ABSTRACT
Before being placed on the market, protective helmets and eye and face protection equipment require laboratory tests to verify that they meet the basic requirements. This chapter discusses the basic requirements and testing methods to which these types of protective equipment are subjected. Helmets and eye and face protection equipment provide a barrier to harmful and hazardous factors and are themselves subject to degradation which reduces their protective properties. Causes of this degradation have also been characterized, including factors in the working environment and improper operation and maintenance. Damage to helmets and eye and face protection equipment is described and illustrated with examples of damage that should be given special attention when assessing the technical condition of helmets and face protection equipment. For the former, special attention was paid to: shells, harnesses and headbands, and for the latter: transparent elements, spectacle frames, complete spectacles, goggles and visors, automatic welding filters and welding shields and helmets. Issues related to laboratory testing of eye and face protection equipment are described with reference to European standards as well as new international standards in this field.
