Head & Face Protection
Hard Hats, Safety Helmets & Face Protection
Head injuries from falling objects, fixed structures, and electrical arc flash are among the most serious and most preventable in any industrial workplace. OSHA 29 CFR 1910.135 requires protective helmets where workers are exposed to head injury hazards from impact, flying or falling objects, burns, or electrical shock. The standard for head protection is ANSI/ISEA Z89.1, which classifies hard hats by type (impact coverage area) and class (electrical performance). Selecting the correct type and class for your work environment is a compliance requirement — not a preference.
Safe-Fast stocks head and face protection across three subcategories from Pyramex, Securis, Portwest, and ML Kishigo:
- Hard Hats & Safety Helmets — ANSI Z89.1-compliant hard hats in cap-style, full-brim, and vented configurations:
- Pyramex Ridgeline Series — ultra-lightweight ABS cap-style hard hats with 4-point ratchet suspension. Available in vented (standard and hi-viz), non-vented white (Ridgeline White), and graphic-print cap-style and full-brim pattern options. Low profile design with low center of gravity. Type I, Class C or E.
- Securis Safety Helmets with Mips — next-generation helmets with the Mips Safety System that reduces rotational energy transmitted to the brain during side-angle impacts — the most common impact accident in construction and at heights:
- Portwest Height Endurance Helmet PS53 — peak-less compact helmet designed specifically for workers at heights. Unvented ABS shell with 6-point textile harness and wheel ratchet for low-profile fit under fall protection hoods and head-torch mounting.
- Headgear & Visors — face shield headgear assemblies, replacement visors, and specialty head protection including the Pyramex Thermal Balaclava BL111 (self-extinguishing thermal fleece; worn as face mask or neck gaiter; mesh breathing panels). Compatible with hard hat and over-the-hat headgear configurations.
- Accessories — hard hat liners for cold weather insulation, replacement suspensions and ratchets, chin straps, and the ML Kishigo Enhanced Vis Knit Beanie with reflective thread stripes for high-visibility head coverage without a hard hat (non-ANSI compliant; for use where hard hats are not required).
For electrical workers, also see the Arc Flash Head Protection category for arc-rated hoods and face shields (12 cal/cm² and 43 cal/cm²) required for NFPA 70E energized work. Call 1-800-723-3620 for bulk hard hat orders, custom printing, or compliance guidance.
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PortWest Reflective Trim Visibility Insulatex Lined Knit Hat
Portwest
$9.15The PortWest Reflective Trim Visibility Insulatex Lined Knit Hat is a knit hat that features reflective trim for enhanced visibility. Made with 100% acrylic knit, this beanie features additional insulation with Insulatex lining. This windproof beanie is...$9.15
Hard Hats & Head Protection — Frequently Asked Questions
Under ANSI/ISEA Z89.1, hard hats are classified by the area of the head they protect:
- Type I — provides protection only at the top of the head (the crown). This is the most common type in general industry. All cap-style and most vented hard hats are Type I.
- Type II — provides protection at the top and sides of the head, reducing the risk from lateral impacts. Required in some construction environments and increasingly specified by safety-forward employers. Full-brim styles with thickened side walls are typically Type II.
Most hard hats in this category are Type I. If your hazard assessment identifies significant lateral impact risk (work near suspended loads, narrow spaces, or work at heights with overhead obstructions), consult ANSI Z89.1 and consider a Type II helmet.
ANSI Z89.1 classifies hard hats by electrical performance:
- Class E (Electrical) — tested to withstand 20,000 volts phase-to-ground. Required for electrical workers exposed to high-voltage conductors. The Securis SEC23-E and SEC24-E Electrical Grade helmets are Class E. The Pyramex Ridgeline is available in Class E (non-vented versions only — vented hard hats cannot be Class E).
- Class G (General) — tested to withstand 2,200 volts. Suitable for general construction and industrial work with incidental exposure to low-voltage electrical hazards.
- Class C (Conductive) — provides no electrical protection. Used where electrical hazard is not a concern and weight/ventilation is the priority. The Securis SEC23-C Construction Grade helmets are Class C.
Vented hard hats (including vented Pyramex Ridgeline models) are always Class C — the vents break the electrical insulation of the shell. If you work in environments with any voltage exposure, a non-vented Class E or Class G hard hat is required.
Mips (Multi-directional Impact Protection System) is a patented inner shell technology developed from brain injury research. Traditional hard hats are tested primarily for direct vertical impact (a weight dropped straight down onto the crown). However, most real-world head impacts involve an angled force that creates rotational motion — the brain's most injury-prone response, associated with concussion and diffuse axonal injury.
The Mips system adds a low-friction layer inside the helmet that allows the outer shell to rotate slightly (10–15mm) relative to the head upon angled impact, redirecting and absorbing rotational energy before it reaches the brain. The Securis SEC23-C, SEC23-E, SEC25-C, and SEC24-E all incorporate Mips and still meet ANSI Z89.1 requirements.
OSHA does not specify a mandatory replacement interval for hard hats, but ANSI Z89.1 and manufacturers provide guidance:
- Immediately after any impact — a hard hat that has absorbed a significant impact must be replaced, even if no visible damage is present. The shell may have micro-cracks that compromise future protection.
- Shell: every 2–5 years from first use — UV exposure, heat, and chemical contact degrade ABS and HDPE shells over time, reducing impact resistance. ANSI Z89.1 recommends manufacturers publish shell service life guidance. Most Pyramex and Securis helmets have a 5-year shell service life from date of first use.
- Suspension: every 12 months — the internal suspension degrades faster than the shell from sweat, oils, and flexing. Replace annually regardless of appearance, or whenever elastic or webbing shows wear.
Check the manufacture date stamped inside the shell (month/year or quarter/year) to track service life. Hard hats with visible cracks, dents, penetration marks, or chalky/faded shells from UV exposure should be replaced immediately.
Not universally — accessories must be specifically approved for use with the hard hat model by the helmet manufacturer. Adding unauthorized slots, holes, or attachments can compromise the structural integrity of the shell and void the ANSI Z89.1 rating.
Hard hat accessories should be selected from the manufacturer's approved list for that shell. For example, slot-mounted earmuffs and face shield brackets are approved for specific Pyramex Ridgeline models and must be specified by model number. The Portwest PS53 Height Endurance Helmet is designed to accept headtorch mounts and is compatible with specific Portwest face shield headgear. Check the Accessories subcategory for approved add-ons. Call 1-800-723-3620 for compatibility guidance.