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Hard Hats and Safety Helmets: Type I vs Type II

A hard hat is the one piece of PPE everyone on site wears, so it is also the easiest place to get compliance and branding right at the same time.

Type I hard hats protect against blows to the top of the head; Type II adds lateral impact protection. Class E is rated to 20,000 volts, Class G to 2,200 volts, and Class C offers no electrical protection.

Type I or Type II

ANSI/ISEA Z89.1 splits head protection by impact direction. Type I covers top impact only. Type II adds side, front and rear impact, which is why many owners now specify Type II safety helmets for elevated work, utilities and highway projects.

Electrical class

Class E (Electrical) is tested to 20,000 volts, Class G (General) to 2,200 volts, Class C (Conductive) provides no electrical protection — vented shells are Class C by definition, so vents and electrical work do not mix.

Cap style or full brim

Cap style is lighter and pairs cleanly with welding shields and face shields. Full brim adds sun and rain shedding all the way around, which crews outdoors all day usually prefer.

Suspension and comfort

4-point suspensions are standard; 6-point spreads load better for all-day wear. Ratchet adjustment beats pin-lock for shared or gloved use. Vented shells run cooler but are never Class E.

Expiration and inspection

Follow the manufacturer's service life for the shell and suspension, and pull any hat with cracks, deep gouges, or chalky, faded shell surfaces. Date stamps are molded inside the shell.

Custom logo hard hats

We print and stock branded hard hats in a long color list — you can design and price one online in the hat builder before you ever talk to us.

Hard hats & safety helmets in stock

See all 26 options

Radians

302BC Hard Hat Bump Cap

  • ANSI Z89.1 Type I

From $4.69 USD / ea

Sold individually · 30 per case · 2 SKUs

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Pyramex Baseball Bump Cap

Pyramex

Baseball Bump Cap

From $14.49 USD / ea

12-unit minimum order · 60 per case · 2 SKUs

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Radians

GHP4 Hard Hat

  • ANSI Z89.1 Type I

From $9.49 USD / ea

Sold individually · 20 per case · 2 SKUs

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Radians

GHP6 Hard Hat

  • ANSI Z89.1 Type I

$10.79 USD / ea

Sold individually · 20 per case · 1 SKU

Radians

GHR4 Hard Hat

  • ANSI Z89.1 Type I

From $10.79 USD / ea

Sold individually · 20 per case · 2 SKUs

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Radians

GHR4V Hard Hat

  • ANSI Z89.1 Type I

From $15.39 USD / ea

Sold individually · 20 per case · 2 SKUs

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Radians

GHR6 Hard Hat

  • ANSI Z89.1 Type I

From $11.69 USD / ea

Sold individually · 20 per case · 2 SKUs

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Radians

HHCS2 Hard Hat

  • ANSI Z89.1 Type I

$6.99 USD / ea

Sold individually · 100 per case · 1 SKU

Radians

HHSR4 Hard Hat

  • ANSI Z89.1 Type I

$7.29 USD / ea

Sold individually · 75 per case · 1 SKU

Radians

HHSR6 Hard Hat

  • ANSI Z89.1 Type I

$7.99 USD / ea

Sold individually · 75 per case · 1 SKU

Radians

QHP4 Hard Hat

  • ANSI Z89.1 Type I

$13.99 USD / ea

Sold individually · 10 per case · 1 SKU

Radians

QHR4 Hard Hat

  • ANSI Z89.1 Type I

From $15.89 USD / ea

Sold individually · 10 per case · 2 SKUs

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Common questions

What is the difference between a Type I and Type II hard hat?
Under ANSI/ISEA Z89.1, Type I hard hats are tested for impact to the top of the head only, while Type II hard hats are also tested for lateral impact to the side, front and back.
Are vented hard hats safe for electrical work?
No. Vented shells are Class C and provide no electrical protection. Electrical work requires a non-vented Class E hard hat rated to 20,000 volts.
When do hard hats expire?
Service life is set by the manufacturer and is stamped inside the shell. Replace any hard hat immediately after an impact or when the shell shows cracks, gouges or chalking, regardless of date.