Approved Guide
How to Handle Read a Safety Helmet Expiry Date Step by Step
When read a safety helmet expiry date leaves you confused, worried, or unsure what it means, a clear step-by-step approach can help you sort the signal from the stress. This guide explains how to understand the situation, reflect on what matters, choose a practical next step, and know when to ask for trusted support.
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Part
1
Reading the Date of Manufacture Symbol
1
Check the inside of the helmet for a clock-like symbol.
Look for a small circular symbol that’s similar to an analog clock face, with numbers 1 through 12 placed in order around the perimeter. Instead of an hour hand and minute hand, this “clock face” should have a single arrow pointing at one of the perimeter numbers.
- Look for a small circular symbol that’s similar to an analog clock face, with numbers 1 through 12 placed in order around the perimeter.
- Instead of an hour hand and minute hand, this “clock face” should have a single arrow pointing at one of the perimeter numbers.
- Look for a small circular symbol that’s similar to an analog clock face, with numbers 1 through 12 placed in order around the perimeter.
- Instead of an hour hand and minute hand, this “clock face” should have a single arrow pointing at one of the perimeter numbers.
- Look for a small circular symbol that’s similar to an analog clock face, with numbers 1 through 12 placed in order around the perimeter.
2
Determine where the arrow is pointing for the month of manufacture.
The numbers going around the perimeter symbol represent the months of the year—January is 1, February is 2, and so on up to December as 12. The tip of the arrow in the symbol points to the number that corresponds to the month of manufacture.
- The numbers going around the perimeter symbol represent the months of the year—January is 1, February is 2, and so on up to December as 12.
- The tip of the arrow in the symbol points to the number that corresponds to the month of manufacture.
- The numbers going around the perimeter symbol represent the months of the year—January is 1, February is 2, and so on up to December as 12.
- The tip of the arrow in the symbol points to the number that corresponds to the month of manufacture.
- The numbers going around the perimeter symbol represent the months of the year—January is 1, February is 2, and so on up to December as 12.
3
Look for the year of manufacture in the clock face’s center.
In the middle of the clock face symbol, on either side of the arrow, you’ll see a 2-digit number ranging from 00 to 99. These represent the last 2 digits of the year of manufacture.
- In the middle of the clock face symbol, on either side of the arrow, you’ll see a 2-digit number ranging from 00 to 99.
- These represent the last 2 digits of the year of manufacture.
- In the middle of the clock face symbol, on either side of the arrow, you’ll see a 2-digit number ranging from 00 to 99.
- These represent the last 2 digits of the year of manufacture.
- In the middle of the clock face symbol, on either side of the arrow, you’ll see a 2-digit number ranging from 00 to 99.
4
Check for an alternate symbol if you don’t see the clock face.
Depending on government regulations and/or manufacturer preferences, some safety helmets may use a different date of manufacture symbol. While the clock face symbol is by far the most common, you might instead, for example, see a square broken up into 4 smaller squares with a 2-digit number in its center. The number represents the year of manufacture, while the quadrant squares represent 3-month periods of the year.
- Depending on government regulations and/or manufacturer preferences, some safety helmets may use a different date of manufacture symbol.
- While the clock face symbol is by far the most common, you might instead, for example, see a square broken up into 4 smaller squares with a 2-digit number in its center.
- The number represents the year of manufacture, while the quadrant squares represent 3-month periods of the year.
- Depending on government regulations and/or manufacturer preferences, some safety helmets may use a different date of manufacture symbol.
- While the clock face symbol is by far the most common, you might instead, for example, see a square broken up into 4 smaller squares with a 2-digit number in its center.
Part
2
Knowing When to Replace Your Helmet
1
Get rid of your helmet immediately if it sustains an impact.
When worn and maintained properly, safety helmets do a great job of protecting your head from a single impact. But they’re only made to work against that single impact. After that, and even if you can’t see any damage, the helmet should be discarded and replaced.
- When worn and maintained properly, safety helmets do a great job of protecting your head from a single impact.
- But they’re only made to work against that single impact.
- After that, and even if you can’t see any damage, the helmet should be discarded and replaced.
- When worn and maintained properly, safety helmets do a great job of protecting your head from a single impact.
- But they’re only made to work against that single impact.
2
Inspect the helmet daily and replace it if you find damage.
Safety helmets are tough and durable, but they’re not indestructible. Look closely at the start of each workday for any cracks, nicks, chips, dents, or other signs of damage. As soon as your spot any damage, no matter how minor, replace the helmet.
