MSA recently determined that white Topgard Protective Caps manufactured in January and February 2017 may not comply with the electrical insulation performance requirement as defined in the ANSI/ISEA Z89.1-2014 American National Standard for Industrial Head Protection.  The affected Topgard helmets with white shells were shipped from MSA between January 31, 2017 and March 8, 2017.  MSA is voluntarily replacing these helmets free of charge.

Additional testing on helmets from this time period indicated that the helmet shell may crack during the ANSI/ISEA specified top impact test.  Although complying with the ANSI force transmission requirement, affected helmets that crack will exceed the allowable electrical leakage during the ANSI/ISEA specified electrical resistance test.

Identifying Affected Helmets:

To identify affected helmets, make sure the helmet shell is white and a cap style, with a brim only in the front.  Also, check the label inside the helmet shell to confirm that it is a “Topgard” model as shown on the attached Safety Advisory.  Look for the shell mold date emblem on the underside of the helmet brim also depicted on the attached advisory.  If the shell was molded in January 2017 or February 2017, the helmet is affected and should be removed from service and replaced.  All other helmet models, colors, and shell mold dates are not affected.

Obtaining Replacement Helmets:

To obtain replacement Topgard Protective Caps, please complete the Return/Replacement Helmet Order Form on page three of the attached and email it to MSA Customer Service at the appropriate email address below.  If the affected helmets originally purchased included a customized logo, please provide the original logo order number and we will apply the logo to the replacement helmets.  Replacement helmets will be shipped to you and we will forward instructions for returning the affected Topgard Helmets.

If you have any questions regarding this Safety Advisory, please contact MSA Customer Service as follows:

• U.S., Canada, or U.S. Territories – 1-866-672-0005 or E-mail:  ProductSafetyNotices@MSAsafety.com.
• Outside the U.S., Canada, and U.S. Territories – 724-776-8626 or E-mail:  LAMZonecs@MSAsafety.com.

We apologize for any inconvenience that this situation may cause; however, your safety and continued satisfaction with our products is most important to us.

Best regards,

R. Anne Herman
Vice President, Global Operational Excellence and Chief Customer Officer

Safety Advisory - Topgard Protective Helmets