Hard hat types and classes are the two ratings every ANSI Z89.1 hard hat carries: Type I or II for impact protection and Class G, E or C for electrical protection. Type I covers impacts to the top of the head, Type II covers the top and sides; Class G is tested to 2,200 volts, Class E to 20,000 volts and Class C has no electrical rating.
The standard behind hard hat types and classes
ANSI/ISEA Z89.1 is the American National Standard for industrial head protection. The current edition is Z89.1-2014, reaffirmed in 2019. OSHA requires hard hats that meet the 2009, 2003 or 1997 editions or an equally effective standard; hats certified to the 2014 edition meet that requirement.
Type I vs Type II
| Type I | Type II | |
|---|---|---|
| Impact protection | Top of the head | Top and sides, including off-center strikes |
| Extra tests | Top impact and penetration | Adds lateral impact, off-center penetration and chin strap retention |
| Common styles | Cap, full brim, cowboy | Cap and climbing-style helmets |
| Typical use | Most general work | Work at height, sites with side-impact hazards, many large contractors |
Type II helmets often include foam liners and chin straps and look more like climbing helmets. A growing number of contractors require them site-wide.
Class G, E and C
| Class | Proof-test voltage | Use |
|---|---|---|
| G (General) | 2,200 V | General work with possible low-voltage contact |
| E (Electrical) | 20,000 V | Electrical, utility and many industrial sites |
| C (Conductive) | None | No electrical hazards; often vented for airflow |
The test voltage checks the shell’s insulation. It is not a rating for touching energized lines. Class E is one layer of electrical protection, not a replacement for safe work practices and other PPE.
Older hats were marked Class A, B and C. These letters were replaced by G, E and C in 1997, so a hat marked A or B is far too old to use.
Optional markings
- LT: tested at low temperature, -22°F (-30°C).
- HT: tested at high temperature, 140°F (60°C).
- HV: meets high-visibility color requirements.
- Reverse donning symbol: a curved arrow means the hat can be worn backward with the suspension reversed.
Which hard hat type and class do you need?
Your employer decides, based on a hazard assessment of your work. As a starting point:
- General construction, ranch and warehouse work: Type I, Class G or E.
- Electrical, utility, oil and gas: Class E.
- Work at height or sites with side-impact hazards: Type II.
- Hot outdoor work with no electrical hazard: a vented Class C hat may be allowed.
Cowboy hard hats are almost always Type I. See cowboy hard hat ANSI ratings for western-style models, or OSHA hard hat requirements for the rules. More on the hard hats hub.
Sources
- International Safety Equipment Association (ANSI/ISEA Z89.1)
- OSHA 29 CFR 1910.135, Head protection
- OSHA 29 CFR 1926.100, Head protection (construction)
Frequently asked questions
What are the two types of hard hats?
Type I, which protects against impacts to the top of the head, and Type II, which protects against impacts to the top and sides.
What are the three classes of hard hats?
Class G (tested to 2,200 volts), Class E (tested to 20,000 volts) and Class C (no electrical protection).
Is Type II better than Type I?
Type II covers more impact directions, so it is required where side impacts are a hazard. Type I meets the requirement for most general work.
What happened to Class A and B hard hats?
They were renamed Class G and Class E in the 1997 edition of ANSI Z89.1. A hat still marked A or B is decades old and should be retired.