MSA is issuing this Safety Advisory to inform you that MSA has received field reports that some green colored MSA V-Gard Protective Caps are cracking.  The cracking occurs at the top of the cap, and is not caused by an impact to the cap.  MSA has confirmed that the cause of the cracking is limited to green colored, medium size MSA V-Gard Protective Caps and that corrections have been made to prevent recurrence.

MSA is advising all V-Gard Protective Cap customers to obtain replacements for any green colored, medium size MSA V-Gard Protective Caps that meet any of the following:

• Manufactured in April 2017 or May 2017 and sold outside the US and Canada with "ENSAMBLADO EN MEXICO" molded under the brim
• Manufactured in April 2017 or May 2017 and sold in the US or Canada with a logo or stripes
• Manufactured in September 2017 or October 2017 and sold both inside and outside the US and Canada with a label that says "PRODUCT OF U.S."

Remove from service, render unusable and dispose of green colored MSA V-Gard Protective Caps that meet any of the above criteria.

MSA V-Gard Protective Caps are to be inspected prior to and after each use in accordance with MSA's Type I Protective Helmet Instructions and labels. Immediately remove from service any hard hats with cracks or other damage.

MSA has investigated and determined that green colored, medium size MSA V-Gard Protective Caps that meet any of the following criteria are potentially affected:

• Manufactured in April 2017 or May 2017 and sold outside the U.S. and Canada with "ENSAMBLADO EN MEXICO" molded under the brim.
• Manufactured in April 2017 or May 2017 and sold in the U.S. or Canada with a logo or stripes.
• Manufactured in September 2017 or October 2017 and sold both inside and outside the U.S. and Canada with a label that says "PRODUCT OF U.S."

When a crack occurs in a cap, the dielectric, impact and penetration protection of the cap may be affected. 

Note that MSA's Type I Protective Helmet Instructions, which are shipped with each V-Gard Protective Cap, require that an inspection be performed before and after each use and that damaged shells be replaced.  See Figure 2 on the attached Safety Advisory.  The label on the V-Gard Protective Caps also requires replacement of any part showing wear or damage before using.

Although cracking of green colored MSA V-Gard Protective Caps would be identified during an inspection, MSA is proactively addressing the situation before potential cracking occurs.

Identifying and Addressing Affected MSA V-Gard Protective Caps:

1. Confirm that the cap is green in color and a cap style with a brim only in the front. See Figure 1*.
2. Review the label on your cap to confirm that it is a V-Gard. 
3. Confirm that the cap is a medium size.  The size is molded underneath the front brim.  See Figure 3*. 
4. Confirm that the hard hat was manufactured in April 2017, May 2017, September 2017 or October 2017.  The manufacturing date is molded into the helmet underneath the front brim.  See Figure 4*.
   • For caps manufactured in April 2017 or May 2017 and sold in the U.S. or Canada only, confirm that the cap was ordered with a logo or stripes.
   • For caps manufactured in April 2017 or May 2017 and sold outside the U.S., confirm that the cap has "ENSAMBLADO EN MEXICO" molded underneath the front brim. See Figure 5*.
   • For caps manufactured in September 2017 or October 2017, confirm that the label on the cap states "PRODUCT OF U.S." See Figure 6*.

*  Figures can be found on pages 3 and 4 of the attached Safety Advisory.

Replacing Affected MSA V-Gard Protective Caps:

MSA recognizes that this is an inconvenience and in and an effort to minimize any disruption, we pledge to take any replacement actions as expeditiously as possible.  If you are in possession of affected green colored MSA V-Gard Protective Caps, we will provide you with replacements free of charge.

To receive your replacements, complete the enclosed MSA V-Gard Protective Cap Replacement Form found on page 6 of the attached Safety Advisory and email it to Customer Service as indicated on the form.  If the affected caps were originally purchased with a customized logo, please provide the original logo order number and we will apply the logo to the replacement caps.  Replacement caps will be shipped to you.

MSA Customer Service Contact Information:

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

• U.S., Canada, or U.S. Territories - 1-866-672-0005 or email:  ProductSafetyNotices@MSAsafety.com.

• Outside the U.S., Canada, and U.S. Territories - 724-776-8626 or email:  LAMZonecs@MSAsafety.com.

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

Best regards,

Nate Andrulonis

Product Safety Manager