In industrial work environments, safeguarding one’s vision is critical to overall worker safety. ANSI Z87.1, the national safety standard for personal eye and face protection devices, delineates crucial distinctions between primary and secondary eye protection. Understanding the difference between the two is pivotal for both workers and safety professionals to ensure comprehensive eye safety protocols. Let’s delve into the specifics.
Primary Eye Protection
Primary eye protection, as per ANSI Z87.1, refers to protective eyewear designed to shield against anticipated hazards, offering frontline defense. This includes safety glasses and goggles engineered to withstand high-velocity impacts, flying debris, and chemical splashes commonly encountered in industrial environments. These protective devices adhere to rigorous standards, ensuring robust resistance against potential threats.
Examples of Primary Eye Protection:
Safety Glasses: Constructed from durable materials such as polycarbonate, safety glasses feature impact-resistant lenses and sturdy frames. They are ideal for tasks involving moderate risks, such as machining, woodworking, or metalworking.
Safety Goggles: Offering a sealed fit around the eyes, safety goggles provide superior protection against airborne particles, liquids, and vapors. They are suitable for environments where chemical exposure or fine particulates pose hazards, such as laboratory work or chemical handling.
Secondary Eye Protection
Secondary eye protection serves as a supplementary layer of defense, worn over primary eyewear to enhance safety in specific conditions or tasks. While primary eye protection addresses foreseeable risks, secondary protection often mitigates unforeseen or elevated hazards, enhancing overall safety measures. That said, ANSI Z87.1 dictates that primary eye protection is still required when wearing secondary eye protection. For example, workers who wear face shields while doing their job must also wear primary eye protection like safety glasses.
Examples of Secondary Eye Protection:
Face Shields: Designed to cover the entire face, face shields offer extensive protection against various hazards, including electric arc flash, impact, heat, chemical splashes, and molten metal splatter. They are indispensable in environments where the risk of severe facial injuries is high, such as welding, metal casting, or grinding operations.
Welding Helmets: Specifically engineered for welding applications, welding helmets provide full-face coverage, with many being equipped with auto-darkening lenses. These helmets shield against the intense light, sparks, and infrared radiation emitted during welding processes, ensuring optimal safety for welders.
Distinguishing Between Primary and Secondary Eye Protection
While both primary and secondary eye protection are integral components of industrial safety, discerning their roles is essential for effective risk management. Primary eye protection addresses routine hazards encountered during everyday tasks, offering direct defense against anticipated risks. On the other hand, secondary eye protection provides additional safeguards against elevated hazards, thereby bolstering overall safety protocols.
Adherence to ANSI Z87.1 mandates a comprehensive approach to eye protection in industrial settings. By understanding the difference between primary and secondary eye protection, and implementing appropriate measures, industrial workers and safety professionals can fortify workplace safety, safeguarding the vision and well-being of their workforce amidst the rigors of industrial operations.
To learn more about primary vs. secondary eye protection as defined by ANSI Z87.1, please contact us today.
Electrical workers understand that when it comes to face and eye protection, selecting the appropriate protective gear is crucial in safeguarding against hazardous electrical incidents. Among the various components of personal protective equipment (PPE), arc flash hoods play a pivotal role in shielding workers from the intense heat, radiant energy, and potential debris generated during an arc flash event. In this blog, we’ll delve into the features and benefits of three distinct styles of arc flash hoods: traditional “beekeeper” style arc flash hoods, lift-front arc flash hoods, and arc flash shrouds.
Traditional “Beekeeper” Arc Flash Hoods
These hoods, reminiscent of beekeeper veils, feature a single-piece design with an integrated face shield and hood. The face shield attaches to a hardhat, while the fabric hood covers the hardhat and attaches to the face shield, typically with a hook & loop pattern or snaps. Constructed from flame-resistant materials, these hoods provide excellent arc flash protection while ensuring comfort and ease of movement. The face shield offers a wide field of vision, enabling clear visibility of the work area, and will typically incorporate antifog coatings on the face shield to maintain visibility in humid or high-temperature environments. One notable advantage of this style is its simplicity and quick donning, making it ideal for situations requiring rapid deployment of PPE. Additionally, some models incorporate ventilation systems to minimize heat stress, further enhancing worker comfort.
