CEO: Stuart Sawyer Editor in Chief: Blanche Maass Editorial Board: Imogen Naylor-Higgs, Rodney Taylor, Mostyn Thomas, Bill VanMullekom Content: Andrew Shields, Look Up Communications Art Director: Alexander Phillips

Contributors: Stuart Sawyer Vincent Borbone, 3M Vasilios Brachos, 3M Jill Clements, ISEA Rene Gaemers, Batavae Training & Consultancy CEO Terry Griffith, 3M contents David Jackson, D3O Head trauma in the modern battlefield Seth Jones When I was starting out in business, like in sports protection with the likes of NHL of the challenges we face, we never settle or Mike Juels, Gamebreaker impact explores the importance of lightweight protection and comfort for defense Thomas Lavalle, 3M 4 many entrepreneurs I was guilty of trying star Seth Jones and biking guru Troy Lee think something is finished. For example: when Troy Lee, Troy Lee Designs and law enforcement personnel to do too much. Some of the best advice is influencing how we protect workers in will back-of-hand impact protection ever be Chris Meadows, D3O Mary Mikolajewski, ASTM International I ever received was from an old family the PPE sector. thin or dexterous enough? How do we make Brian Naillon, Government Training Institute Troy Story friend who said: “The day you stop hop- We have materials, products and process- life and performance better for those we Rodney Taylor, D3O ® Simon van Lammeren, XION 8 With the Troy Lee Designs team now also D3O ambassadors, meet the man behind ping from one foot to the other is the day es that can do many things, but we can’t do protect? When does protection translate into Bill VanMullekom, D3O the name you start to move forward.” everything. Nor should we try. That is why we are the inner confidence needed to achieve the Craig Wallentine, ISEA I will never forget that phrase because it focused. That way, when we say we’re going to impossible? When does our ingenuity and This document is published by D3O. THE BIG ISSUE captures the challenge we face every day do something, we are confident we will do it well. inspiration become our user’s advantage? at D3O. We have such a unique technology, This is part of what we call the ‘D3O To achieve these goals, we are always It is printed in compliance with ISO A special report into how standards help to regulate North America’s PPE industry – 14001.2004 for an environmental 11 providing so many benefits across a number difference’. We can measure this difference willing to challenge ourselves. This is a mindset management system. and how they help health and safety managers keep workers free from harm of sectors, that we have to constantly ask our- in a number of ways; we can demonstrate it I have learned not only through business but D3O is a fast growth design and selves where we think we can make the most through testing protocols for our technology also through sport – first as a professional wind- INTRODUCING D3O® IMPACT ADDITIVETM technology company that makes difference, whether in an industry or a product and materials. This difference is also in the surfer, more recently skippering an 11-strong high performance impact protection An insight into the pioneering ingredient that’s revolutionizing back of hand protection products. 17 category. Then we pose two crucial questions: attitude and ethos that runs through the entire crew on a 40-foot racing boat, Black Dog. does the market want that difference, and can company. I remember being in a meeting Earlier this year we won the prestigious Royal D3O® is a registered trademark of Design Blue Limited. the end-user really benefit from it? If we are about a particular brief that appeared to Ocean Racing Club's IRC National Champi- Protect And Serve unsure of the answers, our response may be to be impossible. But our principal product onship overall. We were far from the favorites © 2019 Design Blue Limited. Innovations in law enforcment PPE are driving new approaches to 19 say ‘no’, or ‘yes, but not now’. developer said: “We can do this” – and he in the press leading up to the event, but it was crowd management All rights reserved. As you will read in this issue of Impact, was right. It was his belief in our materials, our acute focus, determination and, above together with our partners we are breaking designs and processes, combined with our all, our ability to work and operate as a team How To Keep Your Kids Safe on the Pitch new ground in personal protective equip- ingenuity, that did it. This way of working that allowed us to pull off the extraordinary. 21 Gamebreaker’s Mike Juels examines the role of protective headgear in reducing ment across the industrial, defense and law and thinking is the ‘D3O difference’. Everyone knew what they were doing, concussion injuries in team sports – plus top tips for helmet buyers enforcement sectors. We are translating We recruit people who really understand the both individually and how and where they our expertise in brain trauma in the defense sectors we operate in. They are experts and we fitted in as a part of the overall team. We all CASE FOR THE DEFENSE industry into pioneering work to reduce know they will have a vast and deep understand- pulled together to win. I’m proud to say the 25 The kit that keeps NHL star and new D3O® Ambassador Seth Jones protected on the ice head injuries in team sports. And our work ing of how to solve protection problems. In many same of our team at D3O.

2 www.d3o.com impact magazine 3 INSIGHT DEFENSE HEAD TRAUMA

From Special Operations Forces under All these threats have the potential to operator may encounter multiple ‘safe’ blast fire to SWAT teams responding to an cause traumatic brain injury (TBI), which events, giving a cumulative negative effect. incident on the street, the operator results from an impact, penetration or rapid ‘Breacher’s brain’, as the condition is known, must have complete confidence in their movement of the brain inside the skull, can lead to symptoms similar to concussion personal protective equipment (PPE). disrupting its normal function. TBI can be including headaches, dizziness, fatigue, A moment’s hesitation in response the consequence of a direct bump or blow memory problems and sleep disturbance. caused by an an issue with their PPE to the head, or a non-impact force such as a Research by the National Center for could jeopardize an entire mission or blast wave causing the head to jolt violently. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) result in personal injury. PPE must be For law enforcement officers, the shows that the primary cause of TBI in vet- rugged and reliable, should use the principal causes of TBI are falls, vehi- erans of Iraq and Afghanistan was a blast, most advanced technology available, cle crashes and blows to the head from followed by a combination of a blast plus protect the end-user from poten- foreign objects. Among service personnel, a motor vehicle accident3. Blast exposure tial threats, and be as comfortable, analysis by doctors at the Walter Reed can accelerate brain ageing, leading to mobile and lightweight as possible. Army Institute of Research1 found that long-term conditions that affect quality of life An integral feature of an operator’s 60 percent of those wounded in Iraq or and job performance, as well as increas- PPE set-up is the ballistic helmet. During Afghanistan by an explosion, a vehicle ing the risk of early-onset Alzheimer’s the early 20th century, helmets were little accident or fall, or a gunshot wound to the and other neurological disorders. more than upturned metal dishes with face, neck or head, suffered TBI. More a thin layer of web strapping: cumber- than 380,000 active duty military personnel Reducing the End-User Burden some, heavy – some weighing more than sustained a TBI between 2000 and 20172. The defense and law enforcement sector 3.5lbs – and uncomfortable. However, a poses unique challenges, according to rapid increase in the mass and velocity The Causes And Consequenes of TBI Thomas Lavalle, 3M’s Global Vertical of ballistic threats such as bullets and Most cases of TBI are mild concussions Marketing Manager for Defense, Public shrapnel led to higher casualty rates causing a momentary loss of consciousness. Safety and Health Care: “We have to during World War II and brought greater More severe cases involve a period understand the mindset of end-users, focus on the role of head protection. of unconsciousness or amnesia. whose priorities are to complete the The signs and symptoms of mild TBI Understanding Modern-Day Threats include headaches, blurred vision, dizziness, The threats faced by modern-day nausea, fatigue, sleep impairment, problems "Ounces equal pounds, and defense and law enforcement officers fall with speech, mood changes and anxiety. pounds equal pain, Hence into three categories: Moderate to severe TBI can manifest itself through any of these, as well as the critical need to drive • Ballistic impact from artillery, small more complex symptoms that may appear weight out of every element arms fire, mines, mortars and impro- hours, days or even weeks after a head vised explosive devices. Consequences injury: dilation of one or both pupils, loss of of the helmet shell design" include penetrating wounds and coordination, numbness in fingers and toes, behind-armor blunt trauma. slurred speech, profound confusion, con- Bill VanMullekom, D3O vulsions or seizures, and a state of agitation HEAD TRAUMA • Blunt impact from falls, vehicle and aggression. In some cases, moderate mission, then be sure the personnel in crashes, parachute drops and impacts to severe TBI can lead to longer-lasting their team are safe, then get themselves with solid objects and the ground. physical, cognitive or emotional trauma. home safe last. This approach begs a Consequences include closed and Military service members and law vital question: what does safety mean open head injuries, skull fractures, enforcement personnel are often exposed to the individual? It’s not simply what hematomas and brain contusions. to blasts in training and operations, includ- they’re wearing – it’s their knowledge ing the shockwaves that follow a blast that what they’re wearing will equip them Defense and law enforcement personnel must be prepared for any • Blasts from bombs, artillery and such as during an explosive forced entry. to perform their operations as efficiently improvised explosive devices. Blast shockwaves create a sharp increase as possible. In summary, to deliver situation. Impact explores how lightweight, comfortable personal Consequences include brain trauma, in pressure moving through the brain, lethality, mobility and survivability.” hematomas, contusions and diffuse damaging cells, compromising blood The core components of a helmet are axonal injury, a tearing of the brain’s vessels and causing brain inflammation. an external hard shell, an internal liner and protective equipment helps keep operators focused on the mission long connecting nerve fibers when the The accepted ‘safe’ blast pressure threshold suspension system to achieve a customized brain shifts and rotates inside the skull. is 4 pound-force per square inch (psi), fit and minimize acceleration and decel- with reduced risk of traumatic brain injury used to determine stand-off distance, but an eration of the head, internal padding to

