Today's helmet standard (EN397) is not reality tested

EN397 is the standard for industrial helmets

The European standard for industrial helmets in general use for industrial work is EN397. This standard on head protection must be worn when working on or near a construction site. The same standard also applies for work in power stations, steam boiler plants, in large tanks and pipelines, as well as in underground work, in mines, shafts or gravel roofs, castings, shipyards and a series of other industrial workplaces.

The EN397 standard was established in 1995

Industrial helmets are only tested for linear energy

Research shows that most impacts to the head that occur in the construction and industrial industries result in both linear energy and rotational energy. Nevertheless, standard tests performed for the helmet standard EN397 only measures the linear impact. Most traditional helmet designs provide no specific protection against rotational movements.

Rotational energy is more dangerous for the brain

Studies show that the rotational energy is usually up to 6-7 times more dangerous for the brain than the linear energy for which the EN397 helmets are tested. Statistics from the Swedish Work Environment Authority show that one-fifth of all accidents at Swedish construction sites are linked to falling accidents and in that category, tripping accidents are a common cause of the injury. In addition to cases and tripping accidents, it is also common to hit your head in beams or similar when working in confined spaces.

A EN397 testrig

This is how industry helmets are tested

When an industrial helmet is to be tested according to EN397 standard, the helmet is mounted on a test head, which in turn is mounted on a fixed base. A 5kg weight is then released from 1-meter height straight down on the helmet and the impact is tested. This is a test that in a good way simulates a scenario where a helmet user gets a falling object nailed down on the helmet. This is not a scenario that as common as many accidents also result in rotational energy.

MIPS testlabb

How Guardio ARMET is tested

When the Guardio ARMET helmet has been tested and obtained the EN397 certification, the helmet is sent to MIPS AB's testing laboratory, which is one of Europe's most advanced of its kind. There, the helmets are tested for angled impact to simulate more common and likely scenarios. The helmet is then released at different angles from a test rig where the helmet hits an angled surface to create a rotational motion. Advanced sensors measure the level of elongations in the axons (nerve fibers) through advanced data models. According to neurologists, it is precisely these stretches in the axons that are behind many serious brain injuries. Read more about MIPS.