Lift-Front Arc Flash Hoods
Lift-front hoods are characterized by their innovative design, featuring a hinged face shield that can be raised for improved ventilation and communication without fully removing the hood. This design facilitates easy access to the wearer’s face, allowing for hydration, adjustment of eyewear, or communication with colleagues without compromising safety. The ability to lift the face shield also facilitates efficient decontamination and inspection of the hood after use, ensuring proper maintenance and prolonging the lifespan of the PPE. Like “beekeeper” arc flash shields, most face shields for lift-front hoods will feature antifog coatings.
Arc Flash Shrouds
Arc flash shrouds represent a specialized form of arc flash protection, consisting of a detachable shroud that can be worn in conjunction with compatible arc-rated clothing. Instead of covering the hardhat, shrouds attach to the inside of the hardhat, covers the back of the worker’s head & neck, and attaches in the front to the lower portion of the face shield, usually with a hook & loop pattern. Shrouds use less fabric than traditional hoods and are therefore lighter weight and offer better freedom of movement, while still providing full coverage of the head and neck area. Additionally, the detachable nature of arc flash shrouds allows for convenient replacement or customization, ensuring optimal fit and functionality for individual users.
Choosing the Right Arc Flash Hood
Each style of arc flash hood offers unique features and benefits suited to diverse workplace scenarios and personal preferences. Traditional “beekeeper” style hoods prioritize simplicity and rapid deployment, making them well-suited for emergency response situations. Lift-front hoods provide added versatility with their innovative design, allowing for improved ventilation, communication, and maintenance. Arc flash shrouds offer full protection while minimizing the weight of the garment and maximizing comfort, mobility, and ventilation. It’s important to note that with all arc flash hoods discussed in this blog, the worker is not required to wear an arc-rated balaclava while wearing the hood, per NFPA 70E. The 360° head, neck, and face protection provided by the hood (including arc flash shrouds) is sufficient to not need the balaclava, further enhancing worker comfort.
Ultimately, the selection of the most suitable arc flash hood depends on factors such as job requirements, environmental conditions, and wearer preferences. By understanding the distinct features of each style, electrical workers and safety professionals can make informed decisions to ensure optimal protection against arc flash hazards in the workplace. Stay safe, stay informed, and prioritize your safety with the right arc flash protective gear.
For more information on the variety of face shields Paulson manufactures for arc flash protective hoods, please contact us today.
In the world of industrial safety, face and eye protection are critical. When it comes to selecting the right face shield or goggles, the performance of the transparent plastic material needs to be taken into consideration. Factors such as resistance to high (or low) temperature, impact, and chemical splash hazards are all important considerations. When manufacturing our world-class face shields and goggles, Paulson uses three primary transparent plastic materials – polycarbonate, nylon, and Tritan. In this post, we’ll delve into the features and benefits of each to help you make informed choices in safeguarding yourself against workplace hazards.
Polycarbonate
Polycarbonate reigns supreme in industrial settings due to its exceptional impact resistance. This thermoplastic polymer boasts high strength and durability, making it an ideal choice for environments where projectiles and flying debris pose significant risks. Its ability to withstand high impact forces ensures maximum protection for your face and eyes against mechanical hazards.
Polycarbonate also exhibits remarkable heat resistance, making it suitable for applications involving elevated temperatures. Whether you’re working in foundries or welding environments, polycarbonate face shields offer reliable protection against radiant heat and sparks, safeguarding your vision and facial integrity. In addition to high heat, polycarbonate performs excellent in low temperature conditions, making it ideal for applications such as cryogenic work and food processing.
However, while polycarbonate excels in impact and temperature resistance, it may not be the best choice for handling certain chemicals. Prolonged exposure to harsh chemicals can cause degradation and compromise its structural integrity, potentially compromising safety in chemical-intensive work environments.
Nylon, a versatile thermoplastic known for its strength and flexibility, presents unique advantages in certain industrial settings. Nylon offers superior chemical resistance compared to polycarbonate, making it an excellent choice for protection against corrosive substances and chemical splashes.
Nylon also exhibits good thermal stability, allowing it to withstand high temperatures without deformation or degradation. This makes nylon face shields suitable for environments where both chemical exposure and high heat are prevalent, such as laboratories, chemical processing plants, and pulp & paper mills.
