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Standards guide · Head

Head protection explained

Look inside the shell. The standard and extra letters are moulded in.

  • EN 397
  • EN 14052
  • EN 12492
  • EN 812
  • EN 50365:2023

Read this ifYou need a helmet, bump cap or electrical helmet

Decode a safety helmet

Moulded inside the shell. Example: EN 397 -30 C 440 Vac LD MM.

EN 397
On the label
  1. EN 397

    Standard

    Industrial safety helmet: falling objects on top, penetration, flame. Has a 2025 edition (Type 1 / Type 2).

  2. -30 C

    Very low temperature (opt.)

    Tested at -20 C or -30 C (some -40 C).

  3. +150 C

    Very high temperature (opt.)

    Tested at +150 C.

  4. 440 Vac

    Electrical insulation (opt.)

    Brief accidental contact with live conductors up to 440 V AC. For live work use EN 50365.

  5. LD

    Lateral deformation (opt.)

    Resists side squeeze.

  6. MM

    Molten metal (opt.)

    Resists molten metal splash.

  • Also moulded in: manufacturer, model, year and quarter of manufacture, size range (cm), shell material (e.g. ABS, HDPE, PC). Check the manufacturer's replacement life from the date.

Which head protection?

Standard What it is Use it for
EN 812 Bump cap Knocks on fixed objects only
EN 397 Safety helmet Falling objects from above
EN 14052 High-performance helmet Side and off-centre hits too
EN 12492 Climbing helmet Work at height, rope access
EN 50365 Electrical helmet Live low-voltage work

Good / better / best

From knocks only to hits from any side.

  1. EN 812Bump capKnocks on fixed objects only
  2. EN 397Safety helmetFalling objects from above
  3. EN 14052High-performanceSide and off-centre hits too
  • EN 12492

    Climbing helmet

    Strong chinstrap. Work at height, rope access.

  • EN 50365

    Electrical helmet

    Live low-voltage work.

High-performance helmet: EN 14052

Tougher than EN 397: also tested for off-centre and side impacts.

EN 14052
On the label
  1. EN 14052

    Standard

    High-performance industrial helmet (top and off-crown impact, side penetration).

  2. -30 C

    Low temperature (opt.)

    As EN 397.

  3. 440 Vac

    Electrical (opt.)

    As EN 397.

  4. LD / MM

    Other options

    Lateral deformation, molten metal.

Climbing / work-at-height helmet: EN 12492

Helmets with a strong chinstrap so they stay on in a fall.

EN 12492
On the label
  1. EN 12492

    Standard

    Mountaineering helmet: top, front, side and rear impacts, chinstrap retention.

  2. Size

    Head size range

    In cm.

  3. Date

    Year of manufacture

    Check life in leaflet.

  • Some work-at-height helmets are dual-certified EN 397 + EN 12492. On construction sites check your client rules.

Bump cap: EN 812

For knocks against fixed objects only (low ceilings, under vehicles).

EN 812
On the label
  1. EN 812

    Standard

    Industrial bump cap.

  2. -20 C

    Low temp (opt.)

    -20 C or -30 C.

  3. 440 Vac

    Electrical (opt.)

    Brief accidental contact.

  4. F

    Flame (opt.)

    Flame resistance.

  • A bump cap is NOT a safety helmet. It does not protect against falling or thrown objects.

Electrically insulating helmet: EN 50365

For work on or near live low-voltage installations.

EN 50365
On the label
  1. Double triangle

    Live working symbol

    Double triangle symbol (IEC 60417) shows suitability for live working.

  2. Class 0

    Voltage class

    Up to 1,000 V AC or 1,500 V DC.

  3. EN 50365

    Standard

    Current edition EN 50365:2023.

New in 2025

  • EN 397:2025 adds Type 1 (top hits) and Type 2 (top + side hits, chinstrap).
  • The 2012 edition stays valid until 16 December 2027.

Common mistakes

  • A bump cap on a building site. It is not a helmet.
  • "440 Vac" for live work. You need EN 50365.
  • Stickers or paint on the shell. Check the manufacturer's leaflet.
  • Ignoring the date. Helmets age, even unused.

The law

  • PPE at Work Regulations 1992 (the old Construction (Head Protection) Regulations 1989 were revoked; the PPE rules now apply). Turban-wearing Sikhs have a legal exemption on construction sites (Employment Act 1989 s.11, extended by Deregulation Act 2015).
  • Work at Height Regulations 2005 for falling-object risk.

Shop Head

EN 397 helmetsEN 12492EN 812 bump capsEN 50365 electrical

Frequently asked questions

Can I wear a bump cap on a building site?

No. A bump cap (EN 812) is for knocks on fixed objects only. It is not a helmet.

Is a 440 Vac helmet OK for live electrical work?

No. For live work you need EN 50365.

What changed in EN 397:2025?

It adds Type 1 (top hits) and Type 2 (top + side hits, chinstrap). The 2012 edition stays valid until 16 December 2027.

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