ANSI Z89.1 – Industrial Head Protection

ANSI-Z89.1 Industrial Head Protection 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.

Hard Hat Types

It includes specifications for helmets designed to offer protection from

• Type I  – top-only impact;

• Type II – lateral impact;

giving employers and users the flexibility to specify the helmet that best meets the needs of their specific workplace.
Both TYPES are tested for impact attenuation and penetration resistance.
Type II helmet 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.

Hard Cat Classes

The three classes indicate the helmets electrical insulation rating.

• Class G (general) helmets are tested at 2200 volts,

• Class E (electrical) are tested to withstand 20,000 volts, and

• Class C (conductive) provide no electrical protection.

Update:

• 2014 – ANSI/ISEA Z89.1-2014 was prepared by the members of ISEA’s Head Protection Group as a revision to ANSI Z89.1-2009, and approved by a consensus review panel of users, government agencies and safety experts. Key updates contained in this version include optional testing and marking features for head protection for use in high-temperature environments, as well as editorial revisions to clarify test procedures.