Paulson’s transparent nylon face shield is an excellent option for workers in environments where extreme heat (500-600° Fahrenheit) and chemical hazards are present, such as pulp & paper mills.
Tritan
Tritan, a relatively newer player in the transparent plastic arena, combines the benefits of both polycarbonate and nylon while offering unique properties of its own. With excellent impact resistance comparable to polycarbonate and enhanced chemical resistance akin to nylon, Tritan presents a compelling option for versatile face and eye protection in industrial settings. Tritan’s resistance to a broad range of chemicals, including acids, bases, and hydrocarbons, makes it an excellent choice for chemical splash protection.
Additionally, Tritan exhibits exceptional clarity and optical quality, ensuring clear vision without distortion or haze. This feature is particularly advantageous in tasks requiring precise vision, such as machining and assembly operations.
However, it’s essential to note that Tritan may have limitations in extreme conditions, such as ultra-high temperatures or prolonged exposure to highly corrosive chemicals. Therefore, while it offers a balanced combination of properties, evaluating its suitability based on your specific workplace hazards is crucial.
In the process of choosing between polycarbonate, nylon, and Tritan for industrial face and eye protection, it’s important that a thorough assessment of the predominant hazards in your workplace be conducted. Polycarbonate excels in impact and high/low temperature resistance, nylon offers superior heat and chemical resistance, and Tritan provides a balanced blend of both while ensuring optical clarity. By understanding the distinct features and benefits of these materials, you can make informed decisions to enhance safety and protect against potential hazards in your work environment.
For more information on the different types of plastic materials we use and their specific features and benefits, please contact us today.
In the dynamic landscape of industrial workplaces, the importance of prioritizing safety cannot be overstated. Among the myriad safety standards that govern protective equipment, ANSI Z87.1 stands out as a cornerstone for face and eye protection. In this blog, we’ll delve into some of the safety requirements of the ANSI Z87.1 standard, aiming to empower industrial workers with a nuanced understanding of the vital regulations that safeguard their most valuable assets – their face and eyes.
Understanding the ANSI Z87.1 Standard
The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) Z87.1 standard is the standard bearer when it comes to eye and face protection in industrial settings. This robust set of guidelines encompasses a wide range of safety aspects, ensuring that face and eye protective equipment meet stringent requirements for impact resistance, optical clarity, and coverage.
Impact Resistance
One of the primary objectives of ANSI Z87.1 is to mitigate the risk of injuries resulting from impacts. Industrial environments are rife with potential hazards, including flying debris, chemical splashes, and other projectiles. The standard mandates that protective eyewear and face shields must pass rigorous impact tests, providing a level of assurance that the equipment can withstand high-velocity impacts without compromising the safety of the worker.
Optical Clarity
Clear vision is paramount in any industrial task, and ANSI Z87.1 ensures that protective eyewear and face shields maintain optical clarity. The standard outlines precise specifications for lens quality, including measures to prevent distortion, haze, and other visual impairments. This not only safeguards the worker from potential accidents but also enhances overall productivity by facilitating a clear line of sight.
Coverage Requirements
Effective face and eye protection must cover the critical areas susceptible to injuries. ANSI Z87.1 meticulously defines the minimum coverage requirements, ensuring that protective gear shields the eyes, face, and surrounding areas adequately. This comprehensive approach minimizes the risk of injuries from various angles, providing a robust defense against unforeseen workplace hazards.
Marking and Certification
ANSI Z87.1-compliant protective gear is easily identifiable through specific markings. Manufacturers must label their products with the Z87.1 certification, indicating that the equipment has undergone rigorous testing and meets the stringent safety criteria. Workers should always look for these markings to guarantee that their protective gear adheres to the highest industry standards.
Promoting a Culture of Safety
Industrial workers play a pivotal role in their own safety and understanding the ANSI Z87.1 standard is a key component of this responsibility. Regular training sessions should be conducted to familiarize workers with the nuances of the standard, emphasizing the importance of choosing and maintaining compliant protective gear.
In the fast-paced world of industrial work, prioritizing safety is non-negotiable. ANSI Z87.1 serves as a beacon, guiding manufacturers and end-users towards a common goal – safeguarding the eyes and face from potential hazards. By adhering to this rigorous standard, industrial workers can carry out their tasks with confidence, knowing that their protective gear is a robust defense against the unpredictable challenges of the workplace. Stay safe, stay compliant, and protect what matters most – your vision and well-being.
