European Standard · Head Protection
EN 812 – Industrial Bump Caps: Limited Impact Head Protection
EN 812 is the European standard specifying requirements for industrial bump caps, lightweight head protection designed to protect against minor bumps and grazes from fixed or protruding objects, offering considerably less protection than a full safety helmet under EN 397.
1. Scope
EN 812 applies to bump caps intended for environments with low head injury risk from bumping into fixed structures, not for protection against falling objects or significant impact energy, which require a full industrial safety helmet.
2. Exclusions & Related Standards
- Offers significantly less protection than EN 397 industrial safety helmets and should never be substituted where a full helmet is required.
- Often used in warehousing, food processing and low-clearance environments where bump risk exists but falling object risk does not.
- Does not protect against penetration or heavy impact from falling objects.
3. Key Requirements & Marking
Bump caps must meet basic shock absorption requirements against low-energy impacts, along with requirements for shell penetration resistance appropriate to minor bump hazards, flammability, and harness/retention system performance. Markings include the EN number, manufacturer, size range and manufacture date.
4. Testing Overview
Testing includes a low-energy impact absorption test measuring transmitted force to a headform, an optional penetration resistance test, and retention system strength testing, all calibrated to much lower impact energies than EN 397 safety helmets.
5. Selection Guide
Bump caps are appropriate only where the identified hazard is limited to bumping against fixed low-clearance structures, such as in warehouses, plant rooms, or food processing facilities; wherever there is any risk of falling or flying objects, a full safety helmet meeting EN 397 must be used instead.
6. Inspection, Care and Maintenance
- Inspect the shell for cracks or deformation regularly
- Replace immediately after any significant impact, even without visible damage
- Follow manufacturer guidance on maximum service life, as plastic shells degrade with UV exposure over time
- Never modify the shell with unauthorized holes or attachments
7. Frequently Asked Questions
Can a bump cap replace a safety helmet?
No, bump caps under EN 812 offer far less protection than safety helmets under EN 397 and must never be used where there is a risk of falling objects or significant impact.
What is a bump cap used for?
Bump caps protect against minor bumps and grazes from fixed, low-clearance structures, common in warehouses, plant rooms and food processing environments.
Do bump caps protect against falling objects?
No, they are not designed or tested for falling object protection; a full industrial safety helmet meeting EN 397 is required for that hazard.
How is a bump cap different from a normal cap or hat?
Bump caps include a rigid or semi-rigid protective shell inside the fabric covering that provides basic impact absorption, unlike ordinary soft caps or hats.
When should I upgrade from a bump cap to a full safety helmet?
Whenever a risk assessment identifies potential falling, flying or swinging object hazards, or any risk of significant impact energy, a full EN 397 safety helmet should be used instead.