There is often uncertainty around how long industrial head protection products, such as safety helmets, can be stored and used effectively.

Shelf life (Storage):
Current ANSI and EN standards do not include a requirement for testing the shelf life of head protection equipment. This is largely due to the wide variation in storage conditions, which makes standardised testing difficult. However, manufacturers are expected to provide guidance on the useful life of their products.

JSP recommends a maximum shelf life of five years for an unused helmet that has been stored in good conditions. This means avoiding exposure to extreme temperatures, moisture, or direct sunlight.

Working life (In use):
Estimating the in-use lifespan of head protection is more complex. In real-world scenarios, helmets are often:

• Dropped or thrown onto the ground
• Used to carry or store other items
• Left on rear vehicle shelves, exposing them to sunlight and heat

Due to this often rough treatment, JSP’s experience suggests a typical working life of 6 months to 2 years in such conditions.

However, if a helmet is looked after properly and stored correctly when not in use, JSP would consider a working life of up to five years to be reasonable.

All JSP head protection products are marked with their date of manufacture. JSP does not recommend any helmet being in daily use more than ten years after its manufacture date, regardless of how well it has been treated.

Example:
A helmet manufactured in December 2015 and delivered in January 2016:

• If stored until December 2020 in proper conditions, it can be used until December 2025.
• If first used in February 2016, it should be replaced by February 2021.

Key points:

• There is no standardised test for helmet shelf life in ANSI or EN standards.
• JSP recommends a shelf life of up to 5 years in suitable storage conditions.
• Helmets used regularly should ideally be replaced between 6 months and 2 years, depending on use.
• With careful use and good storage, helmets may be used for up to 5 years.
• No JSP helmet should be in use more than 10 years after its manufacture date.

If you need further support, please contact our Technical Support Team using the email: technical@jspsafety.com or contact us via our WhatsApp.