Section 1313.48  Safety Helmets

a)         No occupational licensee shall jog, warm–up, or drive a horse on a racetrack facility during a licensed meet unless the licensee is wearing a protective safety helmet, with a chin strap in place, that has been approved by the Illinois Racing Board (Board).  The Board, in its approval, shall give consideration to such criteria as the following:  

1)         Performance characteristics – The helmet shall consist of a durable smooth shell lined with energy absorbing material that can withstand shock to the head during impact.  The helmet shall have a suspension system that maintains the position of the helmet on the licensee's head with nape strap which fits behind the head to secure the helmet to the head; mandibular pads/straps which encircle the ears and to which the chin strap attachments are anchored; and chin cup/strap which is shaped to fit over the chin.

2)         Finished surface of assembled helmet – The assembled helmet shall be of a smooth and rounded external surface without any reinforcing ridges or other external projections protruding from the helmet.

3)         Ventilation – The helmet may have ventilation holes but the holes shall not be greater than 13 millimeters in diameter.

4)         Materials – That helmet shall be made of materials that can withstand exposure to typical whether conditions, and the effects of contact with hair and sweat.  The helmet shall not be of the type that can cause skin irritation or disease when the helmet comes into contact with the skin.

5)         Vision – The helmet shall provide the peripheral visual clearance of 110 degrees.

6)         Hearing Ability – The helmet shall not restrict the hearing ability of the individual wearing the helmet with sound absorbing material.

7)         Any other factor that will affect the performance characteristics of the helmet shall be considered by the Board.

b)         The emphasis of the Board, in its approval, shall be upon performance characteristics, rather than construction and materials, except for determining whether vision and hearing are impaired.

c)         The Board may give consideration to any performance tests of helmets conducted by consumer groups or other safety helmet testing associations but the results of such tests shall not be determinative or conclusive upon the Board.

d)         In any accident, the safety helmet shall be impounded by the stewards for use in their inquiry of the accident.

e)         The Board does not conduct actual testing of helmets.  The Board, therefore, disclaims any liability for the use of any helmet that fails to protect an individual from personal injury.

(Source:  Added at 11 Ill. Reg. 14816, effective August 24, 1987)