Management Information Sheet

Further to MI sheet number 86/14, additional information has been provided on the use of World War artefacts as exhibits. The advice regarding gas masks remains unchanged but further information has now been provided on World War helmets and the potential for these to also contain asbestos.

The Imperial War Museum analysed a number of their helmets and discovered that the majority of the British Army (‘Brodie’) helmets issued during the First World War, contain chrysotile (white) asbestos in the helmet liner.

Accordingly, they confirmed the advice in relation to these items is the same as for gas masks - it is not appropriate for children or teachers to wear or handle any artefacts that potentially contain asbestos.

The principles outlined in MI sheet 86/14 should therefore be similarly applied to World War helmets. These are:

If you have a World War helmet, you should always presume it contains asbestos unless you can confirm that it doesn’t. The Schools’ PeopleNet document G602 (‘Managing Objects Containing Asbestos’), contains information that will be relevant, including on the safe handling, storage and disposal of known or potential asbestos containing objects.

It will be sensible to seek assurances from any supplier of this type of artefact that it does not contain asbestos. It would also be advisable when visiting museums displaying these artefacts, to check with the museum staff that these checks have been made before allowing any handling.

An asbestos analyst’s report relating specifically to the helmet being procured, could, for example, be used as evidence that no asbestos has been detected/identified.

Due to the issues of potential contamination, unless you can be certain the helmet does not contain asbestos, it should not be worn or handled.