The Differences Between Type I and Type II Head Protection
Safety professionals must understand ANSI performance requirements, OSHA recommendations, and other factors to make the best determination.
- By Kevin Kurkowski
- Mar 14, 2025
Industrial head protection is certified under ANSI/ISEA Z89.1-2014 (R2019) as either Type I or Type II based on many criteria. Understanding the differences between Type I and Type II, coupled with the latest recommendations from OSHA and your own hazard assessment of your jobsite and application, can help you determine the appropriate head protection solution for your needs.
What is ANSI/ISEA Z89.1?
The American National Standard for Industrial Head Protection, ANSI/ISEA Z89.1, outlines “Types and Classes, testing and performance requirements for protective helmets. These include recommended safety requirements for authorities considering the establishment of regulations or codes concerning the use of protective helmets.”1
ANSI/ISEA Z89.1 was prepared by members of the International Safety Equipment Association’s (ISEA) Head Protection Group as a revision to the 2009 edition and approved by a consensus review panel comprised of technical experts, unions, construction industry and other user groups, test labs, and certification and government agencies.
Type I Hard Hat Requirements
Type I hard hats based on ANSI standards are rated to reduce force as a result of a linear impact to the top of the head only. They are not rated to reduce force from front, back, or side impacts.
There are four specific performance requirements for Type I hard hats:
No flame can be visible for five seconds after removing the test flame from the hard hat surface.
Hard hats are preconditioned to hot and cold environments and tested by placing them onto a headform and dropping an object – typically an anvil or steel ball – weighing approximately 8 pounds with a spherical striking face with a radius of close to 1.9” from a height that yields an impact velocity of 18 ft/s. Any single hard hat must not transmit force to the test headform exceeding 1,000 pounds of force. Additionally, test results for each preconditioned temperature are averaged, and these averages shall not exceed 850 pounds of force to the test headform.
This test also involves preconditioning hard hats to hot or cold environments, and then placing them on headforms. A pointed steel penetrator is then dropped onto the hard hat from a height that yields an impact velocity of approximately 23 ft/s. The penetrator cannot make contact with the top of the headform.
- Electrical classification (Class G, Class E, or Class C)
Class G and Class E hard hats must meet appropriate performance requirements:
- Class G to withstand 2,200 volts for one minute. Maximum leakage shall not exceed three milliamperes.
- Class E to withstand 20,000 volts for three minutes after impact. Maximum leakage shall not exceed nine milliamperes.
Class C hard hats are not tested for electrical insulation.
Type II Hard Hat Requirements
Type II hard hats based on ANSI standards are designed to reduce force as a result of an impact to the front, back, sides, AND top of the head.
In addition to the four performance requirements of a Type I hard hat, Type II performance contains three additional requirements:
- Impact energy attenuation
Hard hat is dropped onto a spherical object at various angles around the hard hat, above a designated test line.
A penetrator is dropped vertically, and the hard hat is rotated at different angles above a designated test line. The penetrator cannot contact the headform at any of the angles.
- Chinstrap retention (optional)
If a Type II hard hat is provided with a chin strap, the chinstrap must be tested for retention, must remain attached to the hard hat and must not stretch beyond one inch in length.
EN397:2021 and EN12492:2012 Requirements
When choosing an industrial hard hat, it may also be beneficial to understand how European standards for impact and penetration testing compare to those for the United States.
EN397 testing requirements are similar to those for ANSI Type I. It is focused on top-impact ONLY for industrial use.
EN12492 testing requirements provide a slightly larger top-impact zone for mountaineering and climbing helmets. While EN12492 helmets provide additional top impact protection when compared to ANSI Type I hard hats, the standard is NOT equivalent to ANSI Type II, as it does not provide the same lateral protection that a Type II helmet provides. Only Type II helmets are certified for lateral protection.
OSHA’s Safety Helmets Bulletin
OSHA released an updated version of its “Head Protection: Safety Helmets in the Workplace”.Safety and Health Information Bulletin (SHIB) in April 2024, stating, “With a thorough understanding of the benefits and capabilities of head protection options, employers and workers can make informed decisions on selection and use.”
OSHA recognizes two Types (impact) and three Classes (electrical) of head protection:
- Type I head protection offering protection from impacts to the top of the head.
- Type II head protection offering protection from impacts to the top and sides of the head
- Class G (General) head protection designed to help reduce exposure to low voltage conductors and proof tested at 2,200 volts (phase to ground).
- Class E (Electrical) head protection designed to help reduce exposure to higher voltage conductors and proof tested at 20,000 volts (phase to ground).
- Class C (Conductive) head protection not intended to provide protection against contact with electrical hazards.
According to the SHIB, accessories (chinstraps, face shields, eye protection, and hearing protection) may also be considered as options to help address specific jobsite and application hazards and concerns.
Hazard Assessments for Your Jobsite and Application
In the SHIB, OSHA notes that “modern head protection, whether it’s a safety helmet or a hard hat, varies in styles and levels of protection, allowing employers and workers to choose head protection appropriate for the job.”2 OSHA continues that “Employers must conduct a hazard assessment at their job site and based on the workplace hazards, determine whether head protection is necessary and, if so, the most appropriate type.”2
When conducting a hazard assessment, employers often consider the following factors:
- Previous records of head injuries or near misses
- Impact and other risks, including falling objects, hitting or bumping the head, lateral impact, electrical shock, or chemical splash
- Job-related tasks and applications, such as working at height, confined space entry, climbing, or welding
- Environmental conditions such as electrical sources, extreme weather, or high noise
Additional considerations may include comfort, worker compliance, your organization’s customization requirements for PPE, seasonal factors such as outdoor heat stress, and ESG/sustainability goals.
Final Considerations
With so many options on the market today, understanding the differences between Type I and Type II, what OSHA recommends, and the specific hazards and concerns of your jobsite and application, can help simplify the process of choosing head protection for your organization. Some of the latest innovations can help address specific concerns, such as:
- Heat Stress: Look for a Type I hard hat with a thermal barrier that can help to keep the inside of the hard hat cooler than those without this technology. Options like this can be beneficial in road construction or oil and gas in hot, sunny climates or times of year.
- Rotational Impact Protection: One of the most serious types of injuries that can result from falling objects and equipment or slips, trips, and falls is Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI); the most common of which is a concussion. Look for a Type II option that provides additional protection to help mitigate rotational impact and the risk of TBIs. For example, technology that allows the helmet to move relative to the head at impact, redirecting energies and helping reduce harmful rotational motion.
- ESG/Sustainability: If ESG and sustainability initiatives are top-of-mind, head protection solutions made with renewable resources are available. Look for solutions made with green high-density polyethylene (GHDPE), for example, or that are certified to have a high biobased content.
- Accessory Compatibility: Following a hazard assessment, you may determine that eye, face, and hearing protection are necessary. Look for a solution from a manufacturer whose accessories are compatible across head protection products to help simplify your program and inventory.
On a final note, remember – it is important to inspect your PPE prior to each use and throughout the day, and always follow manufacturer instructions and warnings. Damage can occur without notice and compromise the protection capabilities. Any hard hat that has been struck severely should be immediately removed from service and replaced. Even if it looks to be in good condition, hairline cracks that are barely visible can affect the integrity of the hard hat or safety helmet.
This article originally appeared in the February/March 2025 issue of Occupational Health & Safety.