Here's some info that covers the CE EN 12492 standard for caving/climbing helmets (scroll down to the middle) you can compare with some of the other standards listed including the UIAA standard. Note that the UIAA requires that the maximum force transmitted to your head is 8 KN (1770 lb force) versus 10 KN (2248 lb force) for the CE EN 12492 standards. This means UIAA is a more protective helmet. I found this stuff online here:
www.hre.gov.ab.ca/documents/WHS/WHS-LEG_ohsc_2006_p41.pdfSection 831 Head protection Subsection 831(1) Headwear standards – lateral impact
If there is a foreseeable danger of injury to a worker’s head during
industrial rope access work, head protection must be worn. The type
worn may vary based on whether a worker is likely to sustain a
lateral impact to the head or not. For compliance purposes, industrial
protective headwear intended for use where there is a significant
possibility of lateral impact to the head must meet the requirements of
one of the listed standards. Lateral impact occurs when an object
strikes the headwear from any direction other than directly above.
The headwear must be of the appropriate Class for the type of work
being performed.
Occupational Health and Safety Code 2006 Part 41
Explanation Guide
Notes
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CSA Standard Z94.1
CSA Standard Z94.1?92 (R1998), Industrial Protective Headwear, applies
to headwear intended to protect the heads of industrial workers. The
Standard defines the areas of the head that are to be protected and
includes basic performance requirements for impact protection, object
penetration, stability and dielectric properties (the ability of a material
to resist the passage of electric current).
The Standard divides protective headwear into three Classes
according to its intended use:
(a) Class G (General Use) – this Class is intended to provide workers
with protection against impact and penetration. This headwear is
non?conducting and must pass a 2200 V dielectric?strength test.
This protective headwear provides limited protection against
electric shock.
(b) Class E (Electrical Trades) – this Class is intended to provide
workers with protection against impact and penetration. This
headwear is non?conducting and must pass a 20,000 V dielectric?
strength test. This headwear provides improved protection
against electric shock following accidental contact between the
headwear and exposed energized electrical sources.
(c) Class C (Conducting Headwear) – this Class is intended to provide
the user with protection against impact and penetration only.
Protective headwear meeting the CSA requirements may have a brim
around the entire circumference of the shell or have a partial brim
with a peak.
ANSI Standard Z89.1
Type II helmets that meet ANSI Standard Z89.1?1997 or Z89.1?2003,
American National Standard for Industrial Head Protection, may also be
used at the workplace. The ANSI Standard applies to protective
helmets intended to provide limited protection for the head against
impact, flying particles, electric shock or any combination of these
hazards.
The Standard divides protective helmets into two types and three
classes according to their intended use. Type I helmets are intended to
reduce the force of impact resulting from a blow only to the top of the
Occupational Health and Safety Code 2006 Part 41
Explanation Guide
Notes
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head. Type II helmets are intended to reduce the force of impact
resulting from a blow that may be received off?centre or to the top of
the head. The three classes are as follows:
(a) Class G (General Use) – this Class is intended to reduce the danger
of contact exposure to low voltage conductors and must pass a
2200 V dielectric?strength test.
(b) Class E (Electrical Trades) – this Class is intended to reduce the
danger of contact exposure to high voltage conductors and must
pass a 20,000 V dielectric?strength test.
(c) Class C (Conductive – no electrical protection) – this Class is designed
specifically for lightweight comfort and impact protection. This
Class is usually manufactured from aluminum and offers no
dielectric protection.
ANSI types and classes are combined to provide products classified
as Type I, Class G or Type II, Class E, etc. Helmets meeting the ANSI
requirements may have a brim around the entire circumference of the
helmet shell or have a partial brim with a peak.
CEN Standard EN 12492 CEN Standard EN 12492: 2000, Mountaineering equipment – Helmets for
mountaineers – Safety requirements and test methods, specifies safety
requirements and test methods for safety helmets for use in
mountaineering. Because they are intended for mountaineering,
helmets meeting the requirements of this standard can only be used
for industrial rope access work if the manufacturer’s specifications
allow the helmet to be used for industrial work at height.
The Standard requires a helmet
to have a retention system with three separate points of
attachment to the shell. The helmet must have a chin strap,
to be ventilated, and
to be able to withstand a specified impact force delivered to the
top, sides and rear of the helmet. The force transmitted to the
headform must not exceed 10 kN.
UIAA Standard 106
UIAA Standard 106: 2004, Mountaineering and Climbing Equipment –
Helmets, requires that the helmet meet all the requirements of CEN
Standard EN 12492 but that the value of impact force transmitted to
the headform during testing be limited to 8 kN rather than the 10 kN
Occupational Health and Safety Code 2006 Part 41
Explanation Guide
Notes
specified in CEN Standard EN 12492. Because they are intended for
mountaineering, helmets meeting the requirements of this standard
can only be used for industrial rope access work if the manufacturer’s
specifications allow the helmet to be used for industrial work at
height.