4 www.d3o.com 1 ‘About Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Brain Injury in Iraq’s War Veterans’, http://tiny.cc/9c4p9y impact magazine 5 2 ‘Number of Service Members Diagnosed with Traumatic Brain Injury’, http://tiny.cc/ki4p9y 3 Cited in ‘Combat-Related Traumatic Brain Injury and PTSD: A Resource and Recovery Guide’, Cheryl Lawhorne-Scott and Don Philpott, Government Institutes, 2010 INSIGHT DEFENSE HEAD TRAUMA

provide impact protection and comfort, with modern-day threats. Features include that there is no blunt-impact protection and a retention device such as a chinstrap. full head, face and jaw protection; passive requirement in the ballistic standard, Some include external rail sections to hearing protection against explosions, and no ballistic requirement in the riot mount accessories. A helmet’s fundamen- gunshots and flashbangs; and improved standard. This presents a challenge to the tal purpose is to reduce the risk of head blunt-impact performance. The modular communities who are identifying threats injury by preventing penetration from a (both existing and that could emerge) ballistic impact, and to absorb energy "Serving officers trust that and correlating them to the industry from a blunt-impact or blast event. standards. Driving this insight into Brandon, an instructor with combat their PPE will do what it is industry helps the procurement teams to immersion training provider ArmorCorps and designed to do, every time, understand the end-user’s environment in a former U.S. Marine, has first-hand experi- order to develop their requirements and ence to support that view: “Moving into the without failure" make informed decisions. We are then back of a troop carrier, my body inverted able to push the technology envelope and I landed with all that weight on the top David Jackson, D3O on design and manufacturing, and work of my head. Were it not for my helmet, my with our industry partners, such as D3O, injuries would have been a lot worse.”4 design allows for the up-armor capability of to explore enhanced impact protection.” “Serving officers trust that their PPE will a ballistic applique, a ballistic visor and bal- “We have learned that legacy impact do what it is designed to do, every time, listic mandible guard to enable the solider liners and pads cannot keep up with without failure,” says David Jackson, U.S. to scale protection to the threat or mission6. evolving threats,” adds David Jackson of Defense Program Manager at D3O, who “Considering the current global envi- D3O. “As we move from the requirement for has more than 25 years of defense expe- ronment, there is tremendous interest in a helmet to resist an object with an impact rience including eight years in the USMC procuring improved head protection," says speed of 10 feet per second to 14 feet per Infantry and seven years with SWAT K9. Terry Griffith, Defense and Law Enforcement second and beyond, it’s vital that the helmet The average U.S. military warfighter Global Business Unit Manager with 3M shell and suspension pads work together. carries at least 60lbs of gear, with Advanced Materials Division. "Ceradyne In addition, the geometry and mass of an extended patrol often double that Inc., a 3M company, has proven expertise a helmet’s accoutrements can affect its figure. Every component and acces- in providing innovative, lightweight head blunt-impact protection and comfort. sory increases the total weight, which is protection systems that keep the users “D3O has the proven capability to adapt particularly felt when added to the helmet. safe from a variety of threats including products to end-user needs so they can “A common adage is that ounces equal explosive devices and rifle bullets.” wear this equipment without sacrificing pounds, and pounds equal pain,” says Bill Drawing on this expertise, the U.S. Army blunt-impact protection,” Jackson continues. operate in more urban warfare envi- INNOVATION TO CREATE EFFICIENCY Specialist at 3M, “the fundamental VanMullekom, Executive Vice President awarded Ceradyne a contract to deliver “Our system delivers reduced trans- ronments we have seen a share of The last ten years have seen huge requirement probably will never change: of D3O, LLC, who leads the defense and the Integrated Head Protection System mitted forces overall, a reduction in the common tactics and approaches leaps forward in head protection for the most protection at the lowest weight. industrial PPE sectors for D3O. “Extra (IHPS). “The IHPS is the first helmet system inertial mass of the helmet to minimize head in domestic law enforcement. law enforcement and military appli- By constantly reviewing every step of weight is a burden for a soldier or law to offer the soldier a much higher level of acceleration, and quicker recovery times Equipment has been part of that.” cations. This technological advance- the manufacturing process, every raw enforcement officer. They must execute protection against blunt impacts without to maintain protection between a first and “As well as delivering on ballistic ment is unlikely to slow down. material that goes into the product, and the mission without being distracted by sacrificing the highest level of ballistic second impact. The unique application of performance,” adds Vasilios Brachos New materials, geometries and keeping our focus on design optimization, their own comfort level and fatigue. Their protection to weight,” says Griffith. D3O® allows us to evolve and develop these of 3M, “the interoperability require- optimized design will continue to drive we can achieve that goal of increased helmet will likely need to accommodate aspects while optimizing protection in our ments of the modern military helmet, innovation. These innovations, coupled performance over weight. It’s fair to say accessories including night vision devices RESPONDING TO EVOLVING THREATS partners’ helmet designs and geometry. where it interfaces with a range of with enhanced manufacturing equipment that we scrutinize every component and and communications packages. Hence “Our approach is to work with customers “For the end-user, D3O gives the peace other devices, has a direct crossover and methodologies, will bring perfor- count every ounce in order to achieve the critical need to drive weight out of and end-users to understand the threats of mind of knowing that what we make to law enforcement. There’s a con- mance gains in head protection. “We those four key aims: lethality, mobil- every element of the helmet shell design.” and risks they face, and the standards far exceeds the specification so service stant flowdown of core technology.” have found ways to lay the pads in the ity, survivability and sustainability.” In late 2016, the U.S. Army started and specifications we are required to personnel can focus on the task at hand, In the same way that bulletproof vests helmet to increase the number of con- “We have many, many different vari- early field trials on a new helmet to meet achieve,” says Vasilios Brachos, Senior enhancing survivability and enabling the have become a key component of PPE for law tact points with the head, thus maximiz- ables creating little tiny stresses on us the requirements of its Soldier Protection Defense Product Development Manager successful completion of the mission.” enforcement officers, ballistic helmets devel- ing comfort,” Bill VanMullekom of D3O as operators,” concludes former U.S. System (SPS) Integrated Helmet at 3M. These include the National Institute oped with attention to weight, ergonomics, explains. “In future, instead of a number Marine, Brandon. “Many of those stresses Protection System (IHPS). This helmet of Justice voluntary equipment perfor- THE CHALLANGES OF LAW ENFORCEMENT modularity, comfort and the appropriate level of separate pads, what about a modu- tend to come from helmets. Everything gives soldiers best-in-class protection, mance standards, of which three are “More and more law enforcement of protection should follow. Indeed, advanced, lar impact protection system that slips we can do to lower those stresses – to while also reducing the total weight of for helmets: ballistic, riot and crash (the officers are now wearing head protec- fit-for-purpose headgear could be the into a helmet shell? Or sub-components make our equipment slightly more com- their personal protective equipment5. last relating to motorcycle helmets). tion similar to that worn by the mili- difference between a police officer address- integrated around a suspension system?” fortable, slightly lighter, one less thing The aim of the IHPS is to provide a As 3M’s Thomas Lavalle explains: tary,” explains 3M’s Thomas Lavalle. ing the threat posed by an armed assailant or “In terms of future innovation,” says we have to worry about – at the end of lighter ballistic helmet capable of dealing “These standards specifically state “As U.S. Special Forces began to becoming another casualty themselves. Vincent Borbone, Product Development the day it makes us more efficient.”7

