What is a Type II safety helmet?
Quick Answer
A Type II safety helmet takes hits from every direction, including top, front, sides, and back, not just the crown. It’s certified to ANSI/ISEA Z89.1, and it’s the modern upgrade to the legacy Type I hard hat. Federal contractors and safety teams that take lateral-impact injuries seriously are switching over because swinging loads, low-clearance bumps, and side strikes don’t come straight down. Type II helmets come in Class G, Class E, and Class C electrical ratings.
What "Type II" actually means
ANSI/ISEA Z89.1 sorts industrial helmets by where they absorb impact. A Type I helmet is tested against a single strike to the crown. That’s it. A Type II helmet is tested against impacts to the top, front, sides, and rear of the head. Every direction a real-world injury comes from.
That distinction matters because most head injuries on construction sites, in oil and gas, and in industrial settings aren’t straight-down strikes. A worker who slips and falls sideways. An object that swings in from the periphery. A bump against a low-clearance beam or scaffold pipe. A piece of equipment swung by a co-worker that catches you off guard. Type I hard hats were never built to take those. Type II helmets are.
Class G, E, and C: electrical performance
ANSI Z89.1 also classifies helmets by electrical insulation. Class G (General) is tested at 2,200 volts. Class E (Electrical) is tested at 20,000 volts, the highest level of electrical protection in a safety helmet. Class C (Conductive) provides no electrical insulation and is intended for impact protection only.
Pick the class that fits the work. Lineworkers, electricians working on energized equipment, and anyone whose job puts them near live conductors wear Class E. Most general construction and industrial crews are fine in Class G. Class C is the right call where electrical hazard has been engineered out. Many indoor industrial settings or above-grade construction with no overhead lines qualify.
Where Type II is required
OSHA’s head protection standard, 29 CFR 1926.100, requires employers to provide helmets that meet ANSI Z89.1 when workers face the risk of head injury from impact, falling or flying objects, or electrical shock and burns. The standard doesn’t, by itself, require Type II over Type I. Both meet the baseline. The Type II decision is typically driven by:
Federal contracting requirements. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and several other federal agencies now require Type II on covered projects. BDG Safety is one of the leading distributors for those contracts. We know the procurement side and the gear.
Industry standards. Many large general contractors and industrial operators have updated their written safety programs to specify Type II for all field workers.
Recognized best practice. As awareness of lateral-impact injuries has grown, Type II has become the default specification for new safety programs and PPE standardization efforts.
Choosing and inspecting a Type II helmet
A few things to think about when specifying or buying Type II:
Fit and adjustment. Chin straps are strongly recommended and required for work at height or anywhere the helmet could get knocked off. A properly fitted chin strap keeps the helmet positioned during a fall or lateral impact.
Ventilation. Vented helmets are more comfortable in hot environments, but they may not be appropriate where chemical splash is a concern. Confirm the vented model still meets the required Class rating for your work.
Accessories. Type II helmets from leading manufacturers accept face shields, ear protection, headlamps, and communication systems without compromising impact protection. Look for accessory rails that meet the manufacturer’s specifications.
Inspection. Before each use, inspect the shell for cracks, dents, or UV degradation, and check the suspension for fraying or broken stitching. Any helmet that has sustained an impact should come out of service immediately, even if no damage is visible. The internal energy-absorbing layer may be compromised.
Care, replacement, and service life
Most manufacturers recommend replacing a safety helmet every 5 years from the date of manufacture, and replacing the suspension every 1 year. UV exposure, chemicals, and temperature swings shorten service life. The manufacture date is molded into the shell of most ANSI-compliant helmets. Write the in-service date on the helmet with a permanent marker so replacement timing is unambiguous. Any helmet involved in an impact, even without visible damage, should be retired immediately.
Workplace head injury statistics
5,283 fatal workplace injuries were recorded in the United States in 2023 (BLS Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries), down 3.7% from 5,486 in 2022.
1,942 of those fatalities, 36.8% of all workplace deaths in 2023, involved transportation-related incidents, the leading fatal event category (BLS IIF).
The fatal work injury rate in 2023 was 3.5 per 100,000 full-time equivalent workers (BLS IIF).
These numbers cover all-cause workplace fatalities, not head injuries specifically, but they show why head protection stays foundational to any safety program. Industry-by-industry breakdowns are published by the NIOSH Worker Health Chart, which visualizes the underlying BLS data.
Type II helmets available at BDG Safety
STUDSON SHK-1 Full Brim Vented (Class C). Type II rated, with Koroyd® impact-absorbing technology and Twiceme® NFC identification built into the shell. View product | Browse the Studson collection.
Hardknock Resolve FullBrim Type II Safety Helmet (Vented). A contractor favorite for comfort, accessory compatibility, and price. View the Hardknock collection.
Related resources
Type I vs. Type II safety helmets. A side-by-side breakdown of the two ANSI classifications.
Are safety helmets replacing hard hats?. The trend toward Type II in the field.
OSHA head protection standards. What 29 CFR 1926.100 actually requires.
About BDG Safety. Navy-veteran-founded, SDVOSB, and one of the largest distributors of Type II safety helmets for federal contractors including the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
Frequently asked questions
Q: When should a Type II safety helmet be replaced?
A: Every 5 years from the date of manufacture under normal service conditions, or sooner if the shell shows visible damage, UV degradation, or chemical exposure. The suspension should be replaced annually. Any helmet that has sustained an impact should be retired immediately.
Q: Can a Type II helmet be used after an impact?
A: No. Once a safety helmet has absorbed an impact, its energy-absorbing layers may be compressed or compromised even when the outer shell looks intact. Retire the helmet and replace it.
Q: Are chin straps required on Type II helmets?
A: OSHA does not mandate chin straps on every jobsite, but they’re strongly recommended and required by many site-specific safety plans for any work at height, around heavy equipment, or in any environment where the helmet could be knocked off during normal work.
Q: What is the difference between Class G, Class E, and Class C?
A: Class G is tested to 2,200 volts and is the most common rating for general construction. Class E is tested to 20,000 volts and is the choice for utility lineworkers and electricians working near energized conductors. Class C provides no electrical insulation and is for impact-only environments where electrical hazard has been engineered out.
Talk to a human about your Type II spec
Not sure which Type II helmet is right for your crew? Pick up the phone. Call (619) 992-7621 or email info@bulldoggroup.net. We’re BDG Safety: Navy-veteran-founded, SDVOSB, and one of the largest Type II distributors serving the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and federal contractors nationwide. We’ll help you specify compliant head protection for your project. No phone menus, no runaround. Just real people who know the gear.
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