Company unveils new occupational safety helmet

As part of a joint launch, occupational safety specialists the Franconian uvex safety group and Swedish company Mips have launched two new occupational safety helmets.

This includes an extended form of the well-known occupational safety helmet Pheos S-KR, and a completely new industrial climbing helmet according to EN397 and EN12492 – the pronamic alpine Mips.

The Multi-directional impact protection system (Mips), now integrated into the helmets, is designed to redirect dangerous rotational movements in the event of an accident that could otherwise be transmitted to the wearer's head.

Head injuries are not uncommon in the working environment. Among the most frequently injured body parts in occupational accidents, the head ranks third.

In around 40% of all fatal accidents, injuries to the head were significantly involved. The causes of head injuries are diverse, according to a study published in 2021.

Most often, sufferers slip, trip or fall, are hit by a falling object or fall to a lower level.

However, many accidents around the head do not occur linearly but take place at an angle. As a result, so-called rotational movements can act on the head and brain, which can be very dangerous and lead to severe brain injuries.

According to a recent representative online survey by German research organisation NielsenIQ, only 33% of respondents had an idea of what rotational movements are.

“By integrating Mips technology into our safety helmets, we are pursuing the goal of increasing the wearer's protection against rotational forces that occur in many accidents. The added protection contributes fully to our uvex mission – protecting people,” comments uvex product group management director Wolf Wagner.

Functional for Rotational Movements

The Mips safety system consists of a low friction layer installed in helmets. The system is modelled on cerebrospinal fluid – our natural protective system – which allows the brain to move relative to the skull.

Accordingly, the Mips safety system enables a movement of 10 mm to 15 mm between the helmet and head in all directions – to redirect the rotational movements acting on the head in an accident during certain oblique shocks.

"We are thrilled to launch these helmets on the market together with uvex. These are two different types of helmets that are suitable for different types of work, both are the result of the new partnership between Mips and uvex," says Mips senior safety business developer Olof Rylander.

The Uvex Pronamic Alpine Mips
The uvex pronamic alpine Mips was made available in September. The basic variant already combines the technical requirements of the EN397 and EN12492 standards in one helmet.

In addition, the helmet has the size range from 51 cm to 63 cm head circumference as standard. The versatile adjustability of the head ring, generous ventilation openings and easily and quickly replaceable chin straps ensure optimal wearing comfort.

Extensive mounting slots complement the plus in safety and functionality for helmet accessories such as headlamps, full-vision goggles and hearing protection capsules.

The uvex pronamic alpine Mips is fully-certified according to EN397 and EN12492 and was developed for the accident protection of industry employees, the construction industry, height work and other craft trades.

Further, uvex has added an updated version of the Pheos S-KR, now with the Mips safety system to its portfolio, which will be available in September.

As standard, it has a short shade and a pre-assembled 4-point chin strap, climazone ventilation and a rotary wheel for infinitely variable width adjustment. In order to increase the wearing comfort, the enlarged "Spiderneck" neckpad is mounted on the dial in front of the Mips version as standard.

This increases the contact surface, thus reducing the pressure and ensuring a secure fit. The uvex Pheos S-KR Mips is certified according to EN397 and is also available in Hi-Viz Orange.