6 www.d3o.com 4 Quoted in video ‘3M Tactical Light Weight Ballistic Helmets’, http://tiny.cc/rj4p9y 7 Quoted in video ‘3M Tactical Light Weight Ballistic Helmets’, see previous reference impact magazine 7 5 'Soldier Protection System', U.S. Army Acquisition Support Center, http://tiny.cc/nk4p9y 6 Cited in ‘Army Could Field Motorcycle-Style, Ballistic Helmet by 2020’, http://tiny.cc/el4p9y INTERVIEW TROY LEE DESIGNS STORY

® The Troy Lee Family Innovation For Everyone WITH THE TROY LEE DESIGNS TEAM NOW OFFICIALLY D3O AMBASSADORS, MEET THE He founded Troy Lee Designs (TLD) in dreams through my art and helping my Troy knows very well the risks of the sports 1981, gradually adding lines of motocross athletes reach their full potential.” he’s involved in: “When I started we didn’t MAN HIMSELF – ARTIST, RIDER AND EPONYMOUS FOUNDER OF THE ACTION SPORTS and mountain bike helmets, apparel and With the development of the TLD team wear too much protection. My mom made my protective gear alongside the custom- comes an inevitable responsibility for first leathers and we wore open face helmets. ization business. Since 2001, when he athlete welfare: “Some of the stuff they’re I’ve got a few screws in my body… APPAREL AND CUSTOM PAINT COMPANY formed a motocross race team (featuring doing these days is just flat crazy! I have “In the past, we used to grab protection himself), Troy has built up a roster num- to watch them in slow motion so I can off the shelf with no real idea how it It’s entirely fitting that when Troy Lee event,” he recalls. “My dad was a motorcycle side when he became a professional bering more than 200 professional and understand the tricks! Backflips, twists, performed. But as the bikes continue dials in to talk to Impact magazine, he’s racer around Southern California. I grew up motorcycle rider at 18, “but whenever I amateur moto and bike athletes. corkscrews, there’s a new name every to improve and the athletes keep going got two wheels beneath him. “I’m out in that environment. This is what I’ve always got injured I’d start painting again”. “I hope it’s a thrill for a young rider few months. This is why it’s hard running faster, we have to make sure they’re riding with my son,” he says down the loved doing and these are the people I Troy realized the commercial potential of his to get a personalized TLD helmet,” he a race team. You put a lot of pressure on safe and feeling great at the same time. line from Corona, California. “We’ve just want to hang out with. I’ll be racing with my artistic skill and decided to devote himself muses,“but it’s just as much a thrill for yourself to keep the athletes safe. By addressing the demands of profes- pulled over into the shade to speak.” 19-year-old son at the weekend.” to it full-time – though it took a domestic me because I get to work with such “They are precious, they’re not a dime sional racers our business can deliver Bikes and motorcycles have been at Troy’s forefathers were also ‘pinstripers’, incident to get him started: “The story goes great athletes." a dozen. And you want them to stay at innovation for everyone. the heart of Troy’s life since childhood. exponents of the fine decorative style used that my mom kicked me out of the house Each helmet is a unique expression the top for as long as they can. They’re “Fact is, with this number of athletes, Now in his late 50s, his enthusiasm for ev- to customize motorbikes and helmets. He when I started using her oven to customize of the designer and the athlete: “During going to keep pushing the limits of barely a week goes by without one of them erything on two and four wheels shows no inherited their talent, and while barely helmet visors and left the place smelling of the hour or so we sit together designing performance so it’s vital that they’re getting hurt. Almost all of them would prefer sign of waning: “My grandad co-founded into his teens was painting and lettering burnt plastic,” he laughs. “Actually it was my their helmet, I learn so much about their protected. That’s why we partnered to wear nothing, they’d pretty much race the Bonneville Speed Trials, which is still for his dad’s racing friends and rivals. stepdad – though it made me realize it was life. I never made it to the level some of with D3O, we really believe they’re a naked, but often it takes an accident for them the premier motorcycle land speed racing He vowed to leave the brushes to one time to make my way in life anyway.” these guys are at but I get to fulfil my leader in safety.” to realize the full benefit of protection.

8 www.d3o.com impact magazine 9 INTERVIEW THE BIG ISSUE TROY LEE DESIGNS PPE STANDARDS

the big issue KEEPING WORKERS SAFE ON SITE An overview of North America's PPE standards for health and "D3O allows safety managers me to focus on the art – they take care of the protection"

“As we develop better products utilizing put a little more protection on your body. crafting a stunning helmet design. D3O® technology, they begin to see how Then when I get to paint their helmet it’s “My business card still reads ‘Sign it’s possible to put a knee guard on, for the icing on the cake.” painter’,” he reflects. “It’s my roots. That’s Standards help to regulate North America’s billion-dollar PPE industry. How are example, then crash and still walk away. The Troy’s life never stands still. If he’s what I was doing this morning. It’s where orange speck on the gear tells them they’re not equipping and advising elite bike I began, and what I always go back to. protected. The confidence that comes from and motorcycle riders, he’s protecting D3O allows me to focus on the art – they they developed, implemented and communicated? And how do they support having D3O® protection can be the differ- stunt performers rolling cars, jumping off take care of the protection. ence that gets them over the line first.” motorbikes or, in the case of Eddie Braun, “It’s kinda funny how I’ve got to mix art health and safety managers tasked with keeping their teams free from harm? Nor is Troy ever short of sugges- powering a rocket across the Grand Canyon and movies and stunt guys and racers,” tions for fresh talent to add to the roster: in the Evel Knievel tribute film ‘Stuntman’. he says. “It’s amazing too because I get “The team tell me about the fastest new When he’s not immersed in these to follow all my dreams. I’m a little all kids across motor racing, bikes, IndyCar, high-adrenalin worlds, though, you’ll find over the place but that’s what makes my NASCAR. They say Troy can help you out, him back at the TLD Studios, carefully life so worth living.”

