Climbing Helmet vs Industrial Helmet

Arborists who do climbing would be familiar with the climbing helmet, which mountaineering hobbyists/workers would use as well. Some arborists who are doing just ground-based work took to wearing a climbing helmet maybe because: a. they do not have a "usual" helmet at hand, b. they look more like an arborist with a climbing helmet, or c. they look safety conscious wearing just any helmet.

So should those arborists be wearing a climbing helmet when they are confined to the ground? Let's explore a bit on the climbing helmet first.

Climbing helmet that an arborist was selling through Facebook.

Arborists who does climbing generally adopt the climbing helmet that complies with the BS EN 12492 standard. The tests that the helmet go through are as follow:

• Withstand a 5kg falling mass from 2m height on the top of the helmet.
• Withstand a 5kg falling mass from 0.5m height on the side of the helmet.
• Not break from a sharp 3kg falling mass from 1m height on the top of the helmet.
• Withstand a 500N for on the chin strap.
• Not slip from the wearer's head when a 10kg falling mass is applied on the edge of the helmet.

The general industrial helmet or commonly known as the "safety helmet" generally complies to the EN 397 standard, and the tests they go through, as compared to the EN 12492 climbing helmet are as follows:

• Withstand a 5kg falling mass from 1m height on the top. (fall from 1m shorter)
• Not break from a sharp 3kg falling mass from 1m height on the top. (same)
• Withstand a minimum force of 150N and no more than 250 N on the chin strap.
• (Half of the force applied. This is to ensure that the chin strap holds but the user is not strangled if he gets stuck.)
• Not catch fire after 5 seconds when exposed to a bunsen burner for 10 seconds. (climbing helmet does not have this test)
• No test for falling mass on the side of the helmet.

An industrial helmet with chin strap. A basic model should not cost more than $10.

The main differences are reflected above are that as compared to the climbing helmet, the industrial helmet does not offer protection from impact to the side, and the chin strap breaks with less force applied. I am not a safety expert and cannot offer my opinions on what these variations mean, but as the saying goes, use the right tool for the right job. 


Ask yourself: if not in an environment with falling hazards and not in a construction site, is wearing a helmet necessary?

P.S. Some arborist-looking helmets may look like the real deal and may even try to pass themselves off as one, but they are often of the EN1078 standard, which applies mainly to cyclist helmets.