For more information on ANSI Z87.1 and the world-class Paulson products that meet this standard, please contact us today.
A dark tinted face shield and a face shield with a shade rating for IR (infrared) protection are both types of personal protective equipment (PPE) designed to shield the wearer’s face and eyes from various hazards, but they serve different purposes and offer distinct levels of protection.
A dark tinted face shield is primarily used to reduce glare and brightness from intense light sources, such as welding arcs, bright outdoor sunlight, or other high-intensity light applications. A tinted shield is often made from materials that have been treated or coated to absorb or reflect a significant portion of visible light, making the environment more comfortable for the wearer by reducing eye strain and preventing temporary blindness caused by excessive brightness. However, while it provides excellent protection against visible light, it might not necessarily offer the required protection against other hazards like infrared radiation or ultraviolet (UV) rays.
On the other hand, a face shield with a shade rating for IR protection is specifically designed to protect against the harmful effects of infrared radiation. In certain industrial settings, such as welding, metal cutting, or glass manufacturing, intense levels of infrared radiation can be emitted. Prolonged exposure to IR radiation can lead to serious health issues, including eye damage and burns. A face shield with a shade rating for IR protection is equipped with special filters or coatings that selectively block or absorb infrared radiation while allowing a certain level of visible light to pass through. These shields are assigned a shade rating, usually indicated by a number, which corresponds to the level of IR protection provided. Higher shade numbers indicate higher levels of protection against IR radiation.
For welding applications, the choice of shade value depends on the specific welding process, the type of materials being welded, the welding current, and the ambient lighting conditions. Different welding processes, such as Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW), Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW), and Tungsten Inert Gas (TIG) Welding, emit varying levels of UV and IR radiation. Therefore, welders need to select a shade value that is appropriate for the specific welding operation they are performing.
For example, a shade value of Shade 10 is suitable for less intense welding processes, such as TIG welding, where the arc is relatively dim. On the other hand, higher shade values like Shade 12 or higher may be necessary for more intense processes like arc welding, which produce a brighter and more powerful arc. Using an inadequate shade level can lead to “arc eye” or “welder’s flash”, a painful condition caused by exposure to excessive UV radiation, which feels like having sand in the eyes and can take a day or two to manifest.
However, it’s important to strike a balance between protection and visibility. Darker lenses offer better protection but may hinder the welder’s ability to see their workpiece clearly. Many modern auto-darkening welding helmets have adjustable shade settings that automatically darken when the arc is struck and return to a lighter state when welding stops. This technology provides both optimal protection and visibility, adapting to the changing lighting conditions in real-time. Additionally, flip-front face shields for dynamic work environments, utilizing a clear base face shield and shaded flip-front outer shield, allow the worker to have a clear view for optimal visibility, and shaded protection when engaging in the welding application.
Paulson has been manufacturing world-class face and eye protection for industrial workers for decades. Whether it’s dark tinted face shields for UV and bright light conditions, or our proprietary nanoparticle formulated shaded welding face shields, workers can rely on our face shields to protect them on the job so they can get home safe each day.
For more information on our dark tinted or shaded face shields, please contact us today.
Law enforcement officers face all sorts of potential on-the-job hazards. The fact is, to keep the public safe, officers often put their own physical well-being at risk. In a riot or civil disturbance situation, any number of personal injuries can occur. It’s critical that officers in these situations have personal protective equipment (PPE) that offers maximum protection while allowing them to perform their job effectively. Tactical PPE must meet all applicable national safety standards in design and performance. In the case of helmets and face shields, the performance must meet/exceed the NIJ 0104.02 standard, which establishes requirements and test methods for helmets and face shields to be worn by police officers during civil disturbances, riots, or other situations that threaten injuries to the head and face.
NIJ 0104.02 was established by the National Institute of Justice (NIJ), the research, development, and evaluation agency of the U.S. Department of Justice, for testing and certifying tactical helmets. These helmets are designed to protect law enforcement, military personnel, and other tactical units from various ballistic threats and impacts. The standard covers multiple protection features of helmets, including resistance to penetration and deformation.
