Different Types of Hard Hats

Hard hats, as personal protective equipment (PPE), are used to protect one of the most important parts of the human body, providing head protection for workers. So how to choose the head protection device to provide effective protection? There are different types and grades of hard hats, and you need to choose according to the industry and work environment you are working in to ensure that the hard hat you use is suitable for the job you are doing and provides effective head protection.

Head injuries are so common in the workplace that OSHA requires every worker to wear head protection when the following situations are likely to occur:

Objects may fall from above the employee's working position and hit the head.

The employee's head may hit a fixed object.

Employees may receive electric shocks to the head.

ANSI Standard - Hard Hat Ratings

Different jobs will make employees have different needs for hard hats. ANSI rates hard hats based on level of protection and functionality.

Knowing the type and rating of hard hats makes choosing the right head protection easier for you.

ANSI Standard Z89.1 is the standard covering hard hats. According to ANSI Z89.1, hard hats can be divided into two different types and three different grades. The types define the type of protection the hard hat provides, and the rating summarizes the level of protection against electrical hazards. If the hard hat complies with ANSI standards, it also complies with OSHA. It is very important for hard hat manufacturers to produce hard hats that meet ANSI standards, because this is what many employers who buy hard hats and workers who wear hard hats want.

ANSI Types of Hard Hats

According to ANSI Z89.1, all hard hats can be divided into two types. Type I and Type II.

Type I: Type I hard hats have a full brim. These hard hats protect workers from objects falling from above and hitting the top of the helmet, reducing the impact force on the head. For example, when working on a construction site, it is likely that materials or tools will fall from a height. In this case, wearing a type I helmet can provide effective head protection.

Type II: Type II hard hats are the most common hard hats. This type of hard hat only has a short brim in the front. It protects the top and sides of the head, reducing the impact of impact. In addition to objects falling from above, hazards such as exposed pipes, which may cause impact from the side, must also be considered.

ANSI Ratings for Hard Hats

Hard hats are classified into the following ratings to indicate their ability to prevent electric shock.

Class E (Electrical) provides shock protection up to 20,000 volts and is designed to reduce the risk of electrical shock from head contact with high voltage conductors.

Class G (General) provides shock protection up to 2,200 volts, reducing the risk of electrical shock from head contact with low-voltage conductors.

Class C (Conductive) These helmets do not provide protection against electric shock, they are used to protect the worker's head from impact.

Hard hats that comply with ANSI standards need to be marked with the ANSI standard, type and class, manufacturer's name, date of manufacture, and size range applicable to the specific hard hat. The 2009 revision of the ANSI standard requires an indication of whether a hard hat can be worn backwards, look for a circle with two curved arrows.

Some special jobs have higher requirements on temperature or visibility, and helmets with the following marks may be helpful to you.

HT Logo: Hard hats with the HT logo provide protection in high temperatures (up to 140° F / 60° C).

LT Logo: Hard hats with the LT logo provide protection in low temperatures (-22° F / -30° C).

HV logo: Hard hats with the HV logo meet all requirements for high visibility.

Summarize

In addition to determining the different types and grades of safety helmets according to the dangerous situations that may occur in the workplace, the adjustable chin strap and adjustable head strap can ensure the correct and comfortable wearing of the safety helmet. Of course, there are different styles of helmets. The brim of the full-brimmed helmet surrounds the entire hat, which can cover the face, ears and the back of the neck, helping to guide rain and snow away from the face and head; the helmet with a shorter front brim, Helps to block the sun and prevent rainwater from entering the eyes; wearing a hard hat with vents in the hot summer can better dissipate heat. The hard hat can also be used in conjunction with other equipment. Adding reflective strips or lights is a must if you're working at night or in low-visibility environments.

T-safety has a variety of different types and styles of hard hats, check to choose the one that suits you best. If you have any questions or want more information, please contact us.