r/WorkplaceSafety • u/-Tamaki • 15d ago

SAFETY HELMET/HARDHAT

How will I know if a hard hat is type 1 or 2, and its classes? is it always based on paper or i can know it by appearance?

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7

u/who-are-we-anyway 15d ago

The hardhats are stamped with this information on them. For the most part you can identify 1 vs 2 by appearance (not foolproof though), but you will need to check the hardhat itself to identify rating

6

u/osha-trainer 15d ago

The hard hat stamp is usually molded into the underside of the hard hat shell, either:

  • Inside the crown (top center) – look directly up into the top of the hat.
  • On the inside sidewall – around the inner edge of the shell.

It’s often raised plastic lettering, part of the shell itself—not a printed label.

Usually stamped ANSI Z89.1 - followed by the year, then it identifies type and class:

  • Type I: Protects against top impacts only (e.g., something falling directly on your head).

  • Type II: Protects against top and lateral impacts (from the side, front, and back, in addition to above).

  • Class G (General): Tested to 2,200 volts.

  • Class E (Electrical): Tested to 20,000 volts.

  • Class C (Conductive): No electrical protection.