by Brianna Crandall — July 7, 2014—The International Safety Equipment Association (ISEA) has received American National Standards Institute (ANSI) approval for ANSI/ISEA Z89.1-2014, American National Standard for Industrial Head Protection. This standard was prepared by members of ISEA’s Head Protection Group as a revision to the 2009 edition and approved by a consensus review panel of technical experts, unions, construction industry and other user groups, test labs, certification agencies and government agencies.
Although the core performance requirements remain unchanged, key updates in this version incorporate an optional preconditioning at higher temperatures of 60°C 2°C (140°F 3.6°F). The revision enables additional protection in response to users who may work in especially hot environments.
Head protection devices that meet the applicable product performance criteria after having been exposed to these higher temperatures will bear a unique mark indicating such, to provide easy identification to the user. The markings for head protection that meet higher temperature performance requirements will be designated HL. In addition, the updates allow for flexibility and inclusion of emerging and state-of-the-art manufacturing materials for higher-temperature protection.
“ISEA’s Head Protection Group established the optional preconditioning at higher temperatures as a parallel to the previous optional cold preconditioning performance criteria,” noted Joann Kline, chairman of the ISEA Head Protection Group and safety products, standards and regulations leader for Kimberly-Clark Professional. “Workers are exposed to myriad head hazards on any given day, and we must be diligent in addressing various safety ranges in work environments to ensure user safety. ISEA’s next step is to encourage and assist OHSA’s recognition of this updated standard in its PPE regulations for head protection.”
The standard can be purchased through the ISEA Online Store for $35 a copy; discounts are available on bulk orders.
Located in Arlington, Virginia, ISEA is the trade association for personal protective equipment and technologies. Established in 1933, ISEA supports its 70-plus member companies in manufacturing and marketing the highest-quality products to protect the safety and health of people who may be exposed to potentially harmful situations while working on the job or at home.
ISEA member companies design and manufacture protective clothing and equipment used in factories, construction sites, hospitals and clinics, farms, schools, laboratories, emergency response and in the home. Products are for head, eye and face, respiratory, hearing, hand and fall protection; high visibility apparel and headwear; environmental monitoring instruments; emergency eyewash and shower equipment; first aid kits, protective apparel; ergonomic protective equipment, respiratory protective escape devices and personal hydration systems.
