Bullard: Safety Matters Because Tomorrow Matters.

Head Protection

Does Type I and Type II head protection protect different areas of the head?

Type I and Type II are both designed to provide head protection however they have different impact protection standards. Additionally, there are multiple styles of head protection including hard hats and safety helmets.

Type I head protection is primarily designed to protect the top of the head providing top impact protection, typically against objects falling directly onto the wearer’s head. These hard hats and helmets are often used in construction, transportation or environments where there is a risk of falling debris, tools or other equipment from above.  Bullard has a full line of cap style, full brim and safety helmets to meet your Type I head protection needs.

Type II head protection has been designed to protect against both vertical and lateral or top and side impacts. Type II head protection is commonly used in environments where there may be side impacts, such as in manufacturing, industrial environments, or situations where there are risks of collisions with equipment or machinery. Type II head protection, like Type I, must meet the requirements of ANSI/ISEA Z89.1, but they also have additional requirements for lateral (side) impact resistance.

What is the difference between the ANSI/ISEA Z89.1-2014 (R2019) testing standard and BS EN 12492: 2012?

ANSI/ISEA Z89.1-2014 (R2019) American National Standard for Industrial Head Protection includes specifications for helmets designed to offer protection from top-only or combined top and lateral impact, giving employers and users the flexibility to specify the helmet that best meets the needs of their specific workplace. Industrial head protective helmets meeting the ANSI/ISEA Z89.1-2014 (R2019) standard requirements are classified as Type I for top impact protection or Type II for both top and lateral impact protection. Both types are tested for impact attenuation and penetration resistance. Type II helmet performance requirements include criteria for impact energy attenuation from impacts from the front, back and sides as well as the top, off-center penetration resistance, and chin strap retention. There are at least four impact locations in the test zone. Also, as of today, there is no helmet retention testing. These three classes indicate the helmet’s electrical insulation rating:

• Class G (general) helmets are tested at 2,200 volts
• Class E (electrical) are tested to withstand 20,000 volts
• Class C (conductive) provides no electrical protection

The BS EN 12492:2012 standard defines the requirements for the design, construction, materials, and performance of mountaineering helmets. It also specifies the testing methods and procedures that manufacturers must follow to ensure that their helmets meet the requirements of the standard. To be certified to BS EN 12492:2012, the helmet must be vented (similar to Z89.1 Class “C”) which provides no electrical protection. Additionally, EN 12492 states a helmet cannot be certified to specific clauses within the standard but must meet the entire standard.

NOTE: These are two separate standards. The ISEA standard is 100% performance-based while the BS EN 12492:2012 takes into account design considerations. Additionally, for these standards, OSHA can only enforce U.S. standards or ANSI/ISEA Z89.1-2014 (R2019).

What makes ANSI/ISEA Z89.1-2014 (R2019) standard testing better than BS EN 12492:2012 standard testing?

With ANSI/ISEA Z89.1-2014, covering a large impact zone, the construction of the helmet must be durable throughout the helmet versus a specific location. With BS EN 12492:2012, a manufacturer can pinpoint and substantially increase the construction of the helmet at the impact points.

Why is it important to know the differences between third party testing, certification and declaration of conformity?

Understanding the differences between third-party testing, certification, and declaration of conformity is important because each plays a distinct role in ensuring that products, such as head protection, meets safety, quality, and regulatory standards. Testing is often the first step in confirming that a product is safe to use.

Third-Party Testing involves an independent organization (not the manufacturer) testing a product to verify that it meets specific standards or performs as required. Third-party testing provides objective, unbiased evidence that the product meets regulatory or industry standards. Passing third-party testing serves as the basis for obtaining certifications or making declarations of conformity.

Certification is the formal recognition by an authorized body that a product, process, or system complies with a specific standard or set of standards. This is typically given after a product has been tested and meets the required criteria. This official confirmation provides consumers, regulators, and employers with confidence that the product has undergone testing and meets the necessary safety or quality standards and is fit for use.

Wearers and employers should always ask their manufacturer for a Declaration of Conformity (DoC). A Declaration of Conformity is a document that is usually accompanied by test reports and certification documents that the tested head protection complies with all applicable regulations, standards, and requirements for safety, quality, and environmental impact. The Declaration of Conformity serves as a legal document that affirms responsibility for compliance.

A Level 3 DoC indicates successful conformity to ANSI/ISEA standards by an outside third-party testing lab. Level 2 Declaration of Conformity indicates successful conformity to ANSI/ISEA standards by internal testing.

BULLARD APPLICATION GUIDE

Occupational hazards are a major concern for the construction, utilities, transportation, and other industries. Prioritizing safety is essential and investing in quality personal protective equipment is the key to keeping workers safe. OSHA’s Safety and Health Information Bulletin, dated March 6, 2024, “Employers must conduct a hazard assessment at their job site and based on the workplace hazards determine whether head protection is necessary and if so, the most appropriate type.”

Bullard’s Application Guide outlines hazards your customers may face in a variety of industries. Then looking at those hazards, there is information as to what Bullard head protection helps protect them.

Application Guide for Head Protection https://publuu.com/flip-book/542619/1545774/page/1

It can also be found on the head protection family of product page of the website: https://www.bullard.com/hard-hats/

Air Purifying Respirators

What is the difference between a full-face respirator and a powered air purifying respirator? (PAPR)?

What are the key features and benefits of the Sightline hood system?

Sightline is a first-of-its kind hood, with 320° of uninterrupted viewing, designed with the wearer in mind. Additionally, Sightline addresses long-standing pain-points faced by life science workers such as limited visibility, awkward mobility, and constricted space for the face and eyewear. Sightline is compatible with Bullard’s legendary EVA and EVAHL PAPRs.

