Hard Hats

Hard Hat Labeling

To qualify as an ANSI certified helmet, there must be a legible label inside the helmet which identifies the standards that the hard hat was designed to meet. If your helmet is missing this label or it’s no longer legible, it should be replaced.

Hard Hat Service Life

Hard hats service life starts from the time it was put into service. While there is a date code stamped into the helmet, that is only the date of manufacturing. When a helmet is put into service, it should be documented on the label in the shell of the hard hat.

The helmet suspension should be replaced after no more than every 12 months, and the helmet should be replaced after no more than 5 years. These dates are the maximum, and the helmet should be inspected regularly to ensure that it is still safe. If the hard hat has sustained an impact it must be removed from service. Even if there is not visible damage, the materials could have weakened and may no longer provide the safe level of protection required.

Hard Hat Best Practices

Suspensions should always be designed by the manufacturer to work with the specific hard hat and should not be modified. Only use the specific suspension when replacing a worn-out suspension and install it to the manufacturer’s instructions. This includes installing it backward so the brim of a helmet can be worn in the back. Although, some manufacturers do offer swing-style suspensions which allow the helmet to be reversed.

Do not paint your helmet. Chemicals in the paint can alter and damage the structure of the hard hat and reduce the protection provided. If you’re painting on the job site, always clean your helmet according to the manufacturer’s recommendations to remove any chemicals or paint residue that may be present. Pressure-sensitive, non-metallic stickers or self-adhesive tape are typically acceptable on most of today’s hard hats. However, you must refer to the manufacturer’s recommendation to verify if they’re allowed on your particular hard hat and for placement guidelines.

Standards

ANSI/ISEA Z89.1-2014

This standard provides performance and testing requirements for industrial helmets, commonly known as hard hats. It establishes the types and classes of protective helmets, depending on the type of hazard encountered.

OSHA 29 CFR 1910.135

Head Protection Requirements and Classi cations of Hard Hats and Safety Helmets for general industry workers.

OSHA 29 CFR 1926.100

Head Protection Requirements and Classi cations for head protection for construction, demolition, and renovation workers.

FAQs

What is the difference between a 4 point hard hat and a 6 point hard hat?

The difference between 4 and 6 point suspension is the actual number of clips that mount the cradle suspension to the shell of the hard hat. 6 point suspension offers superior protection with regard to blows in which the lateral side of the head comes in contact, or the blow comes from an off-center axis.

What is a Type I Hard Hat?

Type I hard hats are intended to reduce forces of impact from a blow to the top of the head. These are the most common helmet on the jobsite. Type 1 helmets would protect a worker from a dropped hammer or tape measure.

What is a Type II Hard Hat?

Type II hard hats are intended to reduce forces from lateral impact coming from an off-center, side, or top of the head strike. This impact could be from a sharp corner of an I-Beam or swinging structural element of a tower. The sides of these helmets are typically lined with a high-density foam or suspension.