The ECB has recently announced new helmet safety measures, which are being
introduced with a view to reducing the risk of head and facial injuries within
the game. The purpose of this brief note is to assist Leagues and Clubs at the
recreational level to understand the key elements of these changes and what
they mean.
Players over the age of 18
The ECB strongly recommends that all adult recreational cricketers should
wear helmets for certain activities, preferably which meet the most recent
British Safety Standard (see below). This recommendation applies to batting
against all types of bowling, wicket-keepers standing up to the wicket (who may
as an alternative wear face protectors) and fielders fielding closer than eight
yards from the batsman’s middle stump, except behind the wicket on the off
side.
Under 18’s
The position in relation to u18s currently remains unchanged, and is
governed by the ‘ECB Guidance on the Wearing of Cricket Helmets by Young
Players’ (www.ecb.co.uk/youngplayershelmetguidance). In essence, batsmen and
wicket-keepers standing up to the stumps must wear head protection when playing
or practising. That Guidance should be referred to in full for the position in
relation to u18s.
British Safety Standard
The latest British Safety Standard is BS7928:2013 (for both adults and
juniors). The full list of helmets meeting this standard is available at
www.ecb.co.uk/helmets. For wicket-keeping face protectors the relevant British
Safety Standard is BS7929-2:2009 (again, for both adults and juniors).
The ECB understands that there is currently no specific women’s helmet and
as a consequence no specific standard for women’s cricket helmets. As the size
of the standard women’s cricket ball is between the standard men and junior
balls, it is recommended that women use helmets that have been tested against
both the men’s and junior sized ball, or at least against the junior size ball
(as that could potentially get through the gap above the face guard on a men’s
helmet).
What do Leagues and Clubs need to do?
Whilst it is strongly recommended that all adult recreational cricketers
wear helmets in the on-field circumstances detailed above, it is not mandatory
for them to do so. For the avoidance of doubt, Leagues or Clubs do not need to
go above and beyond the ECB’s recommendation by forcing their cricketers to
wear helmets.
However, Leagues and Clubs in recreational cricket should ensure that their
cricketers are made aware of the ECB’s above recommendation in relation to
helmets, including the need to check that any newly purchased helmets meet the
latest British Safety Standard. The ECB recommends that Leagues and Clubs bring
the link above (i.e. www.ecb.co.uk/helmets)
to the attention of their cricketers and encourage all cricketers to carefully
consider their own health and safety regarding helmet use.