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How to Use a Safety Helmet

Safety helmets are utilized every day to protect anyone from small children, extreme sports enthusiasts, professional athletes and construction workers. There are several styles and types, each with their own unique features designed to protect the user against impact and head or brain injury. In order to use a safety helmet properly, various factors need to be considered. Manufacturer instructions should always be consulted before a safety helmet is put to use.

Things You'll Need

  • Safety Helmet
  • Manufacturers Instructions
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Instructions

  1. Fitting a Bike Helmet

    • 1

      Place the helmet on your head and fasten chin straps securely.

    • 2

      Use one hand to check that helmet is on securely. This is done by taking one hand and gripping the front of the helmet and trying to move the helmet up and back. The helmet should not move if it is on securely. Repeat this step gripping the back of the helmet instead. Again the helmet should not move.

    • 3

      Place one hand on each side of the helmet and try to move the helmet from side to side. Shake your head from side to side. The helmet if properly sized and adjusted should not move.

    • 4

      Open your mouth as wide as possible. The front of the helmet should pull down slightly. If it does not, the chin strap is not tight enough.

    Choosing a Snow Helmet

    • 5

      Decide what type of helmet and what features are desired. Snow helmets come in various different styles, levels of protection and features. Good models of snow helmets can withstand repeated impact, have insulation for cold weather and are compatible for use with snow goggles.

    • 6

      Examine how the helmet is made. Product literature should indicate the manufacturing method of the helmet itself. In-mold helmets are sleek and light but may not provide as much protection over time as injection-molded snow helmets, which are considered to be more durable.

    • 7

      Select the proper size of helmet. Do this by measuring the circumference of your head with a measuring tape. Then use a sizing chart to determine the proper helmet size.

    Using a Hard Hat

    • 8

      Select the proper type of hardhat to be used. Class G helmets are primarily for reducing the impact of falling objects but only offer minimal low-voltage electrical protection. Class E Helmets are also used to decrease the injury potential from falling objects but allow for protection when coming into contact with high voltage conductors. Class C helmets reduce the force of impact but provide no electrical protection.

    • 9

      Install the hard hat suspension. Hard hats with improperly installed suspension components will not fit the head correctly and do not provide the amount of protection they are rated for. Installing the suspension component can often be confusing. Consult the manufacturer instructions for directions.

    • 10

      Adjust the fit of the hardhat. Hard hats either have an adjustable slide to fit the hard hat correctly or a ratchet handle that can be turned to tighten or loosen the hard hat fit.

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