MSA H1 Arborist's Helmet

[Philbert]

I had the opportunity to evaluate a new MSA brimless safety helmet, outfitted with a mesh face shield, and hearing muffs, for forestry use.



It's easy to get confused with interchanged terms like 'hard hat' and 'helmet; and with similar styles of head protection being used for rock climbing, elevated work, search and rescue, recreational sports, etc.

This is an ANSIZ89.1-2014 / EN12492 certified helmet that can be used for many applications, with the right accessories. It is similar in appearance to some of the Petzl and KASK style helmets. The no-brim style, and chin straps, reduce tangling in branches, and falling off at elevation, although, these type of helmets appear popular with many ground workers as well.


I requested the face screen and ear muffs, as they are required by some of the groups I cut with, although, others may have different preferences.

https://us.msasafety.com/climbing-helmethttps://us.msasafety.com/Head-Protection/Hard-Hats/V-Gard®-H1-Safety-Helmet/p/000060003700001001
Philbert

 

[Philbert]

Helmet Types

A 'standard' 'forestry helmet' is typically a hard hat with a front brim. A lot of guys in the Pacific-Northwest prefer full brim helmets for protection against sun and rain. And, as noted, a brimless helmet is less likely to get tangled in branches, such as a climbing arborist faces.

All three of these styles are most commonly seen as Type I helmets, according to the current ANSI classifications, designed to protect against impact from above. Type II helmets also provide protection for impact from the sides; they are typically larger, with a full foam liner, similar to that used in many bicycle helmets.

Helmets can also be rated for electrical protection (any helmet with a vent automatically gets the lowest electrical rating), suitability for extremely hot or cold environments, etc. Then, rated accessories can be added for specific applications.





The vented helmet I received is rated as ANSI Type I, Class C, HT (high temperature) and LT (low temperature). In addition to the four point, ratchet suspension, it has rigid foam attached inside the top of the helmet shell. A space between the suspension and the foam, in addition to the vents, allows air flow to reduce heat build up.

Overall, the USA manufactured helmet feels very well made, solid, and professional.
My helmet weighs 18.3 ounces by itself.
Mesh face screen weighs 4.9 ounces*.
Ear muffs weigh 9.1 ounces*.
-Total Weight: 32.3 ounces, or a little over 2 pounds (*weights of different accessories will vary).

Philbert

 

[Philbert]

Complexity

It may sound funny to discuss complexity with a basic piece of PPE, but there is a lot going on with the pivoting, ratchet suspension, side and chin straps, etc. The helmet and suspension come pre-assembled, but the side and chin straps need to be adjusted to the user. It is not as intuitive as some basic helmets that I have worn.

Once adjusted, I learned to pull the back of the suspension band down, each time I put the helmet on, to 'seat' it on my head; then adjust the ratchet; and lastly fasten the chin strap.

The manual that accompanies the helmet is larger than those that I get for some chainsaws! 27 languages and 86 pages, plus manuals for the visors, ear muffs, etc. This is because MSA is marketing the helmet internationally, and has to translate the instructions for many countries: There are really only about 3 pages for each language, but it could be a fun thing to explore while quarantined!


Philbert

 

[Philbert]

Accessories

It is very easy to attach and remove the mesh visor. I like this, since I frequently do this for travel, to minimize damage to the visor / face screen when packed with other gear. It is not always easy to do this with some other forestry helmets.

Raising the visor causes the helmet to slide back slightly, even with the chin strap in place, due to the sweatband, which is attached along one edge only. I needed to hold one hand on top of the helmet while raising the visor, and was thinking about ways to better secure the sweatband.

Then I put the ear muffs on.

Once the ear muffs are installed, and in place, the helmet really feels 'bomb proof'. The helmet does not slide up when raising the visor. It no longer feels like it is sitting high on my head. Combined with the cradling suspension it feels integrated to my body, in a way that no 'standard' forestry helmet ever did. I hope that it does not make me feel capable of doing stupid things!



MSA also offers full and half clear face shields, and a variety of hearing protection options, for user preferences, or for using the helmet in different applications.

