Care and Use of MSA Helmets ; Frequently Asked Questions and Answers
It is important that you read and carefully follow all of the instructions and warnings accompanying your helmet.
Failure to follow the instructions listed on the bag provided with your helmet may result in serious injury or death.
For questions concerning the care and use of your MSA helmet, contact your MSA Sales Associate or MSA Customer Service at 800-MSA-2222.
QUESTION ANSWER
What electrical class does my
MSA industrial helmet meet?
Three classes indicate a helmet’s electrical insulation rating relative to ANSI/ISEA Z89.1-2009 and CSA Z94.1-2005 standards: Class E (electrical) tested to 20,000 volts,
Class G (general) tested to 2,200 volts, and Class C (conductive) that provides no electrical protection. However, these voltage ratings are not intended as an indication
of the voltage at which the helmet protects the wearer.
The following MSA Class E* helmets (electrical) are intended to reduce the danger of exposure to high voltage conductors:
• V-Gard® Cap and Hat
• V-Gard 500 Non-Vented Cap
• SmoothDome® Cap
• Topgard® Cap and Hat
• V-Gard GREEN Cap
• Super-V® Cap
• Vanguard™ Cap
*Class E ratings inherently include Class G ratings, as testing includes the lower voltage levels represented in the Class G testing procedure.
The following MSA Class G (general) helmets are intended to reduce the danger of contact exposure to low voltage conductors:
• Thermalgard® Cap
• Skullgard® Cap and Hat
• Comfo® Cap
The following MSA Class C (conductive) helmet is not intended to provide protection against contact with electrical conductors:
• V-Gard 500 Vented Cap
To what degree are MSA’s industrial elevated
temperature helmets rated?
The following MSA helmets are tested at various elevated temperatures and impacted immediately following this exposure in order to recommend
a maximum temperature exposure for each helmet:
• Topgard Cap and Hat 275˚ F radiant heat load
• Thermalgard Cap 350˚ F radiant heat load
• Skullgard Cap and Hat 350˚ F radiant heat load
Which MSA industrial helmets offer
protection from arc flashes?
There is no arc flash test or standard for industrial head protection products. According to NFPA 70E-2012, a worker is required to wear a helmet rated as Class E in
accordance with ANSI/ISEA Z89.1-2009 or CSA Z94.1-2005. When used in conjunction with any MSA visor and frame, all Class E MSA hard hats will perform as well as
the visor, or protect the wearer to the same calorie-rating level as the visor.
What are the differences between traditional
V-Gard helmets and the V-Gard GREEN helmets?
The V-Gard GREEN Helmet is similar to a traditional V-Gard helmet in that it is made of high-density polyethylene (HDPE). However, unlike traditional hard hats in which
the HDPE is sourced from non-renewable sources, V-Gard GREEN Helmet shell material is sourced entirely from green HDPE, which is made of sugarcane-based ethanol.
Do V-Gard GREEN helmets meet the same
Standards performance criteria as the
traditional V-Gard?
Yes. The V-Gard GREEN Helmet and the traditional V-Gard Helmet offer the same trusted look and quality customers have come to expect from MSA.
V-Gard and V-Gard GREEN helmets are third-party SEI certified as Type I, Class E under ANSI/ISEA Z89.1-2009 and CSA Z94.1-2005.
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