- Safety helmets are tough and durable, but they’re not indestructible.
- Look closely at the start of each workday for any cracks, nicks, chips, dents, or other signs of damage.
- As soon as your spot any damage, no matter how minor, replace the helmet.
- Safety helmets are tough and durable, but they’re not indestructible.
- Look closely at the start of each workday for any cracks, nicks, chips, dents, or other signs of damage.
3
Check the maker’s maximum service life recommendation.
Under ideal working conditions, the maximum service life for a safety helmet ranges from 2 to 5 years. In most cases, it’s up to the helmet manufacturer to set this max range for their product, so check the product guide or the manufacturer’s website to get the max life number for a particular helmet model.
- Under ideal working conditions, the maximum service life for a safety helmet ranges from 2 to 5 years.
- In most cases, it’s up to the helmet manufacturer to set this max range for their product, so check the product guide or the manufacturer’s website to get the max life number for a particular helmet model.
- Under ideal working conditions, the maximum service life for a safety helmet ranges from 2 to 5 years.
- In most cases, it’s up to the helmet manufacturer to set this max range for their product, so check the product guide or the manufacturer’s website to get the max life number for a particular helmet model.
- Under ideal working conditions, the maximum service life for a safety helmet ranges from 2 to 5 years.
4
Calculate service life from the date of issue or date of manufacture.
Technically speaking, the “service life” of a helmet begins on the date of issue—the date when you start actually using it. However, if you haven’t clearly recorded the date of issue—either in the helmet or in a safety file—use the date of manufacture as the starting point for the service life.
- Technically speaking, the “service life” of a helmet begins on the date of issue—the date when you start actually using it.
- However, if you haven’t clearly recorded the date of issue—either in the helmet or in a safety file—use the date of manufacture as the starting point for the service life.
- Technically speaking, the “service life” of a helmet begins on the date of issue—the date when you start actually using it.
- However, if you haven’t clearly recorded the date of issue—either in the helmet or in a safety file—use the date of manufacture as the starting point for the service life.
- Technically speaking, the “service life” of a helmet begins on the date of issue—the date when you start actually using it.
5
Reduce the max service life for helmets used in harsh conditions.
Always keep in mind that the service life number is a maximum, not a guarantee! A helmet may only last for an hour if it sustains an impact, and things like harsh weather conditions can definitely reduce the safe lifespan of your gear. Frequently wearing and/or storing your helmet in direct sunlight, for example, will cause it to show signs of wear and tear more quickly.
- Always keep in mind that the service life number is a maximum, not a guarantee!
- A helmet may only last for an hour if it sustains an impact, and things like harsh weather conditions can definitely reduce the safe lifespan of your gear.
- Frequently wearing and/or storing your helmet in direct sunlight, for example, will cause it to show signs of wear and tear more quickly.
- Always keep in mind that the service life number is a maximum, not a guarantee!
- A helmet may only last for an hour if it sustains an impact, and things like harsh weather conditions can definitely reduce the safe lifespan of your gear.
6
Care for your helmet properly to extend its service life.
Treat your helmet like a finely-tuned safety tool, not just another piece of equipment that you can toss aside at the end of your workday. With proper care, your helmet will last longer and, more importantly, be more likely to protect you when you need it most.
- Treat your helmet like a finely-tuned safety tool, not just another piece of equipment that you can toss aside at the end of your workday.
- With proper care, your helmet will last longer and, more importantly, be more likely to protect you when you need it most.
- Treat your helmet like a finely-tuned safety tool, not just another piece of equipment that you can toss aside at the end of your workday.
- With proper care, your helmet will last longer and, more importantly, be more likely to protect you when you need it most.
- Treat your helmet like a finely-tuned safety tool, not just another piece of equipment that you can toss aside at the end of your workday.
7
Wear your helmet correctly so it can protect you effectively.
Adjust the headband so that the helmet fits snugly but comfortably at the crown of your head—the front of the headband should rest about 1 in (2.5 cm) above your eyebrows. Keep the helmet level on your head, not tilted forward or back. Avoid wearing the helmet backwards.
- Adjust the headband so that the helmet fits snugly but comfortably at the crown of your head—the front of the headband should rest about 1 in (2.5 cm) above your eyebrows.
- Keep the helmet level on your head, not tilted forward or back.
- Avoid wearing the helmet backwards.
- Adjust the headband so that the helmet fits snugly but comfortably at the crown of your head—the front of the headband should rest about 1 in (2.5 cm) above your eyebrows.
- Keep the helmet level on your head, not tilted forward or back.
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