Sightline has a crystal clear 0.015” PETG lens that provides a rigid structure to minimize face contact when turning your head with eye protection. The slope of the lens is designed to provide a tight streamlined profile so you can work around equipment without excess top or side material. The lens shape provides excellent downward visibility to help ensure you have a line of sight to your work. The blue cloth material helps reduce the glare under florescent lights.

For all day comfort, the Sightline hood features a softer material and fewer touch points of the hood to the wearer’s body. Sightline was designed to provide a more comfortable fit for a wide variety of head shapes, body profiles, and hair styles, including beards and ponytails. The large hood interior provides all around comfort, so you don’t feel confined to a small space. Sightline is offered with Bullard’s flexible breathing hose, which lays flat against the back. The hose enables enhanced mobility making it easier and safer for the wearer to move around the manufacturing suite minimizing snag hazards. The flexible hose also eliminates the need to manage inventory of multiple sizes.

The innovative, over-the-top air flow channel is delivered through the top and sides of the hood for best-in-class airflow. For some workers, this air flow channel can help to reduce dry eyes and foggy lenses. The over-the-top airflow path provides comfortable air to sensitive areas such as eyes, mouth, and nose. The side air flow path prevents air pillow building up behind the neck.

The drawstring and anchor design features a more efficient anchor point located at the sternum that provides a more consistent attachment point regardless of the wearer’s body profile. This ensures a comfortable and stable fit while providing a more e5icient donning process by removing multiple clips or straps. The drawstring neck cuff was engineered to add stability to the hood.

Respiratory / Supplied Air Respirators

Which industries or applications require a supplied air respirator?

Bullard has supplied air respirators for use in Painting, Coatings, Chemical Handling, Abrasive Blasting, Metalworking and Spray Foam applications and industries.

How does an Air Guard Gas & Environmental Monitor protect workers and equipment?

AirGuard enables you to monitor and clearly see you air status in real-time, while providing easy access to downloadable data logs.

Designed to accommodate the diverse needs of your workspace, the AirGuard delivers supplied air for up to 1, 2, 4, or 8 workers from a single, centralized system. This flexibility optimizes your air treatment efficiency and caters to the specific demands of your environment. AirGuard can be used to remove water, oil, particulates, odors, and organic vapors from the required Grade D breathable air so that cleaner air is delivered to workers or equipment.

The AirGuard features a user-friendly 7” Color LCD touch screen, making operation and calibration scheduling a breeze. Its auto-calibration process ensures precise and reliable performance, reducing the need for manual adjustments. For OSHA compliance reporting and operational transparency, the AirGuard includes a removable data log. This log diligently records operational use and calibration events, helping you to maintain a thorough record of your air treatment system’s performance.

This system provides both visual and audible alarms, ensuring that you are promptly alerted to any deviations. It continuously displays changes in carbon monoxide (CO) levels and differential dew point in real-time metrics, offering insights into your air quality.

What are some of the key considerations when selecting an appropriate blast respirator helmet?

Selecting the appropriate blast respirator helmet involves considering several factors to ensure optimal protection, comfort, and efficiency for workers exposed to hazardous airborne contaminants during abrasive blasting operations (like sandblasting, shot blasting, etc.). These environments can present a variety of respiratory and physical hazards, so choosing the right equipment is crucial.

Key considerations for selected a blast helmet will also vary upon your source of air.

• The respirator should provide a suficient airflow rate to keep the helmet comfortable and ensure adequate respiratory protection. Bullard’s GVX connection of the breathing tube to the helmet is centered on the base of the helmet, allowing the air to be delivered from the base of the neck to over the head versus most abrasive blast respirator hoods that have a point of attachment on the side of the helmet. The GVX paired with Bullard’s AC1000 flow control, provides air into the breathing zone for improved cooling without head chill and can also help to reduce fogging. Bullard’s 88VX airflow is channeled directly to the user’s breathing zone for easy breathing.
• Supplied air helmets typically include a full-face shield to protect the eyes from debris, chemicals, and high-pressure air. The visor should be impact-resistant, anti-fog, and provide clear visibility under dusty and humid conditions. Look for a helmet with a large field of vision, like the Bullard GVX, to improve safety and awareness in the work environment. GVX’s large, optically clear visor provides downward and peripheral field of view. The viewable area is approximately 9.75” wide x 4” tall. The GVX comes with a replaceable inner lens made from Tritan™ .040 thick PETG polymer. The “Grit Guard” reduces debris in-between lenses. And the replaceable outer lens is available in .015” or .40” thick PETG polymer. Additional tinted lenses are available.
• The helmet should be easily adjustable to accommodate different head sizes, ensuring a snug and comfortable fit. Bullard’s GVX respirator helmet, suspension, lenses, and cheek pads have a combined weight of 2.6 pounds, making the GVX one of the lightest Type CE abrasive blast helmets on the market. GVX is comfortable and customizable with soft brow suspension, cheek, head, and ratchet padding that are machine washable with easy tear down and build Hook & Loop system. The adjustable cheek pads may allow increased stability and allows the user a more personalized fit by being able to adjust how tight or loose the helmet fits allowing users to fine-tune the fit. Bullard’s “workhorse” respiratory helmet, has a lightweight inner shell with an adjustable headband suspension holds the respirator firmly and comfortably on the wearer’s head. The helmet easily accommodates beards, prescription eye wear, or safety glasses. No fit testing is required.
• Overall Protection. 88VX, another Bullard respirator helmet, provides advanced protection in the harsh exposures. The snug, yet comfortable, sewn-in neck cuf provides a physical barrier to airborne contaminants and helps maintain positive pressure within the helmet. A double lining in the neck area enhances durability and protection.

For more information on Bullard’s respiratory product line view their online brochure.