BTW, the designers integrated a clever little whistle into the chin strap buckle. Not a reason to buy this helmet, but a nice little touch to know about if you lose or forget your primary signaling device.


(Passes the sniff test!)

Philbert

 

[Bob Hedgecutter]

For ground work I will absolutely reach for a brimmed hard hat style- for the sun/rain reasons you mention above and also to space the mesh further from the eyes.
I find my eyes want to "jump" focus between the mesh and the work when wearing a brimless climbing style helmet. I have not tried a clear visor on a climbing helmet and this may well be the better avenue for myself- but for the amount of climbing I do nowadays- I can stick with the ones I own!

 

[Philbert]

I have not tried a clear visor on a climbing helmet . . .

I would be concerned with clear plastic scratching from branches, holding water droplets, fogging, reducing air flow, etc., if used for tree work. But I would definitely prefer it for grinding, and similar tasks.

Philbert

 

[Bob Hedgecutter]

I would be concerned with clear plastic scratching from branches, holding water droplets, fogging, reducing air flow, etc., if used for tree work. But I would definitely prefer it for grinding, and similar tasks.

Philbert

Na, the clear visors on climbing helmets are not just a flap of walmart plastic- they are coated, ground and toughened to negate all those fears (or at least the good ones should be!)
A good clear visor should be every bit as good as an expensive pair of safety glasses- scratch/marr resistant, coated for the like of sap to not stick well and be easily cleaned off and tough enough to deflect an incorrectly rigged limb swingback.
You are probably more likely to snag branches on the muff attachment points, or even poke the odd one though a mesh visor than a clear visor.

 

[Walkdog]

I would be concerned with clear plastic scratching from branches, holding water droplets, fogging, reducing air flow, etc., if used for tree work. But I would definitely prefer it for grinding, and similar tasks.

Philbert

I started climbing using a Kask super plasma with the clear face shield and MSAear defenders. All those concerns are valid, particularly the fogging and reduced air flow - to the point that the clear shield is almost unbearable for me in hot weather.
Switched to a Pfanner Protos, and can’t imagine anything on the market touching it, primarily because of the integration of the ear muffs. Superior balance & comfort, no more snagging on branches, and far better sound reduction than the MSA ear defenders. With the addition of the optional integrated glasses, you get the best of both worlds - superior coverage and air circulation of the mesh visor, as well as protection from fines that may make their way through the mesh, without any annoying/uncomfortable interplay between glasses and ear muffs.

 

[Walkdog]

Na, the clear visors on climbing helmets are not just a flap of walmart plastic- they are coated, ground and toughened to negate all those fears (or at least the good ones should be!)
A good clear visor should be every bit as good as an expensive pair of safety glasses- scratch/marr resistant, coated for the like of sap to not stick well and be easily cleaned off and tough enough to deflect an incorrectly rigged limb swingback.
You are probably more likely to snag branches on the muff attachment points, or even poke the odd one though a mesh visor than a clear visor.

I can only speak to the Kask visor - which was definitely not cheap- but mine has acquired some visually distracting scratches, and I find it noticeably quicker to attract debris to the point that my vision becomes impaired, and a proper cleaning is required.
I see your last points as completely valid, though the snagging only applies to conventional ear muff mounting designs and is almost completely alleviated by the Protos’s overlapping design.

 

[Philbert]

Update

Spent most of the day wearing the helmet yesterday (82°F and sunny) while testing some saws, etc. It's been too hot, humid, or rainy recently to just be standing outside for me, let alone doing much physical work. COVID restrictions have limited some other sawing opportunities.

While focused on my tasks, I actually forgot that I had the helmet on, except when I wondered why I could not hear something (e.g. the 'click' of my phone's camera), or when the sun hit the mesh screen 'just right' to create some veiling glare. It never got too hot or too clammy, although, the sweat band was noticeably saturated when I removed the helmet. It never felt top heavy' when leaning forward - again, the hearing muffs really help hold the helmet solid to my head.

Overall, very pleased with it's performance. I have not compared this model directly with the Petzl or KASK helmets, but I have no problems recommending it for arborist / forestry use.

Philbert