The standard also addresses the requirements for face shield attachments, which are crucial components of a comprehensive head protection system. As such, the face shield attachment must undergo rigorous testing to ensure its effectiveness and safety.
Some key elements of the testing process for face shields include:
Impact Performance: Face shields are subjected to impact testing, such as being dropped from specific heights onto various surfaces to simulate real-world riot conditions. The face shield must demonstrate the ability to withstand these impacts without cracking or compromising the protection it offers. Furthermore, the face shield should resist penetration from sharp objects like knives and other pointed implements.
Optical Quality: It is essential for face shields to provide clear and distortion-free vision to the officer. The standard assesses the optical quality of the materials used in the face shield, ensuring that they do not hinder the wearer’s ability to identify threats accurately. This includes requirements related to refractive power, astigmatism, and light transmittance.
Fragmentation Resistance: In addition to ballistic threats, face shields are tested for their ability to resist fragmentation. This is crucial because during an explosive event, fragments can pose a significant risk to the wearer’s face and eyes.
Durability and Retention: Face shield attachments are evaluated for their overall durability and retention to ensure they remain securely attached to the helmet during normal use. The standard requires the face shield to stay in place even under challenging conditions.
Environmental and Chemical Resistance: Face shield attachments must be tested for resistance to environmental factors like temperature variations, humidity, and exposure to chemicals. This is to ensure that the material remains intact and effective throughout the helmet’s service life.
Once a face shield passes all the required tests and meets the criteria specified in the NIJ 0104.02 standard, it can be considered certified for use with tactical helmets. This certification provides confidence to law enforcement and military personnel that the face shield offers the necessary protection and performance levels required for their operational needs.
The NIJ 0104.02 standard plays a critical role in defining the requirements and evaluation procedures for tactical helmets with face shields. Paulson has been developing such face shields for decades, trusted around the globe for their quality and durability. We also partner with the top tactical helmet manufacturers to ensure our face shields adapt to the ever evolving and innovative helmet market. We’re proud to offer Made in the U.S.A. tactical face shields that meet the NIJ 0104.02 standard, helping to ensure law enforcement officers can get home safely each day.
To learn more about the NIJ 0104.02 standard or the tactical products we manufacture, please contact us today.
Mill & foundry workers of the molten metal industry face no shortage of potential on-the-job hazards, not the least of which is extreme radiant & infrared heat emitting from the molten materials. Common PPE in steel and other types of mills include aluminized suits & gloves, hardhats, and heat reflective face shields. In addition to the extremely high temperatures, bright light emitted from the molten metal can be harmful to the worker’s eyes. Over the years, Paulson has developed specific PPE for mill & foundry workers to protect against both extreme temperatures and UV/infrared light.
What is the Sodium Line?
The “sodium line” refers to a specific wavelength of light emitted by sodium atoms when they transition from a higher energy state to a lower one. When a metal is in a molten state, the atoms are highly energized due to the increased temperature. As a result, the molten material emits light of various wavelengths, including the characteristic yellow light associated with sodium-based slag that rises to the tops of ladles containing the molten metal.
To block out this bright yellow light, workers of the molten metal industry often use shaded cobalt blue lenses. Cobalt blue is a specific shade of blue that filters out certain wavelengths of light while allowing others to pass through. Cobalt blue lenses selectively absorb light in the yellow region of the spectrum, including the wavelength emitted by the sodium atoms in molten metal. When light passes through the lens, the cobalt compounds absorb and attenuate the yellow light emitted by sodium, preventing it from reaching the eyes. At the same time, the lens allows other wavelengths, such as blues and greens, to pass through with minimal absorption. The optical filter created from a cobalt blue lens cancels out the yellow component of the light. As a result, the worker can see the molten material without the dominant yellow tint caused by sodium light. It’s important to note that shaded cobalt blue lenses may not eliminate the yellow color, especially in intense sodium lighting conditions. However, they significantly reduce its intensity and make the light more tolerable for the human eye.
Nanoparticle Cobalt Blue Face Shields by Paulson Mfg.
Using advanced materials science, including nanotechnology, Paulson has developed the only shaded cobalt blue face shields on the market for the molten metal industry. The polycarbonate base material of the shields provides excellent heat and impact protection, while the nanoparticle cobalt blue formulation meets the visible and IR transmittance requirements of ANSI Z87.1. Available in welding shades 3 – 9, the cobalt blue provides excellent eye protection from the intense and often harmful bright yellow light of the sodium line.