10 www.d3o.com impact magazine 11 THE BIG ISSUE PPE STANDARDS

“Our business is the health and safety of oped by interested parties with knowledge “There are so many vendors offering PPE manufacturers, distributors and safety rules. OSHA requires that workers and first responders,” says Craig of a product or process and an under- different gloves,” says Ron Hope, Value and test laboratories. It is also a many categories of PPE meet the Wallentine, Board Vice Chairman of the standing of how to establish common per- Safety Manager for Luck Companies, leader in the development of safety standards approved by ANSI, but International Safety Equipment Associa- formance characteristics and guidelines. which includes Luck Stone, the U.S.’s larg- equipment standards which are OSHA does not specify how products tion (ISEA). “Standards are a vital tool to Although a voluntary compliance frame- est family-owned operator and producer of approved by the American National are certified. Indeed, OSHA’s role is help us achieve this. At every stage of the work places responsibility on health and construction aggregates. “And the cost is Standards Institute (ANSI). not to certify or approve any product. value chain, standards support compli- safety managers to provide appropriate not standard either; it varies a lot depend- • The National Institute for ance to keep workers free from harm.” PPE for their workers, Wallentine believes ing on what you are looking for. A stan- "Standards equip health and Occupational Safety and Health ISEA defines a standard as ‘a doc- this approach also helps to produce dard, as a recommendation at least, with (NIOSH) is a division of the Center for ument, established by consensus and standards that are meaningful to those defined performance levels, will help when safety managers to make Disease Control and Prevention which approved by a recognized body, that pro- end-users: “We are now seeing standards trying to decide which glove is appropriate researches and publishes worker informed choices about the right vides rules, guidelines or characteristics for that are not top-down or academically for each task.” safety recommendations. a product for common and repeated use’1. driven. They are being developed in In addition, as Jill Clements, Chair of product for the job, verifying “Standards enable manufacturers to response to an issue, by a consor- the ISEA Hand Protection Product Group, In summary, at Federal level NIOSH determine the performance requirements tium of manufacturers, consultants, notes, “some health and safety managers that a product is suitable for its promotes the scientific field of for protective products they design and the end-users, academics and others with a take the fact of a new standard or revision intended purpose" occupational safety through research procedures to test them,” adds Wallentine. professional interest, working together very seriously indeed when specifying and education while OSHA creates “They also make life easier for end-users,” to advance the level of protection and PPE, while for others it’s more about RODNEY TAYLOR, D3O and enforces regulations. says Rodney Taylor, Global PPE Sales & best practice for a population at risk.” compliance. Some want to understand in • ASTM Marketing Manager at impact protection As a result, health and safety spec- detail how the products they are procuring International, which DEVELOPING STANDARDS specialist D3O. “They equip health ifiers are free to choose from a range for their employees conform to a particular develops and publishes and safety managers to make of products competing on factors standard, while others just want the prod- more than 12,000 consensus THROUGH COLLABORATION informed choices about including design, durability, comfort uct to be sufficient to protect their workers technical standards for a wide Standards exist to help protect workers in the right product and cost – but not on key performance at the least available cost.” range of materials, products, hazardous environments and support those for the job, characteristics. ISEA’s aspiration is for To add a further level of complexity, systems and services. responsible for purchasing PPE to keep more end-users to benchmark their there is something of an ‘alphabet soup’ of • The National Fire Protection workers safe. “Without the reliability of a procurement against a PPE standard, bodies representing, monitoring and over- Association (NFPA), which standard,” says Rodney Taylor of D3O, “health specifying minimum performance seeing PPE standards. According to Chris develops and publishes more and safety managers and buyers run the risk verifying that a levels for each protective item across Meadows, D3O Technical Sales Manager, than 300 consensus codes and of under-specifying PPE, leaving workers at product is suit- every application on their job sites. Chair of the ISEA Hand Protection Commit- standards to minimize the possibility greater risk of injury, or of over-specifying, able for its intended tee and a member of ASTM International and effects of fire and other risks. which can incur unnecessary expense.” purpose by establishing a committees, “there are some 600 different NFPA codes and standards are Data from the International Association baseline level of performance.” NAVIGATING THE PPE LANDSCAPE standards development organizations, administered by more than 250 of Drilling Contractors3 shows that in 2016, “We are thrilled to have a According to a report2 published including trade associations, most oper- volunteer-run Technical Committees. injuries to fingers accounted for a third of wide array of stakeholders on in March 2019 by Allied Market ating in specialist areas but each with a all total recordable injuries and almost 20 our committees to help ensure Research, the North America PPE different approach to how they develop WHO APPROVES STANDARDS? percent of lost time injuries. Meanwhile high-quality, market-relevant, gloves market was valued at $2.4 standards. Around 200 produce standards • ANSI has an overarching role to the hand and wrists accounted for around voluntary standards,” adds billion in 2017 and is estimated that are accredited by the American Na- coordinate the activities of the 11 percent and 10 percent respective- Mary Mikolajewski, Manager of to reach $3.75 billion by 2025. tional Standards Institute (ANSI).” organizations in the U.S. that develop ly. Given these statistics, a significant Technical Committee Operations This increasing level of invest- Even the best-intentioned health standards. ANSI doesn’t write standards number of PPE standards relate to hand for ASTM International (formerly ment (and associated marketing and safety manager can sometimes be itself or approve products; it approves protection. Two are particularly relevant to the American Society for Testing activity) from a growing number of excused for struggling to navigate this the processes used to create the industrial health and safety managers: and Materials), which develops PPE manufacturers and distributors acronym-packed PPE landscape: standards and approves the final results ANSI/ISEA 138, the American na- and publishes more than 12,000 means health and safety managers as American National Standards. tional standard for performance and consensus technical standards. face a challenge to stay up to date – WHO DEVELOPS THE STANDARDS? classification for impact resistant A key word here is ‘consensus’. not only with a plethora of innovative Among the many organizations WHO PROVIDES OVERSIGHT? hand protection, published in March In some parts of the world, mandato- new products, each making bold and developing standards are: • The Occupational Safety and Health 2019, is an excellent example of the col- ry testing and certification is the norm. sometimes unsubstantiated claims, but • The International Safety Equipment Administration (OSHA) is an office laborative approach to standards devel- In the U.S., the most common type of with the new and revised standards that Association (ISEA), founded in 1933, within the Department of Labor which opment referenced by Craig Wallentine. standard is the voluntary standard, devel- regulate a particular sector. a trade association representing sets and enforces workplace health Standards for industrial gloves

1 'What is a standard?', ISEA, http://tiny.cc/hqcnaz 2 North America & Europe Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Distribution Market Analysis by Product, By End-use, And Segment Forecasts, 2018-2025 12 www.d3o.com 3 PPE Gloves Market by Material, Product type and Application: North America Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2018-2025 impact magazine 13 THE BIG ISSUE PPE STANDARDS

