Type I vs Type II Hard Hat: Key Differences Explained
WC Safety Editorial — Independently Reviewed
Last updated 2026-07-17 · Sources: ANSI/ISEA Z89.1, OSHA 29 CFR 1926.100 · No sponsored picks · Editorial team
Last updated 2026-07-17 · Sources: ANSI/ISEA Z89.1, OSHA 29 CFR 1926.100 · No sponsored picks · Editorial team
ANSI/ISEA Z89.1 defines two hard hat types based on the direction of impact protection. Understanding Type I vs Type II determines whether a traditional hard hat or a modern safety helmet is required for your site.
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Type I vs Type II: The Critical Difference
| Specification | Type I | Type II |
|---|---|---|
| Impact protection | Top of head only (vertical) | Top + lateral (sides) |
| Impact test standard | Vertical drop test only | Vertical + off-center (oblique) drop |
| Typical shell profile | Flat-top traditional hard hat | Rounded dome (safety helmet profile) |
| When required | General construction + industry default | Sites mandating lateral impact protection |
| Popular examples | MSA V-Gard, Bullard C33, Pyramex Ridgeline | Milwaukee BOLT, STUDSON SHK-1, MSA V-Gard H2 |
| Price premium | Baseline | Typically +$30–80 over Type I |
| OSHA minimum compliance | Yes | Yes (exceeds minimum) |
Which Type Do You Need?
If your employer or site PPE policy mandates Type II — you need Type II. No substitution is permitted. If your site requires OSHA minimum compliance (ANSI Z89.1) without specifying Type — a Type I hard hat meets the requirement.
As of 2026, Type II is increasingly mandated on commercial construction, institutional, and infrastructure projects. Industrial facilities (manufacturing, utilities) still predominantly use Type I. Check your specific site policy before purchasing.
What ANSI/ISEA Z89.1 Actually Tests
ANSI/ISEA Z89.1 is the American National Standard for Industrial Head Protection, published by ISEA and recognized by OSHA. Every compliant hard hat — Type I or Type II — must pass force transmission (an 8-lb striker dropped 5 feet onto the crown, with peak transmitted force under 1,000 lbf), penetration (a pointed striker must not reach the headform), flammability, and, for Class E/G hats, the dielectric test. Type II adds a lateral impact test: an off-center strike to the side of the shell, with transmitted force still held under the standard's limit. Type I hats are never tested laterally.
The Foam Liner: The Physical Difference
The component that passes the lateral test is a closed-cell foam liner — typically EPP or EPS — bonded inside a Type II shell. On a side strike, the foam crushes and absorbs energy before it reaches the suspension and skull, the same principle as a bicycle or climbing helmet. Two practical consequences: the foam is single-use (after any significant impact it may be permanently compressed with no visible damage — replace the hat), and a Type I shell cannot be retrofitted into Type II by adding foam; certification applies to the complete tested assembly only.
Where Type II Is Required or Strongly Recommended
OSHA (29 CFR 1910.135 / 1926.100) requires ANSI Z89.1-compliant head protection but does not name a Type — the Type comes from your site's hazard assessment and PPE policy. Environments where Type II is mandated or the clear industry practice:
- Logging and forestry — falling limbs strike from any angle (operations covered by 29 CFR 1910.266)
- Steel erection and ironwork — many GCs require Type II site-wide for the swinging and angled-strike exposure
- Underground and low-clearance work — mining, tunnels, vaults, crawl spaces
- Scaffolding — lateral strikes from tubes, boards, and angled falling objects
- Owner and GC mandates — a growing number of commercial and infrastructure projects specify Type II regardless of task
How to Identify Type I vs Type II
Look inside the shell: Z89.1 requires a permanent marking with the manufacturer, standard edition, Type, Class, and date of manufacture. No Type marking means the hat doesn't meet the current standard. A Type II hat also shows its foam liner on the inside surface — but always trust the marking over the shell shape.
Why Type II Hats Look Like Climbing Helmets
The dome profile, short brim, and chin strap on modern safety helmets aren't styling — they follow from the lateral-impact requirement. A rounded shell distributes an angled strike instead of catching it on a brim edge; the foam liner needs a deeper shell to live in; and once a hat protects against side strikes, keeping it on the head during a slip, trip, or strike matters, which is what the chin strap does. Traditional flat-top Type I hats keep the full brim (better sun and drip coverage) precisely because they're only answering the vertical-drop test. That's also why crews switching to Type II often pair it with other sun protection — the brim they gave up was doing weather work, not impact work.
A Worked Example: Picking Type and Class Together
A commercial high-rise electrician whose GC mandates Type II site-wide: the Type decision is made (Type II, no substitution), so the real selection is Class. Live-circuit exposure means Class E — and here's the trap: vented shells cannot carry a Class E or G rating, because vent holes defeat the dielectric test, so vented hats are Class C (conductive-rated only). The correct buy is a non-vented Type II Class E helmet — which is exactly why the STUDSON SHK-1 non-vented and non-vented Milwaukee BOLT variants exist alongside their vented siblings. A roofer on the same site with no electrical exposure can take the vented Class C version and get the airflow. Same Type, different Class — driven by the hazard, not the catalog.
Type and Class Are Independent
Type (I/II) is impact direction; Class (E/G/C) is electrical insulation — you select both from your hazard assessment. A Type II Class E hat exists, and so does a Type I Class E. For the electrical side, see the Class E vs Class G comparison.
