below). As a result, this Standard alone is not sufficient for helmet safety at height.

We know that the myriad of safety Standards can be confusing. So if you need help finding the right height-safe helmet for you – give us a call. We have 20 years of experience helping people like you get the best-fit and best-performing helmet for their needs.

Helmet safety starts with using the right helmet. But not every helmet is right for height. Features that keep you safe on the ground, won’t do the job off it. Why? Because the moment your feet leave the floor, the risks change. And they vary – depending on what you’re doing.

The Biohazard Warning sign is posted in addition to the biohazard symbol on the permanently affixed caution sign next to laboratory entry doors. The Biohazard Warning Sign must be permanently affixed to entry doors of the following laboratories/rooms:

BiohazardsignPrintable

General industrial safety helmets offer some protection but have not been tested for this. Therefore, look to high performance industrial helmets and those made for mountaineers.

It’s meant to be everything you need to know about height safety, confined space and rescue all conveniently in one place.

*BSL-2 with BSL-3 practices laboratories with approved decontamination procedures to lower containment to BSL-2 must follow the posting requirements in their laboratory-specific standard operating procedures (SOPs).

For BSL-2 laboratories, when work is complete, agents are secured, and surfaces are decontaminated, the Biohazard Warning Sign may be removed or turned over. Affix the Biohazard Warning Sign to entry doors in such a way that it can be easily removed or turned around (e.g., place sign in plastic cover). If the Biohazard Warning Sign is affixed to a BSL-2 laboratory door, support staff such as UW Facilities or Custodial Services will not enter.