Workplace Safety: Type I or Type II Helmet- What's Best?

How to Choose the Right Head Protection: Type I vs Type II
Ensuring the safety of your team in high-risk environments is a responsibility that cannot be taken lightly. In industries such as construction, manufacturing, and other hazardous workplaces, choosing the right head protection is essential. With various options available, such as Type I and Type II hard hats and safety helmets, it can be challenging to know which one best suits your team’s needs. Understanding the unique features of each type will help ensure that your workers are properly protected against the hazards they may face.
Understanding Head Protection Standards
Before diving into the specifics of helmet types, it's important to understand the safety standards that govern their design and use. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) mandates that employers protect workers from head injuries. Hard Hats and Helmets must comply with the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) Z89.1 guidelines, which categorize helmets into two groups, Type I and Type II, based on the type and level of impact protection they provide.
What is Type I Head Protection?
Type I hard hats and helmets are specifically designed to protect against impact from above, such as falling debris. For Type I hard hats and helmets to meet safety standards, they must pass several stringent tests to ensure adequate protection in real-world settings:
Flammability: The hard hat or helmet's surface must not show visible flame for at least five seconds after exposure to a test flame. This requirement prevents flame spread, which is essential in settings where fire hazards are present.
Force Transmission: To prevent serious head injuries, Type I hard hats and helmets are tested to make sure they can withstand and dissipate a high degree of force. No more than 1,000 Ibf can be transmitted to the head during impact testing, with the average across various environmental conditions ( hot, cold, ambient) not exceeding 850 Ibf.
Apex Penetration: The hard hat or helmet should prevent any penetration from above, meaning that a pointed object cannot reach the top of the head, which helps protect against sharp falling objects.
Electrical Classification: Type I hard hats and helmets come in three electrical classes, G, E, and C based on the level of protection they provide against electrical hazards.
While Type I hard hats and helmets provide vital protection against overhead hazards, they may not offer sufficient coverage for risks that come from the side. This is where Type II head protection plays a role.
What Is Type II Head Protection?
Type II hard hats and helmets offer comprehensive protection, safeguarding not only against impacts from above but also from the front, back, and sides of the head. In addition to the basic tests required for Type I helmets, Type II helmets undergo additional testing to ensure enhanced protection from multiple impact directions:
Impact Energy Attenuation: Type II hard hats and helmets undergo rigorous testing to measure how well they absorb energy from impacts at different angles. By dropping the helmet onto a spherical object from multiple angles, testers ensure that the hard hat or helmet protects the head from lateral forces, not just top-down impacts.
Off-Center Penetration: For additional safety, Type II hard hats and helmets are tested with off-center impacts to make sure that the hard hat or helmet’s structure prevents penetration from various angles. This requirement is crucial for workplaces where side impacts from equipment or machinery are possible.
Chinstrap Retention (Optional): Type II hard hats or helmets may come with a chinstrap that, if tested, must not stretch beyond one inch when force is applied. This feature prevents the hard hat or helmet from falling off during sudden movement or impact, adding another level of security.
Type II helmets offer a broader range of protection, which makes them ideal for environments where impacts could come from multiple directions.
Common Misconceptions About Head Protection
There are several common misconceptions about head protection that can lead to confusion:
Helmet Style Means It Is Type II: The style or appearance of a helmet doesn’t necessarily indicate whether it is Type I or Type II. It’s important to verify the helmet’s specifications to understand its protection level.
EN 12492 Is Better Than ANSI Z89.1: While EN 12492 and ANSI Z89.1 are both important safety standards, they serve different purposes. EN 12492 is specific to climbing helmets, while ANSI Z89.1 covers all types of head protection used in industrial environments.
Climbing Helmets Are Always Safer: Climbing helmets are designed to protect against specific risks in climbing environments, but they may not meet the same impact protection standards required for industrial use. It’s crucial to select a helmet based on the hazards present in your specific work environment.
OSHA Requires Climbing-Style Headgear: OSHA does not mandate the use of climbing-style helmets in all situations. The type of head protection required depends on the hazards present in the workplace.
Hard Hats Are Outdated: Hard hats remain an essential form of head protection in many industries. Modern advancements in hard hat design ensure that they offer robust protection for overhead hazards.
Type II Must Have a Chin Strap: While many Type II helmets feature chinstraps, they are not a mandatory requirement for the helmet to meet safety standards.
Key Challenges in Selecting Head Protection
Selecting the appropriate head protection can be difficult due to several challenges:
Lack of Clear Definitions: The terms "hard hat" and "safety helmet" are not clearly defined in ANSI/ISEA Z89.1, making it difficult to determine what type of protection a helmet provides based on its name alone.
Variations Across Manufacturers: Different manufacturers may offer different styles and features within each helmet type. It's important to carefully review each helmet's specifications.
Visual Appearance Isn't Enough: You cannot determine the level of protection a helmet offers simply by looking at it. Always verify the certification and testing standards to ensure that the helmet meets the required safety guidelines.
Factors to Consider When Choosing the Right Head Protection
Selecting the best head protection requires a thoughtful assessment of your work environment and needs.
Workplace Hazards: Start by analyzing your surroundings. Are workers at risk from overhead dangers, or do they face hazards from multiple directions? This assessment will guide your choice between Type I and Type II.
Job Role and Movement: Consider the physical demands of each job. Workers who move through tight spaces or operate around machinery may require the additional side protection of a Type II hard hat or helmet.
Comfort and Fit: Head protection must fit well and feel comfortable, or workers might be tempted to remove it. Look for features like adjustable suspensions, padded liners, and good ventilation. Remember, well-fitted head protection promotes compliance.
Environmental Conditions: Evaluate external conditions. For example, in extreme temperatures, consider hard hats or helmets designed with proper insulation or cooling features. If there’s an electrical risk, look for helmets with the appropriate electrical protection ratings.
Even with the best criteria in mind, it’s easy to make mistakes or overlook crucial elements. With so many factors to weigh, finding reliable head protection can be daunting. Fortunately, Pyramex Safety Products is here to simplify the process with our comprehensive solutions.
How Pyramex Safety Products Can Help
At Pyramex, we understand that dependable head protection is essential to jobsite safety. That’s why we offer a variety of options in both Type I and Type II hard hats and safety helmets—including the popular full brim style—so you can select the right protection for your team’s specific needs. As your trusted partner, we’re committed to providing unmatched service and superior quality to ensure your team is safe and comfortable.
We believe real protection starts with people who care. We’re here to do more than supply PPE; we work alongside you to help ensure compliance, improve worker comfort, and support your overall safety goals. Our team is ready to help you choose and customize the solution that fits your environment and your crew.
Protecting your team is a responsibility we take seriously. When you choose Pyramex, you're choosing head protection designed to perform—and built with your people in mind.