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Helly Hansen and the four elements 

According to the theory and teachings of philosophers such as Plato and Aristotle, the four elements fire, water, earth and air are “[…] the substances which are the basis of all life – and at the same time the forces behind the most atrocious destruction”. As such, the four elements are at the root of all life on Earth, but also of every act of destruction.

For as many as 130 years, the long-established Norwegian company Helly Hansen has been accepting the challenge to design workwear which protects laborers from the dangers associated with earth, water, air and fire. Helly Hansen produces work clothing for people who are confronted with the four elements in their daily work and who need to be able to rely on their garments.

The most extensive collection of its history shows how the world’s oldest outdoor brand handles this challenge. With its vast range of clothes, the enterprise guarantees the maximum degree of safety at work in a broad variety of different fields.  

Fire

In many workplaces, being in contact with open flames, hot surfaces or the heat emitted by radiation is an everyday occurence. This applies to the job of a firefighter, but also to occupations in the industry, on building sites and in numerous other lines of business. Helly Hansen Pro provides the people in these fields of work with adequate safety garments and thus saves lives time and time again. The company offers a comprehensive collection of flame-retardant and water-resistant clothing. The fabrics used ensure both heat insulation and fire protection. The Helly Hansen patent of the flame-retardant fiber pile is approved and listed by the NATO. Zips and cuffs are treated in the same way so that spreading fires are deterred and neither hot air nor hot liquids can penetrate them. Due to the moisture-absorbing fabrics used and their natural anti-static properties, static electricity poses no threat, either. 

Water

Fishermen, roadmen and construction workers, in short, all laborers who work outdoors, know what it means to wear appropriate waterproof clothing. Without it, the risk of getting soaked to the bone and consequently falling ill is very high. In order for them to be prepared for all kinds of weather and hard physical work, the Norwegian enterprise produces clothes which are not just absolutely waterproof, but also breathable. Helly Tech ®, the unique fabric system developed by Helly Hansen, features micropores which release perspiration and condensation, but are too small for water molecules, so that moisture from outside cannot penetrate the garment. Furthermore, the Norwegian manufacturer attributes great importance to adapting the clothes to meet the requirements of the various trades. Consequently, Helly Tech ® garments are offered with a range of different features and in different price categories. On the basis of research, experience and know-how, Helly Hansen has been producing waterproof clothing for more than 20 years. Achievements which are beneficial to every imaginable line of business anywhere in the world. The Italian railway company, the Danish postal service and the Norwegian police force are just a few examples of the vast number of customers who have been relying on Helly Hansen technologies for years.

Offshore workers and rescue workers on oil rigs, passenger liners, trawlers and helicopters, on the other hand, have very specific requirements concerning waterproof clothing. For them, it is not about the risk of falling ill as a result of being exposed to the rain. In hazardous jobs like these, the element water plays a much more important role – it rules over life and death. Beyond the task of protecting laborers from moisture, cold and heat, Helly Hansen is committed to the issue of actual survival in the face of extreme situations, primarily in connection with water. Every single day, these workers entrust the survival suits, flotation garments and the lifejackets featured by Helly Hansen’s survival segment with their lives. Thanks to the suits, people stay alive in ice-cold water for much longer than they would without the garments. Those who have lost consciousness are prevented from sinking beneath the surface of the water by automatically floating on their backs. In the same way, lifejackets and suits automatically fill with air as soon as they are underwater or subjected to a certain pressure. In the case of darkness or poor visibility, a special integrated emergency light comes on so that the person to be rescued can be seen even in the dark. The survival segment optimizes the suits for the various occupations and conditions to the last detail. All clothes are designed in such a way that they are also comfortable to wear in non-hazardous situations and do not obstruct the work.  

Earth

Farmers, lumberjacks and mountain rescue workers know how important it is to wear appropriate clothing on a cold winter day. In the fierce Scandinavian winters, especially Helly Hansen’s fiber pile has been an indispensable companion for the past 40 years. Almost half a century before the discovery of fleece, Helly Hansen’s engineers developed jackets, trousers and suits made of fiber pile. Fiber pile, the so-called thermal layer, retains air between the inner and the outer layer of the garment, thus providing insulation against the cold. Apart from keeping people warm and dry, it is absolutely essential for workwear to be both comfortable and functional. Therefore, the garments are designed in a way which makes everyday working life as easy and convenient as possible. These features may include, for example, numerous pockets which are big enough to hold all the relevant tools. With a view to safety at work, the single most important attribute is freedom of movement. 

Air

Helly Hansen’s clothes collection also takes into account occupation groups who literally work up in the air. Roofers or laborers who in some cases spend their entire working day on gigantic steel constructions, for instance, are provided with adequate clothing. What is essential in this context is to be able to choose from a range of garments which are simple and functional, without unnecessary, bothersome features. High up in the air, the workers need to fully concentrate on their work and their balance. That is why countless laborers throughout the world rely on garments from the polycotton collection. Under breezy conditions, the latter keep them warm and offer a “second skin”. In addition, the required tools are always within reach thanks to the Tradesman Pocket System ™. This also applies to helicopter rescue workers who lower themselves down on a rope into the sea or the mountains in order to recover casualties.  

Helly Hansen online: www.hellyhansen.com
More information: Dario Artico  dario.artico@haebmau.de 
Tel.: +49 (0)89.381 08-104
Fax: +49 (0)89.381 08-150  

Posted: August 30, 2007

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