To learn more about Paulson’s next-gen nanoparticle cobalt blue face shields for the molten metal industry, please contact us today.
A face shield will come in different shapes and designs depending on the application in which it’s being used and the manufacturer that makes it. Most face shields for industrial use have historically had a cylindrical curve in which the surface of the shield has a curve that is parallel to the wearer’s face. However, in more recent years, toric shaped face shields, which have a curved surface that follows the shape of the face, have become more popular. In this blog, we’ll discuss some of the advantages of toric face shields versus those with a cylindrical design, and why the demand for toric shields will continue to grow over the coming years.
Advantage #1: Better Protection
A toric-shaped face shield provides better protection as it covers the face more snugly than a cylindrical one. The curvature of the toric shape helps to prevent particles from entering around the edges of the shield. The toric shields made by Paulson feature an integrated chin protector, which is shaped and sized with ergonomics in mind. The chin protector is transparent, allowing for downward visibility and minimizing blind spots.
Advantage #2: Increased Comfort
A toric-shaped face shield provides increased comfort for the wearer by reducing the need for constant adjustments, which can be distracting and lead to the shield getting dirty. A comfortable face shield also encourages the wearer to keep it on for longer periods, improving overall protection.
Advantage #3: Clearer Vision
The curvature of a toric-shaped face shield can help to reduce glare and distortion, leading to clearer vision. This is especially important in tasks that require a high level of precision, such as electrical safety.
Advantage #4: Enhanced Style
Toric-shaped face shields are more modern and aesthetically pleasing, making them more appealing and fashionable than cylindrical shields. This can help to improve compliance among wearers, especially in settings where face shields are worn for extended periods.
Advantage #5: Lower Profile Fit
Since it conforms to the shape of the face, a toric-shaped face shield will be lower profile than a cylindrical shield, which is ideal for work in confined spaces or while climbing poles/ladders. A toric shield will also have a lower profile while in the stowed position above the worker’s head, which helps in reducing the weight imbalance of the shield felt by the worker.
Advantage #6: Higher Likelihood of Compliance
At the end of the day, driving a culture of safety and compliance is the top priority for safety managers. Workers will be more likely to wear their PPE when the PPE is comfortable, more modern, and less bulky. Toric-shaped face shields help drive compliance for those who might not otherwise be inclined to wear their face shield.
Paulson has been developing world-class face & eye protection since 1947. Over the years, we’ve become experts in producing some of the highest quality face shields in the world for a variety of applications. This includes face shields that protect against hazards from electrical arc flash, radiant infrared heat, UV and infrared light, chemical splash, and debris/impact.
For more information on toric-shaped face shields by Paulson Mfg., please contact us today.
Firefighting is a dangerous profession, and firefighters require specialized protective gear to keep themselves safe while responding to emergencies. To ensure that firefighters are as safe as possible while performing their duties, safety standards have been developed to regulate the design, performance, and testing of personal protective equipment (PPE). These standards are developed and maintained by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and are updated on a regular basis to keep up with advancements in technology and changes in the industry. This blog will explain three key NFPA standards for firefighter PPE: NFPA 1971, NFPA 1977, and NFPA 1951.
NFPA 1971: Standard on Protective Ensembles for Structural and Proximity Firefighting
NFPA 1971 outlines the minimum requirements for structural firefighting PPE, including helmets, gloves, boots, turnout coats and pants, and self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA). It also sets requirements for the design, construction, and performance of PPE to ensure that firefighters are protected from thermal, physical, and environmental hazards they may face while on the job.
NFPA 1977: Standard on Protective Clothing and Equipment for Wildland Firefighting
NFPA 1977 specifies the minimum requirements for PPE used by firefighters during wildland firefighting operations. Wildland firefighting involves responding to fires in rural or wilderness areas, where firefighters face different hazards than they do in urban or suburban settings.
NFPA 1951: Standard on Protective Ensembles for Technical Rescue Incidents
NFPA 1951 is the standard for protective ensembles used in technical rescue incidents. Technical rescue incidents involve responding to emergencies such as confined space rescue, high-angle rescue, and trench rescue. The standard specifies the minimum requirements for PPE, including helmets, gloves, boots, and full-body harnesses, used by firefighters during technical rescue operations.
