Safe Under Helmets

Godrej Sales Officers have to travel on two-wheelers in all kinds of weather conditions. Wearing the appropriate helmet is of utmost importance for their safety. PRAVIN L. PANCHAL, Construction Division, Safety Department, observes that people often prefer to use industrial safety helmets instead of the helmets designed for two-wheeler riders. The chart below (Courtesy: Indian Standard) illustrates reasons for using appropriate helmets when riding two-wheelers.

Sr.No.	Description	Two-Wheeler Helmet	Industrial Safety Helmet
1	Appearance
2	RTO Acceptance
3	To which Indian Standard should it conform?	IS-4151 (1993) Two-wheeler helmets.	IS-2925 (1984) (DGMS approved) For use on-site and at industrial plants.
4	What material is it made of?	Fibreglass or thermoplastic.	HDPE or PVC.
5	Designed for what purpose?	Made to protect user from injuries due to accidents while driving. Designed to take major impacts. (Provision of polystyrene and/or Thermocol to absorb impacts.)	Made to protect user from projectiles or falling bodies and other hazards.Cannot take major impacts.(Headband provided to take minor impacts.)
6	Provision of visor?	Visor provided (2100 vision), made of acrylic or polycarbonate.	Visor not provided.There is no safeguard against flying particles.
7	Chin strap/Nape strap	Chin strap provided with steel anchor plates.The strap itself is made of nylon or terylene.)	Chin strap provided with plasticanchor plates.(The strap is made of nylon and/or polypropylene.)
8	Jaw protection	Full-face helmet is provided with a jaw guard.	No provision of jaw guard.
9	Colours	Available in different bright colours for easy visibility in traffic.(Can also be provided with glow strips, which are easily visible and identifiable at night.)	Available in different colours.Generally not provided with glowing strips.)
10	Life of helmet	Two to three years.	Not more than one year.
11	Helmet lock	Locking arrangements available on bikes.	No locking arrangement provided.
12	Price	Rs. 400 to Rs. 1,500 depending on the quality.	Rs. 50 to Rs. 150.
13	Available sizes	Available in three different sizes.	Available in three different sizes. Adjustable headband provided for a better fit.