that protect against cuts, punctures, “Before ANSI/ISEA 138,” recalls Jill avoidance. We hope we never have to use abrasion and chemical exposure had Clements, “we had gloves with bumper RESPONDING TO MULTI- MAKING THE CASE FOR it, but it’s there for a good reason. And existed in the U.S. for many years, but no guards which some manufacturers THREAT ENVIRONMENTS SUPERIOR PROTECTION the return on an increased investment means existed to assess the performance referred to as impact protection. When ANSI/ISEA 105-2016 is an example of Compliance to a standard does not nec- in PPE – meaning a reduction in injuries of PPE designed to protect against tested, they were found to offer protec- a standard supporting more effective essarily equal complete protection for a and insurance claims – has to be mea- back-of-hand impact injuries. The desire tion against nothing more substantial worker protection in a multi-threat worker. “Data from testing certainly helps sured over a longer period of time.” for an impact protection standard gained than a knock. There’s a place for these environment. “Although 105 is known a manufacturer design new products,” momentum with the inclusion of impact gloves in the market but we now have throughout industry as ‘the cut stan- says ISEA’s Craig Wallentine. “It should protection in a 2016 update to the Euro- an impact protection standard that dard’, it’s important for health and also be used by health and safety man- USING STANDARDS TO pean hand protection standard EN 388. gives clarity as to how much energy is safety managers to understand its other agers to make better buying decisions. However, the update was based on an im- being transferred through the glove, PROMOTE SAFE PRACTICE features,” says Clements. “A manu- Data analysis empowers a manager to pact standard for motorcycle gloves and together with mandatory product mark- Standards inevitably raise issues of facturer marketing a cut protection ask: is this product genuinely going to was not focused on the specific needs ing to identify performance levels. compliance because, as Taylor explains, glove that meets this standard protect my workers? And am I spend- of the industrial safety gloves market. “As a result, the language around what “they usually require an end-user to should also reference, for exam- ing too much or too little on my PPE?” In contrast, ANSI/ISEA 138 was devel- constitutes genuine impact protection has provide more, or better, PPE. We are ple, the glove’s level of chemical oped for industrial gloves and the special evolved, so we now have far greater preci- always asking how we can make the permeation protection.” protection they offer to workers. Work on sion: safety managers are better equipped “Data from testing empowers compliance burden lower. We also need Many workplaces repre- the standard began in 2016 by a special- to understand the difference between to be sure that when we’ve finished sent a multi-threat environ- a manager to ask: is this ist sub-group of ISEA’s long-established bump protection and impact protection.” writing a standard, we’re not mandating ment and the feet are sus- Hand Protection Group. This comprised If ANSI/ISEA 138 is proving to be a product genuinely going to a product that will be so horribly uncom- ceptible to most of them. seven major glove manufacturers; mate- game-changer for PPE standards, others fortable no-one will want to wear it. So The number of bones protect my workers? And am rials expert D3O, who brought valuable have also set important benchmarks a careful balancing act is needed.” in our feet represent cross-sector expertise from the motorcycle in the evolution of worker protection. Clements increasingly finds health one-quarter of the total in I spending too much or too market; and a surgeon specializing in “ANSI/ISEA 105-2016 Hand Protection and safety managers seeking guidance our body, making this part plastic and reconstructive hand surgery. Classification, for example, is a good little on my PPE?” at a task-specific level: “They might ask: of our anatomy particularly example of how a revision to a stan- I’m specifying for workers handling sheet susceptible to industrial injury. CRAIG WALLENTINE, ISEA dard can really connect with end-users’ metal, tell me what level of cut protection REINFORCING THE NEED Hazards can range from sharp tools to experience and needs,” says Wallentine. I need. My response is to encourage falling equipment, slippery surfaces caused At Luck Stone, Ron Hope rec- FOR STANDARDS This voluntary standard, first published detailed job task analysis and an evalu- by spills to hot surfaces in a welding bay. ognizes the benefit of standards in PPE is seeing waves of innovation in ma- in 1999, covers classification and testing ation of current PPE provision, together ASTM F2413-05 Standard Specification ensuring consistency in protection: terials technology, including patented ma- for mechanical protection (cut, puncture with a close reading of the relevant stan- for Performance Requirements for Protec- “They give us an ally to help imple- terials such as D3O®, which reinforces the and abrasion resistance), chemical pro- dards. If a health and safety manager tive (Safety) Toe Cap Footwear covers a ment a glove policy or procedures need for this standard. “If manufacturers tection (permeation resistance, degra- wants to mitigate against all reasonable range of performance requirements including within our company,” he suggests. are not going to support regulation,” says dation), ignition resistance and vibration risks and can cover the cost of doing so, impact and compression resistance for the That said, no company wants to Wallentine, “then the consortium approach reduction. The standard incorporates per- the standards will equip them with the toe area, metatarsal protection, chainsaw overpay, and there can be a significant to a standards group, bringing together formance levels, this time from 0 to 6, but knowledge to move to the highest level resistance, puncture resistance of the sole, price difference between, for example, different viewpoints and strengths, is a the 2016 revision goes further than previ- of protection available.” electric shock resistance and the possibility of a level two cut glove and a level four. good way forward.” ous versions in specifying nine cut resis- Chris Meadows of D3O highlights the ignition of explosives and volatile chemicals. However, when reviewing a compa- ANSI/ISEA 138 establishes minimum tance levels, together with clarification of a need for education of safety managers In conducting a hazard assessment, ny’s PPE provision, Jill Clements en- performance, classification and label- single test method rather than the two pre- around transition periods when new or a health and safety manager needs to be courages health and safety managers ling requirements for occupational hand viously to determine these new cut scores. revised standards are introduced: “At what aware that protective footwear can meet all to understand an item’s total lifecycle protection products. Glove impact per- “This industry never stands still,” point does a standard come into force? Do the requirements of the ASTM standard or cost: “The average cost of a hand injury formance is characterized using three dis- says Rodney Taylor at D3O. “Tech- you have to be assessing products against only specific parts of it, so long as it meets is $20,000, and that’s without factoring tinct levels with 1 for the lowest level up to nologies, manufacturing methods and the new standard or is an old one still valid? the requirements for impact and compression in surgery or lost time or whether some- 3 for the highest level. In addition, the lev- materials have all improved since the There is this double layer of complication for resistance. All footwear manufactured to the one else is available to do the job. If a el must be clearly identified with a manda- standard was last revised so the lat- health and safety managers if you have a ASTM specification must be visibly marked higher-specification product reduces tory pictogram specified by the standard. est change reflects this by increasing new standard in place but a question mark with the specific portion of the standard with injury levels, its real cost comes down.” The goal of these requirements is to aid the number of cut resistant levels in about its implementation.” which it complies, using clear and legible Rodney Taylor of D3O compares PPE health and safety managers in selecting the highest performance range.” There is an associated flipside to any marking on at least one shoe of each pair. to insurance: “It’s an investment in cost the most appropriate product for a task. desire constantly to revise standards,

14 www.d3o.com impact magazine 15 THE BIG ISSUE BEHIND THE SCENES PPE STANDARDS BACK OF HAND PROTECTION

the market to respond is an ineffective Meadows hopes to see more con- "Participation is key [for process. We’ve got to find out where the sistency in approaches to perfor- the ongoing development of end-users are, discover how they learn mance standards with independent ® about new standards and quickly take the third-party testing of products rather than standards]. We are always message to them. Otherwise health and self-certification, together with great- looking for groups such as safety managers will simply be swamped er engagement with health and safety Spotlight on D3O by revisions to standards they’ve barely professionals and end-users so their managers and end-users to come to terms with in the first place.” concerns can be addressed and better To support the learning process, ASTM standards can be developed for them. participate in the process. Their International operates an online platform, Nevertheless, Jill Clements of the ISEA insights are crucial" Compass, to keep health and safety man- Hand Protection Product Group is optimis- agers up-to-date with the latest versions of tic about the ongoing relevance and cred- MARY MIKOLAJEWSKI, ASTM INTERNATIONAL PPE standards. ibility of PPE standards: “The future lies As for the ongoing development of in what’s happening now. We are seeing according to Taylor: “The typical develop- standards themselves, “participation is key,” groups of reputable companies who have ment cycle for a standard is three years. says Mary Mikolajewski of ASTM Internation- been in an industry for a long time setting How this pioneering ingredient is revolutionizing back of hand protection Then add on the time it takes for the al. “We are always looking for groups such aside their commercial rivalries to work standard to be promulgated throughout as managers and end-users to participate in together in a way that effectively regulates Most gloves used for industrial PPE across industry. From my experience, this can the process. Their insights are crucial. We the market and educates end-users. This the construction, automotive and oil and gas again be years rather than months. also offer benefits such as interlaboratory approach brings significant validation to the industries have back of hand protectors, with Simply writing a standard, publishing studies to help refine standards.” standards that are now being created.” the vast majority made from thermoplastic it, listing it on a website and waiting for rubber (TPR). Until now, there was very little that manufacturers could do to change the characteristics of the compositions they were using. They could either add more plasticizer to make their gloves softer or less to make them harder, each approach having a negative effect on comfort, dexterity or level of protection. D3O® Impact AdditiveTM (iA) combines advanced polymer chemistry that can be blended into existing processing and manufacturing tech- niques, delivering unmatched impact protection properties to traditional TPR. “D3O® iA is a liquid additive that can modify the existing properties of TPR to deliver greater impact protection while also enabling softer, thinner gloves,” says Rodney Taylor, Global PPE Sales and Marketing Manager at D3O. Impact testing revealed that TPR enhanced with D3O® iA reduces transmitted force by up to 34 percent compared to standard TPR of the same type, thickness and geometry. “We had initially set ourselves a target of a 15 percent reduction,” says Taylor, “so the results are very favorable. This figure has been consistent across a wide range of plastisol formulations. “It is satisfying to have applied our expertise in materials science to this unique product. It’s a completely disruptive process to be able to add impact protection to the back of a glove without altering the way in which a manufacturer processes TPR.”

