ASTM unveils new standard for hockey players’ protection
March 26, 2016 - United Kingdom
A new ASTM International standard has been released that aims to protect ice hockey players from potential throat injuries.
The new standard (F3165, Specification for Throat Protective Equipment for Hockey Goaltenders) covers performance requirements and test methods for throat protectors used by ice hockey goalkeepers.
The new standard discusses construction of the protectors, positioning of the protectors with the goalie masks, coverage of the throat region, product labelling aimed at helping consumers, and more. The standard also covers test-related topics such as puck-impact resistance, testing conditions, and what to include in test reports, according to a press release.
Mark Granger, chairman of ASTM’s subcommittee on ice hockey standards, noted that the work on a potential standard was initiated after a young ice hockey player and his father – A.J. and Jerry Ostrander – brought the concern to an ASTM meeting a few years ago after A.J.’s protector had broken a few times.
Granger said, “In essence, what A.J. did was create an international standard for this piece of gear at the youngest age I’ve ever seen. The Standard could be used by organisations and associations involved in youth hockey leagues.”
An annex to the standard provides requirements and physical properties for pucks to be used in throat protector testing. In addition, the annex notes that puck hardness is to be determined in accordance with ASTM’s test method for rubber property using durometres (D2240). (GK)
The new standard (F3165, Specification for Throat Protective Equipment for Hockey Goaltenders) covers performance requirements and test methods for throat protectors used by ice hockey goalkeepers.
The new standard discusses construction of the protectors, positioning of the protectors with the goalie masks, coverage of the throat region, product labelling aimed at helping consumers, and more. The standard also covers test-related topics such as puck-impact resistance, testing conditions, and what to include in test reports, according to a press release.
Mark Granger, chairman of ASTM’s subcommittee on ice hockey standards, noted that the work on a potential standard was initiated after a young ice hockey player and his father – A.J. and Jerry Ostrander – brought the concern to an ASTM meeting a few years ago after A.J.’s protector had broken a few times.
Granger said, “In essence, what A.J. did was create an international standard for this piece of gear at the youngest age I’ve ever seen. The Standard could be used by organisations and associations involved in youth hockey leagues.”
An annex to the standard provides requirements and physical properties for pucks to be used in throat protector testing. In addition, the annex notes that puck hardness is to be determined in accordance with ASTM’s test method for rubber property using durometres (D2240). (GK)