Hardhats to Helmets: Why Helmets?

The helmets provide two key features compared to a hard hat that will help protect our people:

1. An energy-absorbing liner to significantly improve protection from impacts and penetrations to the Top Sides, Front, and Rear of the helmet.
2. A chin strap to assure that the helmet will stay on during a slip, trip, or fall.

There are some basic principles that the standards organizations and industries of many countries have recognized and have begun to address:

1. Hard hats fall off often and can’t be relied on to be there when people really need them; in a fall. Hard Hats fall off from even simple movements like leaning over. Hard Hat lanyards exist because we anticipate the hard hat is going to fall off, and we want to prevent a larger incident from the dropped object.
2. Hard Hats are only designed to address impacts and penetrations to the crown of the helmet. They are not engineered to offer protection from impacts and penetrations elsewhere on the helmet.
3. Hard Hat standards focus on what happens when an object impacts the hard hat, but not conditions like a head impacting an object during a fall.

Many countries around the world have directly adopted or been inspired by the EN industrial helmet standards of the UK and European Union. These standards address items such as head protection in a fall and hard hat retention.

Such helmets are found across Europe, Africa, Asia, and Australia. ANSI standards used in the U.S. do not include such requirements. Nonetheless, helmets that meet a combination of ANSI and the same EN standards are being adopted across many major U.S. Contractors. Gilbane, Skanska, Clark Construction, Balfour Beatty, and many more have moved their personnel to helmets like this and are starting to encourage or require the use of these helmets for the specialty contractors working with them.

The helmets meet all requirements of ANSI Type 1, Class C, G, and some cases E, helmets. This means they satisfy all OSHA requirements and meet or exceed the performance of existing hard-hats. Though they might look different, there is not a technical reason a customer/owner could object to the use of these helmets.

Yes.

Chin straps secure the helmet to your head and ensure that the helmet does not come off your head during a slip, trip and fall.  In addition, the chin strap will keep the helmet on your head should you bend over frequently to do your job. Manufacturers require the chin straps to be engaged.

Stickers may be permitted, but the guidance provided in the OSHA Standard Interpretation to Ms. Johanna Cohan dated 10/27/2009 must be followed: https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/standardinterpretations/2009-10-27

No. If the helmet and chin strap are properly fitted to the individual, a hard hat lanyard is not necessary. The helmets are designed for work at heights, and the chin strap system is designed to retain the helmet through various working conditions and in the event of a fall.

Currently, helmets are significantly more expensive than hard hats.  Significant orders have seen reductions in cost for bulk purchasing.  The total amount of heads protected by helmets relative to hard hats is currently low but growing.  As helmets gain greater acceptance and the number of heads protected goes up, it is expected the price will drop. In addition, there are many new helmet vendors coming into the market, which is expected to make a helmet purchase more cost-effective. Finally, the cost of a helmet relative to other safety equipment (such as fall protection equipment) is comparable or less, and provides protection against traumatic brain injuries, which result in significant, life-altering changes to the injured employee and very high cost to the employer and insurer.

While ANSI Type 1 hard hats are acceptable to OSHA, they do not provide side impact and penetration resistance of helmets, nor do they have an integral chin strap to keep the helmet in place during a fall event.  It is important to note that so many recreational and sports activities utilize helmets and up-to-date technology to prevent head injuries (such as football, bike riding, skiing, horseback riding, hockey, mountaineering, baseball, lacrosse for example), while construction utilizes 60-year-old hard hat technology.  Construction is a hazardous profession and head injuries do occur.  It is incumbent on employers to provide a safe work environment for the employee, and providing helmets to the workforce, even if transient, shows care for the well-being of the employee, which generally results in improved safety and job performance.

Our collective experiences as construction companies and independent research indicate that falls can and do occur from the same or low levels.  Helmets can provide protection from head injuries by utilizing shock-absorbing materials and an integral chin strap to keep the helmet on the head, regardless of the distance of the fall.

In addition, helmets provide protection against side impact and penetration, which ANSI Type 1 helmets do not.

