Kask Safety Helmet- Top Industrial Safety Gear (+10FAQs)

KASK doesn’t compromise when it comes to quality and safety. Thanks to their ergonomic design and unmitigated quality, this award-winning safety helmet has quickly become a benchmark for professionals in many sectors. 

What KASK is All About

100% designed and made in Italy, KASK have successfully perfected the unique balance between technological excellence, functionality, safety, and attractive design into their products. In this post, we'll discuss

• KASK's popularity on construction sites
• KASK Zenith vs Super Plasma
• Helmets' Industry Standards (EU only)
• 10 FAQs about KASK safety helmets

How KASK Shakes Up Construction Industry

In recent years, building companies such as Clark Construction Group and Skanska Commercial Development was ditching traditional hardhats for a safer option - helmets. In 2019, nearly 5,200 Kask helmets were used by Gilbane's workers, an increase of 2,000 since 2018. Safety helmet offers additional protection from front, rear and side impacts due to the foam padding. It also provides eye protection, hearing protection and the integral chin strap that keeps the gear in place all the time.

The chin strap plays a very important role to avoid unnecessary risks at work. While hard hats are no doubt a piece of effective protective equipment to construction workers when an object falls from above, a hard hat falls off a worker's head in an event of a slip or trip and the wearer loses the protection. 

KASK, a safety helmet brand, is widely adopted by large building contractors on many constructions sites due to its safety features, great versatility, low weight and stylish design. It also promises all-day comfort and 10-year shelf life. 

3 main benefits of construction safety helmets over traditional hard hats

• Last up to 10 years while hard hats generally have 2-5 years of life span
• Provide increased safety from side impact 
• Protect the head in an event of a fall / trip / slip due to the chin strap that secures the helmet onto the head

KASK Zenith vs Super Plasma - Which is Best for You

Complying with EN standards, both are widely used in the industrial sector. A wide range of accessories e.g. visors, earmuffs, lamp clips, pads and neck shades are available for any of the jobs. The two lines also come in multiple colours and hi-viz versions. Their main difference is that ZENTIH offers great electric shock protection and SUPER PLASM is highly air-ventilated.

Check out their unique features:

- KASK ZENITH HELMETS - Electric Shock Protection

Unlike just any ordinary hard hat, KASK’s Zenith Helmets (Zenith, Zenith Hi-Viz, and Zenith Combo) are electrically insulating helmets for use on low voltage installations, perfect for electricians and those working near live wires. They comply with EN 50365 (Class 0), providing ultimate electric shock protection. As they are also EN 397 certified, the chinstrap strength is less than 25 kg to reduce the risk of strangulation if the helmet becomes snagged when working on the ground. Therefore they are the ideal ground level industrial helmet with electric shock protection. 

The Zenith line allows you to have accessories fitted with no trouble. Its innovative technology, Easy Click System, allows a wide range of ZEN visors to be quickly and easily mounted to Zenith helmets without extra tools. Zenith helmets also have a slot to secure an earmuff very easily without any adaptors.  

The Zenith line also offers a visor peak that is designed to keep rain and moisture from dripping on the inside of your ZEN visor when working outdoors.

How to Mount Accessories to Zenith Helmets?

- KASK SUPER PLASMA HELMETS - Very Well Vented

If, on the other hand, working at heights is where you spend most of your day, then KASK Super Plasma Helmets which are highly vented (Super Plasma Hi-Viz, Super Plasma) are ideal due to their comfortable and tough build. Equipped with 10 air intakes, each with an anti-intrusion grille, these helmets provide maximum breathability while also preventing the entry of debris. Complied with EN 12492, they limit the risk of losing the helmet during a fall thanks to the high chinstrap strength. These are the reasons why many tower climbers and rope access professionals love them. 

Due to the different helmet construction, you'll need some simple tools and adaptors to assemble your KASK Super Plasma. We promise it will be simple if you follow the how-to video below.

How to Mount Accessories to Super Plasma Helmets?

 

If you need an added protection at work, the HP safety helmet complying with EN 14052 is an ideal choice as it offers greater protection from falling objects, off crown impacts and penetration by a blade striker. The following section will explain EN 14052 along with other industry standards.

- Understanding Your Helmet’s European Certification

KASK helmets rely on a couple of industry standards which have their own design and performance requirements in order to enable users to work in particular environments safely. Generally speaking, EN 397 helmets are standard industrial helmets, EN 14052 helmets are high-performance industrial safety helmets and EN 12492 ones are for mountaineers. Here are the main requirement differences:

1. Protection Against Top Impacts (Crown impacts)

The impact energy of this test in EN 14052 (100J) is twice that in EN 397 (50J), with the same performance requirement of a maximum transmitted force of 5kN.

EN Standard	Drop Height	Weight of Striker Used	Impact Energy	Force Transmitted Requirement
EN 397	1m	5 kg with hemispherical surface	50J	<5kN
EN 14052	2m	5 kg	100J	<5kN
EN 12492	2m	5 kg with hemispherical surface	100J	<10kN

2. Protection Against Side, Front & Rear Impacts (Off-crown impacts)

While this requirement is not included in the EN 397 standard, KASK's EN397 helmets are conducted with this additional test in conformity with the requirements of the EN 12492.

