HPA Helmet & Safety Regulations

HPA Safety Committee

Helmet & Safety Regulations

Following the Hurlingham Polo Association’s Safety Committee meeting, an ongoing helmet shortage was highlighted, as well as their stance on fixed peaks and face protection. The meeting notes also listed all of the helmets which currently meet the standards required by the HPA.

The Committee strongly recommends face and eye protection

Polo Helmet Shortage

The HPA Safety Committee would like members to note that there is currently a shortage of polo helmets in stores. Players should allow for a lead time of 4-6 weeks as some manufacturers are making helmets only to order; other manufacturers have deprioritised the production of polo helmets in favour of general equestrian helmets.

The Committee points out that in the case of lack of supply, general equestrian helmets conforming to European and American safety standards may be worn, not just ‘polo’ helmets. Polo helmets purchased after 1st April 2021 also need to have a QC mark. You may wear a previously purchased helmet without a QC mark until 1st April 2024. A full table of qualifying ‘polo’

Armis Duo

KEP Italia Cromo

Dr Victor Chua, MBBChir MRCSEd (Ophthalmology)

“There is currently a problem getting ready to wear polo helmets: many manufacturers seem to be only building them to order, so do allow 4-6 weeks. Hopefully this will ease next season. We also issue recommendations regarding fixed peaks and face protection. There is now a dedicated section on the HPA website with safety information and lists of helmets which meet our standards.”

helmets that we are aware of is on the website under ‘Helmet Rule’.

Fixed Peaks

The Committee recommends helmets with detachable or collapsible peaks, in line with other equestrian bodies.

Face Protectors

The Committee strongly recommends face and eye protection (protective glasses, or face shields). We currently receive reports of ball/mallet impact leading to blindness every two or three years in our membership of about 2,500. About 20 members report jaw/face/teeth injuries to us every year in our annual injury survey.

The only face protection standard designed for polo is the NOCSAE face protection standard. The standard requires the protector to withstand polo ball impacts of 90 mph, common in full-speed polo.

As far as we are aware, only one product passes this standard. Commonly used eye protectors, such as the Oakley Jawbreaker, have been tested to resist polo balls up to 30 mph. While this is a much lower speed, the Committee is of the view that eye protectors are likely to significantly lessen the degree of injury by deflecting the force of impact away from the eyeball, and therefore recommends them over no protection at all.

Helmet Regulations

Helmets must always be worn during play. Helmets must be type approved to the standard PAS015:1998 or PAS015:2011 with CE mark (type approval must be performed by a Notified Body for Personal Protective Equipment), SNELL E2001, VG1 01.040 2014-12, or UTAC/CRITT 04/2015, NOCSAE and any newer version of the same standard, including EN1384:2017. The HPA require helmets to be both “type approved” and to bear a QC mark. A QC mark is a higher and more expensive standard, which requires factory inspection

Instinct Polo Askari

and audit by the certifying body. Helmets purchased before 1st April 2021 which are type approved but without a QC mark are permitted to be worn until 1st April 2024. Any helmet which meets the above standards (to the satisfaction of the HPA umpire) is permitted. It is not necessary to wear a “polo” helmet, a general equestrian helmet which meets the standards will do. We provide the following list for the convenience of members and umpires.

List of helmets meeting standards 10 October 2021

Brand Model Type Approval Standard QC Mark

Armis Armis Duo PAS015:2011, VG1 01.0402014 BSI Kitemark

Armis Armis Edge PAS015:2011, VG1 01.0402014 BSI Kitemark

Armis Armis Vera NOCSAE, PAS015:2011, VG1 01.040-2014 SEI and BSI Kitemark

Casablanca NEU PAS015:2011, NOCSAE SEI Charles Owen Palermo II Polo PAS015:2011, VG1 01.0402014 SEI and BSI Kitemark

Charles Owen Polo Edition PAS015:2011, VG1 01.0402014 BSI Kitemark

Charles Owen Young Rider Polo PAS015:2011, VG1 01.0402014 Charles Owen Sovereign NOCSAE, PAS015:2011, VG1 01.040-2014

GPA Speed Air 2X POLO 2X UTAC/CRITT 04/2015 EN 1384:2017 BSI Kitemark

SEI and BSI Kitemark

SEI to ASTM F1163- 15

Instinct Polo Instinct Mk1 PAS015:2011 Instinct Polo Askari NOCSAE KEP Italia Cromo PAS015:2011, VG1 01.0402014 La Martina Windsor PAS015:2011, VG1 01.0402014 BSI Kitemark

SEI

SEI to ASTM F1163- 15 SEI and BSI Kitemark