Type II Product Recommendations
Milwaukee BOLT Full Brim — Type II, Class E, polycarbonate, 6-pt ratchet. Read review →
VIEW ON WC SAFETY → VIEW ON AMAZON →
STUDSON SHK-1 Non-Vented — Type II, Class E, ABS polymer. Read review →
Type I Product Recommendations
MSA V-Gard Cap Style — Type I, Class E, the best-selling hard hat in the US. Read review →
Related Hard Hat Resources
- Hard Hat Selection: Complete Buyer's Guide (2026)
- Best Hard Hats Ranked (2026)
- Best Full Brim Hard Hats (2026)
- Best Cap Style Hard Hats (2026)
- Best Hard Hat for Electrical Work (2026)
- Best Safety Helmets (Type II) (2026)
- Best Made in USA Hard Hats (2026)
- Best Hard Hat for Hot Work Environments (2026)
- Cap Style vs Full Brim Hard Hat Comparison
- Type I vs Type II Hard Hat Comparison
- MSA V-Gard vs Bullard C33 Comparison
- STUDSON SHK-1 vs Milwaukee BOLT Comparison
- HDPE vs Fiberglass vs Carbon Fiber Hard Hat
- Shop All Hard Hats
- Full Brim Hard Hats
- Cap Style Hard Hats
- Vented Hard Hats
- Safety Helmets (Type II)
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a Type I and Type II hard hat?
ANSI/ISEA Z89.1 Type I hard hats protect from impacts to the top of the head only. Type II hard hats protect from impacts to both the top AND lateral (sides) of the head. Type II is the higher protection standard. See best Type II safety helmets for Type II picks.
Do I need a Type I or Type II hard hat?
It depends on your jobsite requirements and employer PPE policy. OSHA 29 CFR 1926.100 does not mandate Type II — it requires ANSI Z89.1 compliance (which Type I meets). However, many construction project owners now mandate Type II. If your site requires Type II, choose a safety helmet-style hard hat. If not, a Type I hard hat meets OSHA requirements.
Does Type II cost more than Type I?
Yes — Type II safety helmets (Milwaukee BOLT, STUDSON SHK-1, MSA V-Gard H2) typically cost more than equivalent Type I hard hats. Type II shells require more complex construction to pass both top and lateral impact tests. The premium is typically $30–80 over a comparable Type I hard hat.
Can a Type I hard hat be used where Type II is mandated?
No. If your jobsite mandates Type II, a Type I hard hat does not comply regardless of its Class E rating or other features. You must use a Type II certified hard hat. Check your specific site PPE policy.
Are all safety helmets Type II?
No — but most modern safety helmets (dome-profile hard hats) are Type II. Traditional flat-top hard hats are usually Type I. Some dome-profile helmets may still be Type I. Always verify the ANSI type certification on the specific product, not the shell shape alone.
What is the lateral impact test for Type II?
ANSI/ISEA Z89.1 Type II testing includes an off-center (oblique) drop test that creates lateral impact on the side of the head, in addition to the vertical drop test used for Type I. The hard hat must transmit less than the maximum force to the test headform in both test positions. Type I hard hats are only tested with the vertical drop.
Do Type II hard hats provide better protection in all situations?
Type II provides additional protection against lateral impacts — but this protection is only meaningful if lateral impact is a realistic hazard at your site. For indoor manufacturing where falling objects are the primary hazard, the lateral impact protection of Type II is rarely triggered. For construction environments with swinging objects, formwork, and equipment at head height, Type II provides meaningful additional protection.
What are the most popular Type II hard hats?
The most popular Type II hard hats are the Milwaukee BOLT, STUDSON SHK-1, and MSA V-Gard H2. See best safety helmets guide for full reviews.
Does Type I or Type II matter more than the Class rating (E, G, C)?
Both matter for different hazards. The Class rating addresses electrical protection — Class E (20kV) is required for electrical trade regardless of Type. The Type rating addresses impact protection — Type II is required where lateral impacts are mandated. You must meet both the required Type AND Class for your specific environment.
Are Type II hard hats approved by OSHA?
Yes — OSHA 29 CFR 1926.100 accepts any ANSI Z89.1 certified hard hat (Type I or Type II). Type II is compliant with OSHA. It exceeds OSHA's minimum standard.
Can I wear a Type II hard hat if my site only requires Type I?
Yes — a Type II hard hat meets and exceeds the Type I requirement. There is no downside to wearing Type II on a site that only requires Type I. You get additional lateral impact protection at the cost of a higher purchase price.
What does a Type I hard hat look like vs a Type II?
Traditional flat-top hard hats with a visor and flat crown are almost always Type I. Modern dome-profile safety helmets (resembling a climbing or bicycle helmet) are typically Type II. However, shape alone is not a reliable indicator — always check the ANSI Z89.1 certification label inside the hat.
What foam is used in Type II hard hats?
Typically expanded polypropylene (EPP) or expanded polystyrene (EPS), bonded inside the shell. The foam crushes on lateral impact and absorbs energy before it reaches the suspension — it is the component that passes the Z89.1 lateral test.
Should I replace a Type II hard hat after an impact?
Yes. After any significant impact the foam liner may be permanently compressed even when the shell shows no damage, and compressed foam looks identical to intact foam. Do not return a struck hat to service.
Can I add foam to a Type I hard hat to make it Type II?
No. Type II certification applies to the complete tested assembly — shell, foam liner, and suspension together. Retrofitting foam into a Type I shell does not create a certified Type II hat; buy a complete certified assembly.
About This Comparison
Steven Eaton is the lead safety equipment reviewer at WC Safety, specializing in ANSI/ISEA Z89.1 head protection and industrial PPE.
By WC Safety Editorial · About WC Safety
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