EN Standard	Drop Height	Weight of Striker Used	Impact Energy	Force Transmitted Requirement
EN 397	Not required in this standard
EN 14052	1m	5 kg	50J	<300g
EN 12492	0.5m	5 kg with flat surface	25J	<10kN

3. Protection Against Penetration

Although a similar energy level to that specified in EN 397 is used in EN 14052, the significantly sharper striker means the penetration test is more severe.

EN Standard	Drop Height	Weight of Striker Used	Impact Energy	Requirement
EN 397	1m	3 kg conical striker	30J	No contact between pointer and headform
EN 14052	2.5m onto top of helmet	1 kg flat blader	25J	- No contact between pointer and headform - Force transmitted: max 5kN (Top impact) & max 15kN (Side impact)
	2m on side of helmet	1 kg flat blader	20J
EN 12492	1m	3 kg conical striker	30J	No contact between pointer and headform

4. Chin Strap

EN Standard	Chin Strap
EN 397	- Fitted with a chinstrap or with the means of attaching one - Min. width of 10 mm when un-tensioned - The chin strap releases when a force > 15 kg <25 kg (Strap anchorage(s) should be sufficient to enable attached chinstraps to hold the helmet on the head but not so great that the strap would become a strangulation hazard)
EN 14052	- The chin strap releases when a force > 15 kg <25 kg
EN 12492	- Equipped with a chin strap - The chin strap must withstand a load of 50 kg for 2 minutes (ensure the helmet stays on the head in case of a fall on a mountainside)

5. Protection Against Electric Shocks

Where helmets are intended to be used in environments where there is the potential for contact with high voltage electrical potential - up to 1000V AC or 1500V DC - helmets need to be tested for electrical insulation using EN 50365. This standard exceeds the requirements of the optional electrical resistance tests in EN 397. For those that meet EN 50365, they must first meet all requirements of EN 397.

Still not sure how to pick the right KASK safety helmet? No worries. Download the helmet comparison table or contact us via the chat at the bottom right corner

10 FAQs by Professionals

Where are Kask helmets made?

All KASK products are 100% made in Italy. KASK, born in 2004, specializes in developing, designing, and manufacturing of safety helmets of the highest quality.

How do safety helmets work?

KASK safety helmets have a high-density Polypropylene shell on the outside and a foam on the inside to withstand impact from above and the sides. It protects a user's head against flying objects, collision impact and shocks from other hazards. The chin strap can keep the gear on when the user falls off. 

When should safety helmets be used?

Besides considering law requirements, head protection is necessary whenever risks are present. In the vast majority of cases, a safety helmet must be worn on construction sites due to the risk of head injuries. This safety gear is also crucial in many other industries, including power, mining and forestry, where there are constant dangers to the head. 

How much impact can a helmet take?

• EN12492 safety helmet: The force transmitted to the headform should not exceed 10 kN for a drop height of 2m.
• EN397 safety helmet: The force has to be less than 5kN for a drop height of 1m in order to protect the head against falling objects.  

How do you wear a safety helmet?

For adequate protection, a helmet must be the right size and fit the head perfectly to offer maximum comfort and safety. For instance,

1. Straps should be positioned so as not to cover the ears
2. Buckles must be located away from the jawbone and the straps and buckles together must be adjusted in a way to be comfortable and close fitting.
3. The helmet does not squeeze the head nor moves freely back and forth

How long does a safety helmet last?

While a hard hat generally lasts from 2 to 5 years, high-quality safety helmets have a maximum of 10 years of shelf life, like KASK. Their lifespan depends on various factors including sudden temperature changes, the degree to which it is exposed to sunlight, and the intensity of use. 

How many years are KASK products guaranteed?

They are guaranteed for 3 years for defects in materials or workmanship.

How do you clean a Kask helmet?

Clean the helmet only with water, neutral pH soap, and a soft, clean cloth, allowing it to air dry at room temperature. The inner lining should be washed by hand in cold water. If it is removable, it can be removed and washed by hand in cold water or in the washing machine (max. 30°C – 85°F). In no case should chemical detergents or solvent be used.

What is the difference between a hard hat and a helmet?

• Hard Hats: Designed to protect the head from falling objects, they are suitable for use if you want to protect yourself from falling debris, rain or impact with other objects, traditionally used on construction sites.
• Safety Helmets: Equipped with adjustable chin straps, ear protection, face shields and other safety features, they are getting popular in the construction industry and replacing the traditional hard hats.

How do you check a safety helmet?

A safety helmet must be checked regularly, and before each use, to detect the presence of any damage such as cracks, detachments, deformities, peeling that represent factual elements of the state of deterioration of the helmet. Helmets that have suffered an impact of substantial magnitude should be replaced even if they do not show obvious signs of damage. 

 

Why not upgrade your safety gear today and work in confidence and comfort with KASK safety helmets, a brand you can trust. Visit MTN SHOP to Purchase the Best of KASK