16 www.d3o.com impact magazine 17 BEHIND THE SCENES INDUSTRY INSIGHT BACK OF HAND PROTECTION PARTNER PROFILE ELIMINIATINGSAFETY IN NUMBERS RISK PROTECT AND SERVE

performance – critical factors to ensure The emergence of iA has also played a MORE PROTECTION, LESS BULK worker compliance. part in the recent development of ANSI/ISEA Impact explores how innovations in blunt trauma impact protection, Previously, glove manufacturers could only Because iA is easily blended with existing 138, the American national standard for use D3O impact protection as bumpers sewn plastisol during production, intricate molding performance and classification for impact coupled with new approaches to crowd management, are changing onto their products. Now they can add iA into designs can also be achieved to improve the resistant hand protection. their formulation with no change to their design, look and feel of new gloves. ANSI/ISEA 138 is like other standards the way law enforcement officers interact with citizens manufacturing and supply chain. Manufacturer feedback has praised in establishing minimum performance, “One of the main things we were looking the supply of iA as an additive rather than classification and labelling requirements ‘An individual in a crowd is a grain of sand gather, they turn into one entity with to accomplish was enhanced protection a complete plastisol composition. Future for occupational hand protection prod- amid other grains of sand, which the wind each person shedding their identity and CALMING TENSIONS against impact without any disruption to opportunities for such protection could include ucts. Where it goes further, however, is in stirs up at will’ – this famous quotation becoming potentially predisposed to Social media and the ease with which a manufacturer’s supply chain,” Taylor other applications where TPR is used, both incorporating performance levels, clearly from 19th century French psycholo- violent collective action. The response is grievances can now be shared places explains. “iA is added to the plastisol and industrial gloves and other types of gloves that identified with mandatory pictograms. A gist Gustave Le Bon encapsulates an invariably a provocative show of force.” law enforcement agencies under ever is very easy to mix, with no need to use any have TPR elements on them. level 1 glove provides entry-level protec- approach to crowd management that is Gaemers cites as an example the greater scrutiny, says Gaemers, “from special equipment outside of the traditional tion; level 2 delivers a mid-level balance very familiar to Rene Gaemers. recent confrontations between the the top by government and from the TPR manufacturing process.” of protection and dexterity; a level 3 glove SUPPORTING INDUSTRIAL A former officer with the Royal Dutch Mouvement des Gilets Jaunes protest- bottom by the people.” The resulting gloves can demonstrate an provides the highest level of protection. iA Military Police and Amsterdam Police, ers and French police: “The core prin- This, he believes, is causing agen- increase in impact performance of up to 34 SAFETY STANDARDS makes level 3 protection achievable. and co-founder of Netherlands-based ciple of public order management is cies to retrench into traditional strat- percent with no increase in bumper thickness. D3O® iA is part of a wave of innovation in “The revolution in back-of-hand impact protection specialist XION®, Gaemers is that the majority of crowds that gather egies for crowd control – including a In addition, D3O® iA reduces the materials technology and design. “What is performance through material advances also a crowd management and tactical are law-abiding citizens exercising ‘RoboCop’ approach to visual appear- hardness of the TPR bumpers by up to significant now is that there has been an such as D3O® iA has made ANSI/ISEA 138 training expert. “Crowd and public order their legal right to protest. In Paris, ance: “If you turn up at a crowd gath- 18 percent. This, together with improved explosion within the back-of-hand impact cat- practicable,” says Taylor. “It has facili- management has changed remarkably you had the police kitted up and what ering looking like you’ve come to fight temperature stability in extreme hot and egory in the last eight years,” says Paul Harris, tated a standard that is a game-changer in little since the days of Le Bon,” he says. began as peaceful demonstrations rather than talk, you risk dehumanizing cold conditions, delivers greater dexterity VP of Product Strategy and Innovations at PPE terms of PPE protection.” “Much law enforcement training is still became violent confrontations with a people who are then more likely to pick and comfort without compromising on manufacturer MCR Safety. based on the idea that when people hostile counter-force.” up a brick than have a conversation.

18 www.d3o.com impact magazine 19 PARTNERINDUSTRY PROFILE INSIGHT FEATURE ELIMINIATINGSAFETY IN NUMBERS RISK D3O® IN ACTION

“The flexibility and low profile HOW TO KEEP provided by D3O® protection YOUR KIDS SAFE contributes to a non-aggressive appearance” Gamebreaker’s Mike Simon van Lammeren, XION Juels examines the role “If instead you keep the lines of agencies,” he adds. “Most tend to copy communication open, it becomes easier and paste prior requirements for rigid SPECIALIZED SKILLS of protective headgear to see that although a crowd may have foam protection, mounted on plastic with “In the U.S., crowd control is only now gathered for one purpose, it still consists straps. Instead, the protective pads in becoming commonplace along with a in reducing concussion of individuals, each with their own norms XION® products are CE certified to the recognition that public order requires a spe- and values.” EN1621 motorcycle standard, which is cialized team with specialized skills. Many of injuries in Team sports At the heart of Gaemers’ philosophy a commercial standard that’s regularly the tools and procedures still being deployed of ‘a crowd management system for our updated. In our view, this standard is are antiquated; the ‘one size fits all’ method is times’ is specialist officer training in de-es- more relevant to equipping officers in no longer an effective strategy.” calating incidents, together with a new the future so they are protected but not In addition, a number of law enforce- approach to protection: “Our research visually threatening.” ment agencies have invested in XION®’s among serving officers shows that conven- Gaemers has partnered with Neil low-profile impact protective base tional personal protective equipment (PPE) Pollock, a retired public order and tactical layers, including the Swedish National is rigid, bulky and restrictive. Officers advisor with the Metropolitan Police in Police, Royal Dutch Military Police and don’t like wearing it, so they are likely to London, and the U.S. Government Training Madrid Motor Police, while agencies in become irritable when putting it on – cre- Institute (GTI), to address the needs of the U.S. including the Portland Oregon ating a mindset that is then less disposed state and local law enforcement agen- Police Bureau have begun trials. to negotiation and more prone to aggres- cies through research-based training. “The Portland Bureau have found sion. We found that 45 percent of officers The resulting five-day Public Order that their officers appreciated how the in one force chose not to wear a full set of Commanders Course from the Public change to their appearance helped them PPE because it was so uncomfortable – Order Management Academy (POMA) is communicate more effectively with mem- The recent FIFA Women’s World Cup head protection specialist Gamebreaker.“The Picking up on these findings, this year’s they chose comfort over protection.” a direct response to increasing demand bers of the public,” says van Lammeren. was a spectacular global showcase decline in participation in football in the U.S. first ever FIFA Women’s Football Convention from within the law enforcement com- “We are currently equipping 70 members for soccer. The U.S. team outshone all is in large part due to media coverage and saw United Nations Under-Secretary-General, munity for a rethink of approaches to of their team, after which the ambition is others on the pitch, but the tournament parental concerns around brain trauma. Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, suggest that play- New Standards for PPE crowd management. “The first of many to for them to begin training with GTI. We as a whole – and the final in particular Heading the ball is a key part of soccer and ers hold each other and coaches accountable XION’s blunt trauma impact protective come,” says Gaemers. hope they will become advocates not – exposed the ever-present risk of head can’t be removed but to pretend there isn’t for head trauma during play3. base layers incorporating D3O® tech- According to Brian Naillon, only for this non-aggressive approach injuries in the sport. an issue around both collisions and cumu- In response, a new program at Boston nology offer maximum protection for key vice-president of the GTI, “there is to PPE but also for a change to the stan- In front of 58,000 spectators and tens lative sub-concussive impacts is foolish. We University called SHINE (Soccer, Head areas of the body without compromising always a need to assess the effec- dards specified in PPE tenders.” of millions watching on TV, Lieke Martens will see how the sport’s authorities respond.” Impacts and Neurological Effects) will follow on freedom of movement. “The flexibility tiveness of current tactics, techniques “All law enforcement officers take an of the Netherlands and Kelley O'Hara of The results of the 2018 Einstein Soccer 20 former female players aged 40 and older to and low profile provided by D3O® pro- and procedures (TTPs). It is simply oath to ‘serve and protect’,” Gaemers the U.S. were left prone on the turf after a Study of American amateur players1 showed learn more about brain injury and the potential tection contributes to a non-aggressive the nature of effective response man- concludes, “and that includes protecting clash of heads. Both were allowed to play that women are more vulnerable than men to degenerative effect of playing a contact sport4. appearance that is central to this new agement. There is a constant need for protestors. Equipping and training officers on following treatment, but O’Hara had to be concussion from heading the ball. Another approach,” says XION co-founder Simon adaptation when it comes to rules of so they are both physically and emotion- withdrawn later – leading some observers 2018 study, of 3,000 players by the University van Lammeren. engagement as laws, platforms and ally more agile and responsive is surely to call into question the consistency of the of Wisconsin-Madison2, found that girls’ soccer A SAFE WAY TO PLAY “One of our biggest challenges has people are constantly evolving and the the key to building a stronger relationship sport’s concussion protocols. and football have a nearly identical concussion Protective headgear is already compliant with been to influence the tendering pro- industry must continue to morph to with the communities they look after.” “Soccer must learn from other sports,” rate, with 20 percent of players sustaining two soccer world governing body FIFA’s regula- cesses for PPE among law enforcement match this ever-changing environment. says Mike Juels, founder and CEO of sports or more concussions across both sports. tions. In the Virginia Tech Helmet Lab’s first

