Start with the standard: EN 397 helmets cover shock absorption, penetration and chin-strap anchorage. For electrical work, confirm the 440Vac optional test. For forestry or side-impact risk, consider EN 12492 mountaineering-style helmets.
Fit matters more than most buyers think. Ratchet suspensions adjust one-handed and fit 53–63cm heads; budget pin-lock shells slip and end up unworn. Full-brim shells shed sun and rain — popular with road crews — while cap-style shells suit scaffolders working under steel.
Replace any helmet after a significant impact, and retire shells after ~5 years (check the moulded date dial). Store out of direct sun: UV degrades HDPE faster on Kenyan sites than in temperate climates.
