Worker Protections

Head Protection

0 MM+

workers in the United States are protected by head protection.

Head Protection Buyers Guide

Head Protection Worker Protections

Protecting employees from potential head injuries is a key element of any safety program. A head injury can impair an employee for life or it can be fatal. Wearing industrial head protection helps to protect a worker’s head from injury. Industrial helmets can protect employees from impact and penetration hazards, as well as from electrical shock and burn hazards. Head protection is worn by construction and electrical workers, roadside crews, warehouse workers, landscapers, inspectors, and other workers.

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Head Protection

Head Protection, Press Release

ISEA Accepting Public Review Comments for New Bump Cap Standard

Head Protection

ISEA Seeks Consensus Panel Participants for Industrial Bump Caps Standard

Dropped Object Prevention, Emergency Eyewash, Ergonomics, Eye & Face Protection, Fall Protection, First Aid, Hand Protection, Head Protection, Hearing Protection, Heat Stress Solutions, High Visibility Protection, Instruments, Protective Apparel, Respiratory Protection, Safety Cutting Knives, Safety Signs & Labels, Wearables & Data

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Safety Professionals Are Invited to Share Experiences with Head Protection

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ISEA Helps OSHA Update its Head Protection SHIB

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Beating the Heat: The Benefits of Purpose-Designed Industrial PPE

Dropped Object Prevention, Emergency Eyewash, Eye & Face Protection, Fall Protection, First Aid, Hand Protection, Head Protection, Hearing Protection, Heat Stress Solutions, High Visibility Protection, Instruments, Press Release, Protective Apparel, Respiratory Protection, Safety Cutting Knives

New Study: Safety Managers & PPE Providers are Embracing Sustainability

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Global Head Protection Standards Have Led to Buyer Confusion in America

Do You Have the Correct Head Protection?

There are a lot of misconceptions about industrial head protection,
and no one-size-fits all solution.

Do you know your head protection facts?

Get the Facts

195k

Occupational head injuries reported from 2021-2022.

684

Workers killed from intracranial injuries in 2022.

12.5%

Percent of occupational fatalities in 2022 due to intracranial injuries.

Federal Standards & Regulation

OSHA mandates specific rules for head protection that aim to create a work environment safe from known dangers or hazards:

OSHA 29 CFR 1910.135 governs safety helmet requirements for general industry workers.
OSHA 29 CFR 1926.100 governs head protection requirements for construction, demolition, and renovation workers.

Both require head protection to comply with the ANSI/ISEA Z89.1 American National Standard.

American National Standard

ANSI/ISEA Z89.1-2014 (R2019) American National Standard for Industrial Head Protection
This standard provides performance and testing requirements for industrial helmets, commonly known as hard hats. It establishes the types and classes of protective helmets, depending on the type of hazard encountered. It includes specifications for helmets designed to offer protection from lateral impact, or top-only impact, giving employers and users the flexibility to specify the helmet that best meets the needs of their specific workplace.

Heat Protection Types

Type I – Top Protection
Type II – Lateral Impact Protection

Type II performance requirements include criteria for impact energy attenuation from impacts from the front, back and sides as well as the top; off-center penetration resistance, and chin strap retention.

Both types are tested for impact attenuation and penetration resistance. 

Helmet Electrical Insulation Classes

Glass G (general) – Tested at 2200 volts
Class E (electrical) – Tested to withstand 20,000 volts
Class C (conductive) – No electrical protection

Additional Resources

ISEA is represented on the following standards committees and panels:

ANSI Z49 – Safety in Welding and Cutting
ANSI Z87 – Eye and Face Protection
ANSI Z10 – Occupational Safety and Health Systems
ASTM E54 – Homeland Security Applications, E54.4 – PPE
NFPA Technical Correlating Committee – Fire & Emergency Services Protective Clothing & Equipment
NFPA Technical Committee on Fire Service Occupational Safety & Health
CSA Z94.1 – Technical Committee on Head Protection
US TAG Administrator, ISO TC94 Technical Committee for Personnel Safety, SC1 Head Protection
US TAG to ISO TC94, SC14 Fire Fighters Personal Equipment