1 'Soccer Heading Injuries', Albert Einstein College of Medicine, http://tiny.cc/f6veaz 20 www.d3o.com 2 https://gamebreaker.com/girls-and-concussions/ impact magazine 21 3 ‘Women's World Cup Highlights Sex Differences – in Medical Research’, Nicole Fisher, http://tiny.cc/k2veaz 4 http://tiny.cc/v5veaz FEATURE D3O® IN ACTION

TEN TIPS FOR BUYING PROTECTIVE HEADGEAR – A PARENT’S GUIDE

1 DON’T BE AFRAID TO BE A TRAILBLAZER 6 CHECK THE RETENTION SYSTEM “When we launched in football we had parents saying my Proper fit is only half the equation. Fastening the chin son or daughter wants to wear headgear but doesn’t want strap and pulling the cap down to just above the brow to be the only one,” says Juels. “Now we are mandated at line gives maximum protection from cap-style headgear. clubs and leagues across the country. With widespread grassroots adoption the FIFAs of this world won’t have to 7 WHAT’S IT MADE FROM? mandate change, it’ll happen organically.” Soft-shell headgear or a headband should have no metal or hard plastic components, no hard or sharp edges or 2 READ THE VIRGINIA TECH HELMET RATINGS anything else that could injure the wearer or another player. From zero stars to five stars, parents, leagues and coaches can easily find out which products are rated as 8 PUSH FOR HEADGEAR TO BE PART OF effective and which aren’t. TEAM UNIFORM Branding a soccer headband with team colors and 3 LOOK BEYOND THE MARKETING badge turns it from a safety device into part of the The Virginia Tech ratings help purchasers make uniform. With a large number of female soccer players educated decisions. An important feature of soccer already wearing something to keep their hair in place, a headbands is the amount of head coverage. protective headband could perform a dual function. Gamebreaker’s new headband offers a three-inch halo compared to the standard two-inch. Head coverage 9 CHECK THE TEAM OR LEAGUE YOUR KIDS WILL and performance sit side by side. PLAY IN 4 CONSIDER WHERE THE PROTECTION NFL players get one padded practice per week. NFL and NCAA coaches are supportive of limiting contact. However, IS LOCATED at youth and high school levels the responses are still more “We’re not in the business of designing a product to test varied. If you don’t want your kids having extensive contact, well,” says Juels. “We could take out a lot of the protection talk to the leagues about doing it like the pros. in a helmet or headband and pack it into the areas tested but then athletes would need to say: ‘Hey, if we bump heads, 10 ACCEPT THAT HEADGEAR IS ABOUT RISK make sure we only bump where the padding is. There’s D3O® REDUCTION, NOT RISK REMOVAL protection with 100 percent coverage with the AURA.” The Virginia Tech Helmet Ratings indicate the percentage of risk that a headgear can mitigate. “We're teaching the 5 Size Matters game differently, and I suspect 15 years from now new A snug and secure fit is essential for all headgear. The innovations will continue to change the way football is size of a helmet determines not only how it fits the head coached. What we need to do is teach kids the proper but also how it stays in place when worn. If you’re buying way to play the game,” says Mike Leibin, former Football online, try the same model in a store first. Coach at Thousand Oaks High School in California6. ever ratings for soccer protective headgear, Virginia Tech and, according to Mike, the SPREADING THE MESSAGE At Rice University, celebrated head (TYFA), one of the largest tackle leagues in helmets because they are lightweight, easy released in 2018, the Gamebreaker Pro number one rated headband in the world. coach Mike Bloomgren has introduced the U.S. with more than 10,000 participants, to carry and easy to clean. Coaches don’t 2018 with D3O® impact protection was It has already attracted the attention of Juels' confidence stems from the way in which strict head safety protocols along with for working with Gamebreaker to develop a have to worry about trying to snap a chin- 5-star rated for its ability to reduce linear major retailers nationwide. a culture of player safety has continued to mandatory Gamebreaker headgear. “He three-year roadmap that will limit padded/con- strap for the younger players. The velcro and rotational acceleration of the head While such statistics are extremely develop in football: “For many years there were asks his players to look up and see the tact practices to one per week and mandate fastener makes it easy for children to use resulting from head-to-head impacts. Yet important, Juels believes the true test few or no restrictions on contact in training and people they are trying to become,” says soft-shell headgear for flag divisions and 7v7. and they stay fastened.”5 Juels believes aesthetic considerations may is out on the pitch: “We want to say to youth leagues. Now we are seeing a far smarter Juels, “and encourages them to practice This message is spreading nationwide. “You have to create a culture centered explain pushback on cap-style headgear parents ‘there’s a safe way to play’, approach to football at every level. as the professionals do.” Greg Legore, Equipment and Logistics around player safety in all contact sports,” Juels covering the whole head. “It looks too much whether that’s soccer or football, then let “If you’re talking to a mom or dad, it’s all about Juels credits the Texas State 7on7 Director for the near-50-year-old Conejo concludes. “The younger generation are much like safety,” he says. the results speak for themselves. You can safety. To an administrator, it’s about exposure Organization for moving towards mandatory Youth Flag Football Association in California, more receptive. They’re saying: this is my body, Headband protection may overcome this only do so much in the lab. We’ve seen and liability. To a coach, it’s all these things – plus soft-shell helmets for players in state qualify- says: “Helmets themselves cannot promise this is my head. I’m going to need it for the rest perception. Gamebreaker’s newly launched this with our football headgear and we’re wins and losses. Coaches are realizing that player ing tournaments in 2019. He also praises the a concussion-free game, but protection of my life, so I’m going to protect it now.” AURA Soccer Headband is 5-star rated by going to see the same with soccer.” health is directly related to wins and losses.” Texas Youth Football & Cheer Association gives peace of mind. Parents like soft-shell

22 www.d3o.com impact magazine 23 5 'Testimonials', gamebreaker.com, http://tiny.cc/ihweaz 6 'Testimonials', gamebreaker.com, http://tiny.cc/1hweaz ANALYSIS PROFILE VT HELMET RATINGS NHL STAR SETH JONES INDEPENDENTLY TESTED How do the Virginia Tech helmet ratings help consumers CASE make informed buying decisions?