Several studies have compared modern safety helmets (Type II) with traditional hard hats (Type I).
The findings generally show:

• Helmets can feel warmer, particularly because they cover more of the head and have a chin strap.
• Measured physiological heat strain (core temperature, heart rate, sweat rate) is often very similar between modern vented helmets and hard hats under typical construction conditions.
• Worker perception is important. If workers believe helmets are hotter or less comfortable, they may be less likely to wear them correctly, even if objective measurements show only small differences.

The evidence suggests that while helmets may feel warmer than hard hats, they generally do not produce substantially greater physiological heat strain, especially when modern vented designs are used alongside good heat stress controls. Research is on-going.

There is currently no ANSI test for FR rating on a hard hat or helmet. Some manufacturers go above any beyond the standard to test helmets under Arc Flash conditions to ensure no additional hazards are present in the user has been involved in an Arc Flash.

Lighter colored helmets, such as white, yellow, or light gray, generally absorb less solar heat than darker colors like black or dark blue. This can help keep the helmet cooler when working in direct sunlight.

No. A climbing style appearance alone does not mean a helmet is ANSI Type 2 compliant.

Many climbing style helmets were originally designed for recreational or rope access applications and may not meet ANSI/ISEA Z89.1 requirements for industrial worksites.

Always verify that the helmet is:

• Certified to ANSI/ISEA Z89.1
• Rated as Type 2
• Appropriate for your jobsite’s specific requirements, including any required electrical classification (Class E, G, or C)

Look for the ANSI marking inside the helmet before use.

While both provide head protection, Type 2 safety helmets typically include additional features designed to improve protection.

Type 2 safety helmets commonly have:

• A secure 4-point chin strap that helps keep the helmet in place during a fall or impact
• Expanded impact protection for the top, front, back, and sides of the head
• An integrated suspension or energy management system
• Better compatibility with accessories such as face shields, hearing protection, and lights

Traditional hard hats generally protect against top impacts and often do not include a chin strap unless added separately.

Yes. Most modern Type 2 safety helmets are designed to comfortably accommodate long hair, braids, buns, or ponytails.

Many helmets feature:

• Adjustable ratchet suspensions
• Rear shell designs that allow space for lower ponytails
• Multiple sizing adjustments for a secure, comfortable fit

Hair should never interfere with the suspension system or prevent the helmet from fitting properly.

Always follow the manufacturer’s replacement recommendations.

Replace your helmet immediately if it:

• Sustains a significant impact
• Shows cracks, dents, or other visible damage
• Has a damaged suspension or chin strap
• Has been exposed to chemicals, excessive heat, or UV degradation that affects its condition

Even without visible damage, helmets and suspension systems should be replaced according to the manufacturer’s inspection and service life guidelines.

No.

Reputable industrial safety helmets are typically tested by accredited laboratories to verify compliance with ANSI/ISEA Z89.1 performance requirements, but not every helmet on the market undergoes independent third-party certification.

When selecting a helmet, look for:

• ANSI/ISEA Z89.1 compliance markings
• Manufacturer documentation
• Certification or testing information from a recognized independent testing laboratory, when available

Yes, but just like a hard hat, you must put on in the proper order. Respirator on, adjust straps and fit, helmet on, secure chin strap, adjust straps and ratchet on suspension.

The helmets have a five to ten-year recommended service life, depending on manufacturer. Wear parts could be replaced during this life span. A helmet could experience a reduced life from various factors such as impact, chemical exposure, sun exposure, misuse, etc.

Helmets require periodic cleaning, proper storage when not in use, and a minimum annual inspection to verify it’s still suitable for use. Suspensions, if incorporated should be replaced annually. Some helmets also feature a UV indicator which indicates when the plastic shell has been exposed to enough UV radiation to remove from service, regardless of time in service.

Parts are generally available as individual components.

A helmet can generally accommodate almost all head sizes with ratcheting adjustment to dial in fit anywhere along that range.

Field trials indicate the helmets are generally seen as more comfortable than a hard hat. Typical hard hats weigh approximately 400 grams while helmets generally weigh 450-500 grams.