PPE Performance Requirements in NFPA 1971, 1977, 1951
Some of the key PPE requirements laid out in NFPA 1971, 1977, and 1951 include:
Thermal Protection: PPE needs to provide a minimum level of thermal protection to protect firefighters from heat and flames. The material used in the gear should be able to withstand high temperatures without melting or causing burns to the wearer.
Water Resistance: PPE needs to provide a minimum level of water resistance to protect firefighters from steam burns and other related injuries.
Visibility: PPE should have reflective trim and other visibility enhancements to ensure firefighters are visible in low-light conditions.
Impact Resistance: The PPE should provide a certain level of impact resistance to protect firefighters from falling objects or debris.
Cut Resistance: The PPE should provide a certain level of cut resistance to protect firefighters from sharp objects or tools.
Durability: PPE needs to be able to withstand wear and tear from repeated use, cleaning, and disinfection.
Comfort: PPE should be comfortable to wear and allow for freedom of movement while providing adequate protection.
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Choose a Leading Firefighter PPE Manufacturer
Paulson’s legendary A-TAC® firefighter goggle was the first fire goggle on the market designed to meet the performance specifications of NFPA 1971, 1977, and 1951. Our expertise in materials science and enhanced optics make us the trusted face & eye protection manufacturer for firefighters around the world. To learn more about our firefighter PPE made right here in the U.S.A., please contact us today.
When it comes to face shields for industrial use, there are two basic components to the overall assembly – the window and the attachment system. The window is the transparent shield that provides the actual face & eye protection, with things like color and material depending on the application. The attachment system will be one of two types – a bracket for use with a hardhat or safety helmet, or headgear to be worn directly on the worker’s head with no helmet. Many severe industrial applications will be mandated by OSHA to require the use of a hardhat or helmet, while headgear is typically used in less severe applications. In this latest installment of the Paulson Rundown, we’ll discuss the different types of face shield attachment systems offered by Paulson Mfg., and the features & benefits of each one.
Brackets for Slotted Cap Hardhats & Safety Helmets
Slotted cap brackets are designed for cap-style hardhats that feature a front-brim and slots on each side. The bracket itself has a similar radius to the brim of the hardhat and utilizes slotted cap adapters on each side to slide and lock into the hardhat slots. To attach the window, many brackets utilize a universal cam lock system which are compatible with any window that features a universal hole pattern. The bracket features a pivot screw on each side that allows the shield to be raised above the hardhat (stowed position) and lowered to cover the face (deployed position).
In an effort to minimize the weight imbalance of the shield while in the stowed position, Paulson has recently launched our line of weight-compensating slotted cap brackets. These brackets feature a different pivot point than our standard cap brackets, which positions the shield further back and lower above the hardhat while in the stowed position. Rather than cam locks, these new brackets feature Paulson’s LeverLock® attachment system, which attaches to Paulson windows with a custom LeverLock® hole pattern.
Another innovation in Paulson’s line of slotted cap brackets is our press-to-release slotted cap adapters. Slotted cap brackets have been notoriously difficult to detach from the helmet once the slotted adapters are locked in place. To address this issue, Paulson slotted cap adapters now feature a press-to-release tab, allowing for easy shield removal.
Finally, it’s important to point out that more and more workers are opting for climbing-style safety helmets. These helmets have several key advantages over traditional hardhats, including enhanced side and back impact protection; a chin strap to ensure the helmet stays on in the event of a fall; low profile and compact fit (great for confined spaces and climbing poles); and in some cases, an advanced membrane system for added protection. However, for all of their great features and benefits, the market has been lacking in a broad range of face protection solutions compatible with all major safety helmet brands. Current available face shields are typically proprietary to that specific helmet brand, and compatible face shields for severe industrial applications like arc flash, molten metal, chemical splash, welding, etc. are few and far between. To fill this need, Paulson has developed a line of weight-compensating brackets compatible with the major climbing-style safety helmet brands, including Petzl®, KASK®, and more. Paulson’s full line of face protection solutions can now be worn with these new and innovative helmets, which continue to grow in popularity.
