IN THE WORK HELMET AND BEYOND, MIPS SAFETY SYSTEM IS THE CHOICE THAT CAN SAVE LIVES BY PROVIDING ADEQUATE PROTECTION AGAINST BRAIN INJURY RESULTING FROM SEVERE IMPACT
The use of a standardised protective helmet at work is the ‘conditio sine qua non’ (condition without which not,) for preventing or reducing the occurrence of possible brain damage in the event of an accident. Current helmet legislation adequately addresses protection of the skull in the event of direct impacts during a fall, but omits protection against possible angled impacts, protection that is not measured in all current official testing standards. The realisation that rotational movement can cause high levels of strain on brain tissue, leading to injuries of varying degrees, has shaken the foundations of traditional helmet technology at MIPS, the world leader in helmet-based safety and protection of the human brain. The intuition of the company headquartered in Stockholm was simple: facilitating movement between two surfaces in a helmet could reduce rotational motion. Mips, an acronym for Multi-directional Impact Protection System, was created from this principle. It is a sliding plane system (of 10-15 mm) designed to rotate inside the helmet in all directions with the intention of slowing down and decreasing the amount of energy transferred to or from the skull and therefore limiting the risk and severity of brain injuries. The Mips safety system is modelled to mimic the cerebrospinal fluid – our natural protective system – which allows the brain to move inside the skull to help redirect the rotational forces acting on the head in the event of an oblique impact.
The head is the third most frequently injured body part in the workplace after the lower and upper extremities, and brain injuries were the cause of approximately 40% of fatal accidents in 2020. According to a study published in 2021 (Statistik – Arbeitsunfallgeschehen 2020 der DGUV, https://publikationen.dguv.de/widgets/pdf/download/article/4271), the most common causes of injury are uncoordinated movements (20 per cent), collision with a falling object from above (17 per cent), and falling from a great height (15 per cent). Choosing and wearing the most appropriate equipment in the workplace is therefore the only solution to reduce possible injuries. The integration of the Mips Safety System inside work helmets is a lightweight, comfortable solution, but above all so safe that it can save lives. To date, there are different Mips Safety System solutions to integrate with the numerous helmets (work&safety, cycling and mountain biking, motorcycling, horse-riding, winter activities) that the Swedish company supports through its collaboration with more than 150 brands worldwide in the various sectors. Here we take a look at some of them in the field of work.
PHEOS MIPS
The ultimate in protection for construction and industrial work. The new helmet with a sporty design was developed in cooperation with the German brand Uvex
The Pheos series safety helmet is characterised by its sporty design and maximum comfort thanks to the Uvex ventilation system and the extremely flexible 3D suspension harness. The product from the German safety and sports specialist group meets all the safety requirements: the durable and rigid shell can easily withstand side pressure thanks to the integration of the Mips Safety System. The helmet can be combined with all the functional accessories available: visor, goggles, noise-reducing headphones or headlamp, depending on the requirements at work.
ARES MIPS
A step forward for head safety when working at height. The innovative helmet with extra protection was developed in cooperation with the Italian Group Camp
Reducing the risk of head trauma and injury through construction features that give the helmet optimal functionality and comfort. This is the idea behind the Camp Ares Mips project, the innovative helmet with a robust shell made from a mixture of ABS and polycarbonate and an adjustable headband for a perfect fit. The helmet accommodates spaces for attaching headphones, the protective visor and the headlamp, indispensable accessories for certain tasks. The total absence of metal elements prevents any corrosion problems.