Ranch · Oilfield · Jobsite
Cowboy hard hats and the rules that decide where you can wear one.
Plain-English guides to cowboy hard hats and standard hard hats: ANSI ratings, OSHA requirements, fit, care and the job sites that accept each style.
Start with cowboy hard hats Safety guides
- Every pick checked for its ANSI rating
- OSHA rules explained in plain English
- Updated when standards change
What you'll find here
Everything about head protection for outdoor work
Ratings explained
What Type I, Type II and Class G, E and C mean, and how to read the label inside the shell.
OSHA rules
What the regulations require, who decides on your site and when a cowboy hard hat is allowed.
Fit and sizing
How to measure your head, adjust the suspension and keep a wide brim steady in wind.
Care and replacement
Cleaning, storage, date stamps and the damage signs that mean it's time for a new hat.
Browse by topic
Start with the hat, then the rules
Where they're worn
Built for ranch, oilfield and jobsite
Cowboy hard hats started on job sites in California and spread to ranches, oil and gas leases and construction crews across the West. Each setting has its own rules.
New on the site
Latest guides
Cowboy Hard HatsCan You Paint or Put Stickers on a Cowboy Hard Hat?Paint is usually a no, because solvents can weaken the shell. Stickers are usually fine if the manufacturer allows them. Here is…
Hard HatsDo Hard Hats Expire? How to Read the Date StampHard hats have no legal expiration date, but every maker sets a service life starting from the date stamped inside the shell.…
Cowboy Hard HatsWhen to Replace a Cowboy Hard Hat: Expiration and Damage SignsReplace it right away after any significant impact, when the shell shows damage, or at the end of the manufacturer's service life.…
Hard HatsHard Hat Color Codes by TradeWhite for supervisors, yellow for general crews, blue for electricians: here are the common hard hat color codes and why your site…Cowboy Hard HatsHow to Clean and Care for a Cowboy Hard HatMild soap, warm water and air drying. No solvents, no harsh chemicals. Here is a step-by-step routine and how to store your…
Cowboy Hard HatsCowboy Hard Hat Colors and What They Mean on a JobsiteThere is no federal hard hat color code. Here is what colors usually mean on site, which cowboy hard hat colors are…
Since 2009
The story behind the western hard hat
CowboyHardHat.net has covered cowboy-style hard hats since 2009. The first one was built in a Bakersfield garage in the 1990s by a machine-tool salesman who was tired of swapping his straw hat for a dome every time he walked onto a site.
Read the history of the cowboy hard hat or learn more about this site.
Before your first shift
Five checks before you wear a cowboy hard hat to work
- Find the ANSI label. Look for Z89.1, a Type and a Class inside the shell.
- Match the Type. If your site requires Type II, most cowboy hard hats are out.
- Match the Class. Near electrical hazards you need Class E.
- Check the date. Note the manufacture date and the maker's service life.
- Read the site rules. Color, chin strap and accessory rules vary by employer.
Common questions
Are cowboy hard hats safe?
Cowboy hard hats from safety manufacturers are tested to ANSI/ISEA Z89.1, the same standard as other hard hats. Most are Type I, which covers impacts to the top of the head.
Are cowboy hard hats OSHA approved?
OSHA does not approve any hard hat. It requires head protection that meets ANSI Z89.1, and certified cowboy hard hats meet that requirement.
Can I wear a cowboy hard hat at work?
Usually, if it has the Type and Class your employer requires. Some sites require Type II helmets or company-issued hats, so check your site rules first.
How long does a cowboy hard hat last?
Follow the manufacturer. Many recommend replacing the suspension about every 12 months and the shell within about five years, or right away after any impact or damage.
Not sure what your job requires?
Start with the safety guides: OSHA rules, ANSI ratings and site requirements in plain English.