Reviewing the protection levels and preferences to help choose headgear Motorcycle helmets save lives and reduce severe injuries, which is why 47 US states have universal or partial laws requiring DOT-approved helmets. Once those minimum protection standards are met, riders can choose between motorcycle half helmets, three-quarter models, and full-face motorcycle helmets. Which one is the safest? And, more subjectively, which type is the “best?” Let's compare the stats, options, benefits, and drawbacks. The basic helmet types Riders have three main alternatives when it comes to protective head ..read more

Explaining the key tests and certifications designed to protect riders All quality protective headgear is tested and classified for its specific purpose. And given the risks of riding and possible head injuries, motorcycle helmet safety ratings and tests are crucial. Here’s a look at the leading standards and which marks of approval matter most, including an in-depth review of DOT-approved motorcycle helmets and Snell motorcycle helmets. Motorcycle helmet safety ratings and the law Most people are aware of motorcycle helmet laws in various US states, which can be: Universal: all motorcycle ri ..read more

The New ASTM Ballistic Helmet Test Protocol and the Evolving Landscape of Helmet Testing Standards ASTM E3368/E3368M-23  The National Institute of Justice (NIJ) has long been at the forefront of body armor testing.  Its standards for protective gear, such as the body armor standard 0101.06, have become the global default.  Foreign militaries, when buying protective gear, will frequently specify that it needs to meet a certain performance level detailed in an NIJ specification.  This is true more often than not. There is, however, a puzzling gap: The NIJ ..read more

Riding the open road comes with risks. How do motorcycle helmets reduce them, and by how much? There’s nothing like riding a motorcycle; senses alight as the wind whips your body, and reflexes become one with the machine. But every rider knows that the pleasures, including head-snapping acceleration on-demand, come with more risk than driving a larger vehicle. Motorcycle injuries, especially head injuries, must be considered and prevented to the extent possible. Here’s a look at the real risks of motorcycle accidents, with a focus on head trauma and the protective impact of helmets. A review o ..read more

Safety helmets are gaining in popularity and reputation — but some reviews and research question the benefits The idea that safety helmets are superior to traditional hard hats is getting traction in the trades. Proponents say they are safer, and hard hats are somewhat outdated. But what’s the real deal on safety helmets vs hard hats? Is one truly a winner? The two types of PPE are comparable in significant ways if they meet minimum ANSI head protection standards. However, some reviewers complain about safety helmets’ weight and heat during long days on the job site. And research published in ..read more

UHMWPE makes modern military helmets and other tactical gear lighter with enhanced performance Ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene, or UHMWPE, has revolutionized ballistic protection. Discovered by accident in a lab in 1963, it took 30 years before this hydrocarbon polymer first made its way into a working, military-issued French helmet, followed by broad acceptance as a ballistic material of choice. Today, UHMWPE composites are widely used in modern military helmets, various other tactical helmets, and armor plates. By providing “higher ballistic protection at a reduced weight,” UHMWPE c ..read more

UHMWPE fibers have come a long way from humble beginnings. Twenty years ago, it was far from clear they'd enjoy the dominance that they have now come to hold. Back then, the military still utilized Kevlar® in almost all of its body armor systems; Zylon fiber was heralded as the “fiber of the future,” and up-and-comers like M5 fiber armor were capturing imaginations.  Today, given improvements in UHMWPE fiber processing, it’s stronger than Zylon ever was. It’s also very difficult to see how it can be surpassed by M5 fiber—for although M5 is stronger, it’s also much denser, and its performa ..read more

Clearing up confusion about how to fit headgear properly Whether you feel too sweaty, cold, or simply uncomfortable, putting an extra garment between your hard hat and your head seems like an easy fix. But do regulations guiding how to wear a hard hat allow this practice? And most importantly, is it safe? While these and other questions seem simple, confusion often swirls around whether certain methods of wearing hard hats are safe and acceptable. In this blog, we clarify: OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) and ANSI (American National Standards Institute) rules Best practice ..read more

How a hard hat color code can improve site efficiency and safety Hard hat colors span the rainbow, with many job sites assigning different hues to different types of workers and visitors. And while no official regulations set a hard hat color code that organizations must follow — other than rules governing what qualifies as “high visibility” — some best practices have become common across industries. In this blog, we explore: The overall rules for hard hats The reasons to consider implementing a hard hat color code at your worksite. Standard hard hat color meanings When high-visibility headge ..read more

What’s the best hard hat material for your job?  In construction, linework, mining, and other skilled trades, the importance of hard hats isn’t up for debate. They provide the first line of defense against falling objects, impacts, burns, or shocks. But with choices ranging from carbon fiber hard hats to fiberglass hard hats to plastics, how do you determine the best hard hat material for keeping you safe and comfortable? The answer: any OSHA-compliant hard hat specifically rated for your job and its risks will work. But from there, the best hard hat material depends on preferences, sligh ..read more