FACESHIELD/PROTECTIVE CAP COMBINATIONS

(First, I'd like to apologize for the gap in posts. Technical difficulties on our end have prevented us from posting)

Many jobs that require face and eye protection also require head protection. Being able to safely and comfortably combine those PPE devices is important to a PPE Program.

ANSI Standards do not cover PPE combination devices or the combined product. The standards only say that "combining PPE shall not adversely affect the protective performance of the products being combined".  A combination device should have: 

        1. A simple design

        2. A minimum number of parts

        3. A secure but comfortable fit

        4. Easy and quick engage and disengage

There are four methods of combining faceshields and protective caps:

       1. Blocks and cups or posts

       2. Slots and blades

       3. Mounting loops

       4. Peak mount

Mounting blocks on the protective cap and cups or posts in the faceshield are sometimes used in extreme working conditions or when the devices remain combined throughout the work day. The biggest drawback is holes are drilled through the shell of the cap to attach the blocks. That reduces the electrical protection of the cap. The blocks that have holes to accommodate mounting posts, present a potential catch point for falling or flying objects.

Slots and blades are the most dangerous method of combining PPE. (See post of 10/13/09 "Head Protection Design is Critical" to see the risks associated with slots in protective caps). They are also the most cumbersome to engage and disengage and the least secure combination because of the possibility of the blades not seating securely in the slots. A separate but related issue is all cap brands that use mounting slots also have reinforcing ribs, ribs and protrusions in the shell that cause the faceshield to bind when the wearer tries to lift it to a rest position.

The combination device that meets the most criteria for a good combination is a "Loop" system. A Loop system requires no modification of the protective cap so the protective performance of the cap is not compromised. A well designed Loop system is the Fibre-Metal by Honeywell brand "Speedy Loop" shown in the picture to the left. As is always the case, most mountings loops appear to be similar, but a closer look reveals significant differences. The advantages that make the Speedy Loop unique are:

      A. It is the only mounting loop that can be adjusted to the exact contour of the caps.
      B. It has no metal parts so caps maintain ANSI electrical protection rating
      C. It has unique deep cut notches in the brim tabs to firmly and securely grip the caps brim.
      D. It is easily and quickly mounted and dismounted without having to remove the cap

When you combine a faceshield with a protective cap, you add weight to the front of the cap which can cause problems like discomfort, difficulty keeping the combined unit on during high activity and a lack of balance and stability.

These problems create a need for something to:

1. Anchor the combined product
2. Distribute the weight
3. Balance and stabilze the product 
4. Hold both components in the proper position
5. Provide adjustments for various wearing positions and activity levels

                

The final method of combining a faceshield with a protective cap is with a cap peak mount device like those shown above. This method is used when there is a need for a perfect seal between the faceshield and the cap to keep dust, dirt and debris from filtering in where the devices come together. Many face and eye injuries today are not caused by high impact, blow through accidents, they are caused by small particles filtering through seams and gaps in the face protection.

The peak mount faceshields shown above are Fibre-Metal by Honeywell brand products that were specifically designed for a major shipyard that was having a lot of eye injuries caused by small metal particles and dust from grinding welds on the hulls of ships. The design and degree of protection is unique:
      1. Dual channel design
      2. One channel is perfectly contoured to the shape of the caps peak
      3. The second holds the window and snaps down and locks over the peak channel
      4. The result is a perfect seal between faceshield and cap
      5. When not needed, smooth action pivot joint allows window to be lifted and locked in a        rest position without having to remove the protective cap
      6. The mounting brackets contain no metal parts and are full dielectric

These are the factors that should be taken into consideration when evaluating the brand, style and model of PPE that is most appropriate for your combined PPE needs. The are many brands on the market. Compare what U see here with what you are using or considering. If you can do better, do it. But if what you see here gives you some new ideas, and makes you aware that there is something different and better, use it to your advantage.

Most importantly, remember that any combination of PPE is only as good as the quality of the components being combined. The combination device adds nothing to the protective capacity of the components. It merely holds the two devices together. The combination device cannot improve performance but it can detract from it. To get a quality faceshield/protective cap combination, you must use only the highest quality faceshields and protective caps. 

Make sure that your protective cap has the features and adjustments to anchor, balance and stabilize the added weight of the faceshield. Make sure it has a smooth crown so that the faceshield doesn't bind when lifted. In fact, make sure your protective cap can deliver all of the things needed in a combination that are listed in this post.

And make sure the faceshields you use are of the quality and performance detailed in our prior post.