If you enter any construction site or industrial area, you will be required to put on a safety helmet as your head protection. But what if you need to work in a confined space? Wearing a safety helmet might not be practical in this situation, and safety helmets are not the only type of head protection in the market. Workers are usually advised to use a bump cap for their head protection when working in confined spaces.
After a glance at the cover image of this article, you must already get the hint that a safety helmet and a bump cap have significant look differences, which will also affect the level of protection you will get. In this article, you will understand the difference between a safety helmet and a bump cap and how it can protect you from head injuries.
What is a safety helmet?
Also known as hard hats, that are made from High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE) designed to protect your head against high impacts, such as falling objects or being struck by a swinging object that can result in serious head injury. A safety helmet is best suited for industrial or construction settings since the risk of falling objects is higher, leading to more serious head injuries.
A safety helmet’s hard, plastic shell on the outside is designed to dissipate the force and energy upon impact, reducing the amount of force applied to your head. On the inside, a harness works as the cushion between your head and the hard outer shell upon impact. The harness also helps to reduce the amount of energy that collides with your head.
What is a bump cap?
Some bump caps might look like your everyday hat, but don’t let it fool you! Bump caps have a removable safety insert made from various material such as High Density Polyethylene (HDPE) or Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS) to protect your head from low impacts, such as minor head bumps, when working in confined spaces.
A bump cap is designed to be used when the risk of bumping your head into something is more likely than the risk of falling objects. The bump caps offer a lower level of head protection because the outer hat only provides a thin layer of protection. The safety insert on the bump cap acts as a cushion between the cap and your head. Like the harness on the safety helmet, it also helps reduce the energy that collides with your head.
Side-by-side comparisons
You can see the table below to see the side-by-side comparison:
Conclusion
So, which type of head protection should you choose? It comes back to the type of work and your workplace. A safety helmet is the best type of head protection if your workplace has a high risk of falling objects from above your head. Meanwhile, if the risk of you bumping your head is higher than falling objects, then a bump cap is for you.
If you need help deciding which head protection suits your workplace, feel free to contact our specialists. We will help you evaluate all the factors and provide you with the best recommendation!
QSS Safety Products (S) Pte Ltd
Sep 21, 2022