Hurling and Camogie players warned to never use unsafe 'Gola' helmets
Counterfeit 'Gola' hurling helmets are unsafe to use.
By John Harrington
The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) has warned Hurling and Camogie players, regardless of age, to immediately cease using all ‘Gola’ branded helmets.
These helmets, which are often sold via online marketplaces and social media, do not meet basic PPE standards leaving those who use them at risk of serious injury.
The ‘Gola’ helmets often have protruding screws and sharp edges which post a danger both to those who wear them and other players on the pitch.
The company Gola does not make helmets or licence the Gola brand to any other company to make helmets. Those helmets with the ‘Gola’ branding are counterfeit helmets that do not meet safety requirements.
As the ‘Gola’ brand added to these helmets is counterfeit, it is highly likely that any CE mark on the helmets is also counterfeit. Hurling and Camogie helmets must have a CE mark to show that the helmet meets the required health and safety standards.
The helmets bearing the counterfeit ‘Gola’ brand are also manufactured without faceguards. In order to meet health and safety standards, faceguards must be added at the point of manufacture and not afterwards.
The CCPC has provided the following guidance in relation to the wearing of ‘Gola’ branded helmets for Hurling and Camogie:
“The Gola branded helmets do not comply with the PPE Regulations. There is no evidence of conformity with essential safety requirements of the regulations, no evidence of product specification or production control and therefore any presence of a CE marking can be considered unsupported.”
“Gola branded helmets presents a risk to the health and safety of persons wearing them, in particular a serious risk to the eye, face, and head areas of the wearer. By definition, Gola helmets are a dangerous product as defined in Article 3(3) GPSR (General Product Safety Regulation)."
It is GAA policy that all players at all levels in games and training sessions must wear a helmet with a facial guard that meets the standards set out in IS:355 or other replacement standard as determined by the National Safety Authority of Ireland (NSAI).
If a player sustains a head injury when wearing a helmet that does not meet the standard or is modified or altered from the original manufactured state, they are not covered under the terms of the GAA Player Injury Fund.
Eoghan Tuohey, GAA Player Welfare Manager and Secretary to the GAA's Sliotar, Hurley and Helmet Work Group, said: "The use of a compliant helmet system (i.e., a helmet with a compliant faceguard added at the point of manufacture, thereby making it an item of Personal Protective Equipment) which meets the NSAI standard, IS:355 is critical in terms of ensuring player safety and welfare in Hurling and Camogie at all levels.
“These counterfeit helmets do not comply with PPE Regulations and present a risk to the health and safety of any player wearing them, and to other players. There is concern around any player using these helmets and we encourage parents and players to only purchase helmets from reputable sources."
Advice to consumers
Buy your helmet from a reputable retailer – not an unreliable online source – and make sure you ask these four safety questions first:
- Is the helmet fully assembled? A safe helmet should have a faceguard attached at the point of manufacture. You should not need to attach a faceguard.
- Are there any obvious dangers? Watch out for sharp edges, sharp points, rough surfaces, or protruding screws. Do not wear the helmet if you find any of these dangers.
- Is there a CE mark on the helmet? If there is no CE mark, don’t buy it.
- Are the labels and instructions clear and comprehensive? All Hurling and Camogie helmets should have instructions and information. These, as well as any labelling, should be clear and understandable.
Do not modify the helmet in any way after you buy it.
You can download the consumer guide on helmet safety for full details of the safety risks of wearing a faulty helmet, as well as information on what to do if you suspect you have purchased an unsafe helmet - https://www.ccpc.ie/consumers/2023/12/18/counterfeit-hurling-camogie-helmets-are-dangerous-warn-ccpc-and-gaa/
Further information around hurling/camogie helmet rules and guidance can be found on Tobar.
If you have safety concerns about a helmet that you’ve already purchased, stop using it immediately and contact the CCPC consumer helpline on 01 402 5555 or ask@ccpc.ie