All headgear meets minimum safety six sports. Testing is based on two funda- A Summation of Tests for the Analysis of Risk requirements specified by standards mental concepts: (STAR) equation is used to evaluate headgear organizations. However, two helmets based on the risk reduction it offers relative to that pass the same standard may offer • Each test is weighted to reflect how not wearing head protection at all. This gives a different levels of impact protection. frequently players experience a specific score between 0 and 1 which corresponds to a FOR THE Virginia Tech began publishing Helmet impact in a particular sport. STAR rating: 0.0-0.3 equals a 5-star rating (‘best Ratings in 2011 to assist consumers in available’), 0.5-0.7 equals a 3-star rating (‘good’), choosing the most protective products. • Headgear that reduces linear and 0.9-1.0 equals a 1-star rating (‘marginal’). The ratings are 100 percent independent and rotational acceleration of the ‘We encourage athletes to get out of helmets of funding or influence from manufacturers. head from an impact reduces with low ratings and into 4- and 5-star helmets,’ Ratings currently exist for headgear used in the risk of concussion. reads the Virginia Tech website. DEFENSE

TESTING METHOD 2 x NOCSAE certi ed 16kg headforms

1 2 3 3 2 1

2 x impacts at 3 x different speeds (2, 3 & 4 meters per second) INTRODUCING NEW D3O® AMBASSADOR SETH JONES – AND THE KIT THAT Soccer: 2 x impacts Flag Football: 3 x impacts - front & side - front, side & back KEEPS THE NHL STAR PROTECTED ON THE ICE

Weighing in at 220lbs and standing 6 feet 4 the thrill of watching Colorado Avalanche win Predators as the fourth overall pick of that inches, Seth Jones is as statuesque as you the Stanley Cup in 2001, convinced Seth that draft. He made his debut on his 19th birth- might expect for an NHL defenseman. Such his future lay on the rink rather than the court. day against the St. Louis Blues and scored STAR rating (0 to 5 stars) WHAT THE RATINGS SHOW a physique would have served him equally “I always got the question in school about why his first NHL goal just over a week later. well had he followed a different sporting I wasn’t playing basketball,” he revealed in After helping the U.S. team win bronze path – one that might have been expected an interview. “I just didn’t want to. I loved the in the 2015 World Championships, Gamebreaker AURA VT rating: given his family heritage. His father, Ron game, I loved watching it. But hockey took all Seth was traded to his current club, the ‘Popeye’ Jones, was a basketball power my time and I stuck with it.” Columbus Blue Jackets. Since then, three Style: Headband Coverage: 60% forward, shooting hoops for the Dallas Two seasons with the U.S. National appearances in the NHL All-Star Game Price: $59.99 Score: 0.16 Mavericks, Denver Nuggets, Boston Celtics Development Team and a major role helping have sealed Seth’ reputation as one of the and Washington Wizards during an 11-year his country win the 2013 World Junior NHL’s top defensemen. NBA career. Championships convinced hockey fans of “There was never any pressure to follow in For football helmets, the percentage For soccer headgear, the percentage the STAR value Score While dad was playing for the Nuggets, his rare talent. Seth was named the number my dad’s footsteps,” Seth said earlier this year. Coverage area of the headgear that consists of area of the headform covered by (between 0 and 1) padded material the headgear Seth took his first steps onto the ice at the age one overall prospect in the 2013 NHL draft Instead of being known as ‘son of “Popeye”’, of five. A year of skating classes, together with and was eventually selected by the Nashville Seth Jones is very much his own man.

24 www.d3o.com impact magazine 25 PROFILE NHL STAR SETH JONES

Inside STORY: Seth in his own words Impact: The story goes that you wrote SJ: It has obviously gotten more intense can occur, whether from blocking a shot or your mom a note when you were young, over the years. Physically you want to be taking a hit or getting slashed. Protection saying: “I’m going to make it to the strong on the ice, there are many things that gives me the confidence to go out and play NHL”. Tell us about your journey from lifting weights or off-ice training can do for hard 100 percent of the time. starting out to playing organized hockey. your game. Whether it is winning one-on- one battles against an opponent or for injury A positive mindset must play a vital role in Seth Jones: Yes, I did write that note! It prevention. Conditioning-wise, you must be in the NHL. How does having kit containing was always a dream of mine since I began top shape during the season to stay with the D3O protection contribute to this? to play hockey to make it to the NHL. It pace at which the game is played. was a goal and I always strived at a young SJ: Mindset plays a huge role in my sport. age to be the best player I could be. I was What’s a typical day of training as an Having D3O protection allows me to focus on surrounded by people who constantly NHL player? just playing hockey and giving maximum effort pushed me to be better. Every time I every shift and every game. I know that D3O will stepped on the ice I thought in my head SJ: Wake up, get a nice breakfast in, go to protect me like no other padding will. I could be the best player out there, and the gym and work out for about an hour and a that was just a mindset I had from the half. Then I get lunch and head over to the rink What do you enjoy away from hockey PUT TO THE TEST way I was raised. I lived in a competitive where I skate for an hour and work on different training and playing? household with two brothers and parts of my game that need to be improved. JODI CLARK, BRAND & GO-TO MARKET SPECIALIST AT CCM HOCKEY, EXPLAINS THE competition was always on our minds. Near the end of the day I head home and cook SJ: I enjoy cooking, traveling and spending a nice healthy meal. And repeat. time with my family. DEVELOPMENT AND TESTING PROCESSES FOR SUPER TACKS AS1 PLAYER GEAR How did you find that journey in physical terms? How much more physically What are the most common injuries Do you have any tips for someone new to hockey The Super Tacks family is built for increased know how they move, how different types of hits and Products such as the Super Tacks AS1 demanding was each step? suffered by ice hockey players? to stay safe and maximize their enjoyment? coverage and protection and an anatomical impacts affect them and what the impact is on their undergo countless hours of field testing. fit. The new Super Tacks AS1 protective line bodies. We create protective equipment that moves The product lifecycle for our protective equip- SJ: The physical journey didn’t really start SJ: Players face shoulder injuries, knee SJ: For someone new to hockey that wants to is built for players who want extra coverage for with their bodies and protects them in the exact ment is two to three years, and we want to until I was about 12 to 14 years old. That is when injuries, wrist and ankle bruises and soreness. get involved in the game, safety is definitely extra protection when they need it most. D3O is a places they need it. ensure that the gear we are launching passes youth hockey allowed actual hitting. Each time Concussions are the most dangerous injuries the most crucial topic. I believe respecting the key part of this protection story as it is featured in the test. Our internal field testing team organizes you progress to the next level, kids are bigger, which are part of our game as well. game is very important and respecting the every piece of the line of equipment. We needed Many people and teams get involved with fit and on-ice testing year-round for all our stronger and faster and the game is quicker, so players around you is more important. Injuries to create gear that was built for players who aren’t product testing. We test with our pro players, product categories. the physical element becomes more important Tell us about the importance of are going to happen and accidents are going afraid to get hit hard while allowing them to have university teams, local ambassadors and even within the team concept of a game. You may find protection for you. to happen. That is just a part of sports. I truly a large amount of mobility and not feel restricted. colleagues. Different styles and level of play are All the feedback from our pro players yourself getting more and more sore after games believe that if you are constantly thinking important in all of our lab and field testing. As is crucial in the final design of the gear. or practice or certain hits. SJ: Protection is the single thing that keeps about not getting hurt or getting injured, that’s We talk about ‘intuitive equipment that becomes soon as we have samples, we start testing! We Nothing really surprises us now, but we do find my mind off injuries and lets me go out there when things start to go wrong. You must an extension of the athletes themselves’. The want to be able to include input from our players some superstitions and rituals interesting! How has your physical preparation and and just play the game and enjoy what I do. have a mindset of total commitment and trust gear is designed and made for hockey players. We to help design the final products. conditioning changed over time? It puts my mind at ease as to the injuries that the protection that D3O provides.

26 www.d3o.com impact magazine 27 D3O, The Lab 7-8 Commerce Way Croydon, CR0 4XA United Kingdom T: +44 (0)1273 418600 W: d3o.com /d3olab @d3olab @d3olab