MSA answers
and stands behind MSA hard hats – read the official MSA letter
addressing the “cracking” of March 2008 MSA V-Gard hard hats.
September 4, 2009
Re: V-Gard ® Protective Cap
Dear MSA Customer:
Thank you for your inquiry regarding the MSA V-Gard, the
industry’s
leading and most
recognized industrial hard hat.
Recently, MSA was made aware of misleading
and false information being circulated about a
User Advisory and Recall on our V-Gard Protective Caps. The following information
addresses this issue and serves as a reminder on the importance of proper inspection.
Background
MSA has received a very isolated number of reports regarding the development
of a single
crack across the top of the V-Gard shell. Our investigation and quality assurance
tests
indicated that a small number of V-Gard Caps manufactured in March 2008 may
be
susceptible to premature cracking, which we have found to be attributable to
minor variances
in our colorant. This was immediately addressed and corrected in March 2008.
Nevertheless, to determine if a V-Gard Cap exhibits this type of crack, it
is readily noticeable
at the top of the shell and easily identified through routine, daily inspection
as prescribed by
our user instructions.
Quality Assurance Testing Results
Our testing indicates that V-Gard Caps that exhibit this type of crack continue
to meet all
ANSI Z89.1-2003 and CSA Z94.1-2005 impact and penetration test requirements.
However,
a crack of this type would prevent the cap from passing the electrical resistance
test.
Additionally, our instructions require V-Gard Caps to be inspected
before and after each use
and removed from service should a crack develop. Although proper inspection
would prevent
the use of a cracked cap, we are issuing this letter as an added precaution
to V-Gard Cap
users. Caps that do not exhibit a crack and meet all other inspection requirements
are
certainly suitable for use and should remain in service.
Please remember to
inspect your V-Gard Caps before and after each use. As the industry’s
leading provider of protective caps, MSA stands behind our V-Gard products.
Accordingly,
we will replace any V-Gard Caps manufactured in March 2008 that exhibit this
type of crack
without being impacted. To report this occurrence, please call the MSA Product
Concern
Report Hotline at 1-866-672-6977.
In closing, we thank you for your trust in
MSA and our V-Gard line. Your loyalty has helped
position the V-Gard brand as an icon in the industry, and we are committed
to ensuring that
remains the case.
Sincerely,
Maureen Kelly
Product Line Manager, Industrial Head Protection
Cranberry Plant
1000 Cranberry Woods Drive
Cranberry Township, PA
16066
724.776.8600