There are several aspects of a sandblasting helmet to compare when searching for the best helmet. Fit is one area of concern when choosing a sandblasting helmet, however, there are many more aspects that can mean the difference between a safe helmet and an inadequate helmet. Options, such as ventilation systems, contribute to the best sandblasting helmet design that is safer than a common canvas helmet.
The purpose of a sandblasting helmet is to protect the wearer. This includes protection from flying debris and airborne contaminates as well. While the lowest quality sandblasting helmet can protect against flying objects, the best units can also protect against harmful airborne contaminates. Silicosis is a disease that can be contracted by breathing the dust of silica sand, the most common type of sandblasting media used worldwide. The best helmets will typically include an oxygen system that feeds fresh, filtered air to the wearer.
A wide eye piece is also a component of the best helmets. You can choose a helmet with the greatest amount of visual clearance when you are searching for the best helmet. This will not only allow you the best vision of the project, but the best overall vision of the entire job site to avoid injuring bystanders who might become trapped within your working area without knowing of the danger. Some sandblasting helmet manufacturers implement a fresh air circulation fan in the helmet's design. This allows fresh air to be circulated around the interior of the helmet, cooling off the wearer and preventing the helmet's glass shield from fogging.
You may want to choose a helmet that incorporates a hard hat into the helmet design. If you work primarily on construction sites, you will usually be required to wear a hard hat over your helmet anyway. In selecting the hard hat version of the helmet, you avoid having to wear another piece of equipment and you make sure you are always well protected while working. Some of the helmets also incorporate a pair of earphones inside of the helmet. This type of helmet can aid in cutting down much of the high-frequency noise that accompanies sandblasting and damages ears.
When attempting to choose the best sandblasting helmet, you will usually want to select a helmet with removable and replaceable eye protection. This can extend the life of the helmet by allowing the wearer to install new glass when the original becomes scratched and damaged. Replaceable head supports are also a sign of better quality helmets and might be the best choice, if available to you.