Popular Slotted Cap Bracket Models:
CB2-HD: Slotted Cap Bracket, Cam Lock Attachment System
AMP-CS: AmpShield® Slotted Cap Bracket, LeverLock® Attachment System
Universal Brackets for Slotted & Non-Slotted Cap Hardhats
Similar to slotted cap brackets, universal cap brackets are designed to attach a face shield window to a cap-style hardhat. The difference is, rather than utilizing slotted adapters that slide and lock into the hardhat slots, a universal cap bracket utilizes an elastomeric band that wraps around the hardhat, making it compatible with both slotted and non-slotted cap-style hardhats. These brackets feature a brim clip that wraps around the front brim of the hardhat. Once this clip is in place on the brim, the elastomeric band is positioned at the rear of the hardhat, securing the bracket in place. For window attachment, Paulson’s universal cap brackets utilize either a cam lock or LeverLock® system, just like our slotted cap models. These brackets are a good choice if you are unsure if you will be wearing hardhat with slots, if there is a combination of slotted and non-slotted hardhats on a work crew, or if you prefer the ease of detaching the bracket with elastomeric band.
Popular Universal Cap Bracket Models:
CB6-HD: Universal Cap Bracket, Cam Lock Attachment System
AMP-CU: AmpShield® Universal Cap Bracket, LeverLock® Attachment System
Universal Brackets for Full-Brim Hardhats
For many applications, a full-brim hardhat is the preferred helmet for workers, as the brim gives increased UV protection all around the head. This is especially true for outdoor construction and utility workers, particularly in sunnier regions of the country. For these hardhats, universal full-brim hat brackets are the most common choice for attaching a face shield. These brackets are very similar to universal cap brackets – both feature the brim clip & elastomeric band, and both have models available with cam lock or LeverLock® window attachment systems. The difference is that a full-brim hat bracket will have a wider radius to properly fit the wider brim of the hardhat.
Popular Full-Brim Hat Bracket Models:
HB2-HD: Full-Brim Hat Bracket, Cam Lock Attachment System
AMP-CH: AmpShield® Full-Brim Hat Bracket, LeverLock® Attachment System
Brackets for Slotted Full-Brim Hardhats
There are several full-brim hardhats on the market that feature slots on each side. For these, Paulson has developed full-brim slotted hat brackets for MSA® and North® slotted full-brim hardhats. This allows the worker to attach the face shield with slotted cap adapters instead of using an elastomeric band. While not as popular as a traditional full-brim hat bracket, brackets for slotted full-brim hardhats are a great option for those who prefer not to use the elastomeric band to attach the face shield.
Popular Slotted Full-Brim Hat Bracket Models:
AMP-CHSM: AmpShield® Slotted Full-Brim Hat Bracket, MSA® Compatibility, LeverLock® Attachment System
AMP-CHSN: AmpShield® Slotted Full-Brim Hat Bracket, North® Compatibility, LeverLock® Attachment System
Headgear
Finally, workers who will not be wearing a hardhat or safety helmet will need to attach their face shield window to headgear worn directly on their head. This is typically a headband with either a pinlock or ratchet adjustment system, and usually feature a forehead cushion for comfort. Most headgear will also feature a spark guard in the front, which will vary in size. Like brackets, headgear attachment systems feature a pivot screw on each side, allowing the face shield to be raised to the stowed position and lowered to the deployed position. Also, like brackets, headgear will typically utilize a cam lock system to attach the face shield window. While headgear does provide some head protection, it certainly won’t provide the same level of protection as a hardhat or safety helmet. In fact, wearing a hardhat or safety helmet is OSHA mandated for many applications, including protection against electrical arc flash. That said, headgear is a popular choice for applications where a hardhat or helmet is not required.
Popular Headgear Models:
HG4-S: Ratchet Adjustment, 3” Spark Guard, Cam Lock Attachment System
HG7-H: Ratchet Adjustment, 6” Spark Guard, Cam Lock Attachment System
Over 75 Years of “Quality Products to Protect People”
Since 1947, Paulson has been manufacturing world-class face & eye protection for industrial workers and first responders. Over the decades, we’ve developed an extensive lineup of face shield windows for industrial use, as well as the various attachment systems for these windows. As always, our product innovation is heavily influenced by end-user feedback, with safety, compliance, and worker comfort as the main drivers of that innovation. To learn more about our face shield attachment systems, please contact us today.
