Hard Hat Class Standard and Types
Hard hats are required “when working in areas where there is a potential for injury to the head from falling objects.”Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA). Additionally, when working in areas where there is exposure risk to electrical conductors that can contact the head, a hard hat must also be worn. Specifically designed, “OSHA approved” hard hats are necessary to prevent exposure to the danger of electric shock hazards. Hard hats must meet the criteria required by the American National Standards (ANSI) and the International Safety Equipment Association (ISEA), and be in accordance with the most current and up to date ANSI/ISEA Z89.1-2009 standard.
Once it is determined that a hard had is needed, the next step is choosing the hard hat that is appropriate for your specific work environment. ANSI has categorized hard hat helmets into types and classes to meet each working environments’ specific need. The TYPE of hard hat denotes the level of impact protection provided and the CLASS of hard hat denotes the level of electrical shock protection. Below you will find additional explanation of the different hard hat types and classes that are available.
Hard Hat Types Explained
The impact protection of a hard hat is divided into Type I and Type II.
A Type I Hard Hats will reduce the force of impact resulting from contact to the top of the head only. This type of impact may be the result of a tool or debris falling from above and impacting the hard hat on the top. Added Value Printing’stop-selling Type I hard hat is the MSA V-Gard Hard Hat.Click here to Shop All Type I Hard Hats
A Type II Hard Hats is designed to absorb impact from a blow that is received to the top of the hard hat, from either sideor off-center. Type II hard hats, like the MSA Super V® Hard Hat contain acushioning, high-density foam guard and suspension on the inside of the hat.
View All Type II Hard Hats Here
Electrical Hard Hat Class Standards
The electrical performance of hard hats is divided into three categories as determined by the ANSI/ISEA Z89.1-2009 and Canadian CSA Z94.1-2005 standardization: Class G (General), Class E (Electrical) and Class C (Conductive).
Class E Hard Hats (Electrical) areduce exposure to high voltage conductors, andprovide dielectric protection from up to 20,000 volts (phase to ground). This amount of voltage protection is provided to the head only and does not necessitate voltage protection to additional areas of the user’s body. An example of a Class E Hard Hat is the MSA Topgard® Hard Hat which is commonly worn by utility workers who are at risk due to their daily exposure to high voltage.Previously, Class E hard hats were synonymous with a "Class B" rating. Additionally, a Class E (Electrical) hard hat also meets the Class G (General) requirements, as the voltage protection surpasses the lower standards of a Class G hard hat.
View All Class E (Electrical) Hard Hats Here
Class G Hard Hats (General) reduce exposure to low voltage conductors,and offer dielectric protection of up to 2,200 volts (phase to ground). Similar toClass E hard hats, the voltage protection applies only to the head and does not provide voltage protection to other areas of the body. The MSA Skullgard Hard Hat is a Class G (General) hard hat that is often worn by miners or construction workers who require a lower level of electric voltage protection. Previously known as "Class A," hard hats, the Class G (General) hard hat is the most commonly purchased hard hat from Added Value Printing.
Shop All Class G (General) Hard Hats Here
Class C Hard Hats (Conductive) provide impact protection but do not provide protection from electrical conduction. Class C (Conductive) hard hats often include vented options, as in the MSA V-Gard 500 Hard Hat, which protect the user from impact, but also offer improved breathability and ventilation. View All Class C (Conductive) Hard Hats Here
All hard hats that meet ANSI/ISEA standards will contain a label of certification on the interior of the hard hat. The Type and Class standard of the hard hat will be listed on this label. In the event that your hard hat label of certification is missing or is ineligible, it is advised that you replace your hard at as soon as you are able. Below is an image example of a hard hat ANSI/ISEA label of certification.
If you have any additional questions or concerns regarding hard hat types or classes, call Added Value Printing at 763-657-0028
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