If you’ve been in the industry a while you know the ever-changing cycle of regulations you’re required to meet. From fall protection to air quality mitigation. And, safety helmet regulations are no stranger to change! As of January 23, 2023 many Minnesota general contractors will be making a hard hat requirement change. This change is becoming widely implemented around the United States providing your crew with additional protection. It requires you to wear a specific hard hat type on their jobsites. According to the new regulation, you must wear a safety helmet that meets one of two standards, both providing lateral impact protection. First, is a helmet that meets the ANSI Z89.1-2014 Standard, Type II. If a safety helmet does not meet that standard then it must meet the EN 12492 Standard, Type I.
What does this mean for you?
You’ll want to make sure you understand this regulation change especially if it’s a change on one of your jobsites. This change is about crew safety, as a company you might even think about making the switch even if it’s not required on one of your jobsites. Take every precaution to ensure your crew comes home each night. I will dive deeper into the new safety helmet regulation so you can make decisions best for your jobs and crew.
The New Safety Helmet Regulation… In A Nutshell
The new safety helmet regulation states that you must wear a helmet that meets the ANSI Z89.1-2014 Standard, Type II standard or the EN 12492 Standard, Type I. Both standards requiring effective side impact protection.
ANSI Z89.1-2014 Standard, Type II
As a general rule of thumb, hardhats should absorb the impact of blows to the head, as well as serve as an insulator against electric shocks. Additionally, they need to be water resistant, slow burning and shield the scalp and face. ANSI Z89.1 ensures hard hats with this standard can hold up to these anticipated forces through rigorous testing of the helmets.
The performance requirements have not changed. The core requirements for an industrial hard hat follows:
- Resist penetration and deflect blows to the head.
- Possess a suspension system that can absorb the force of impact.
- Serve as an insulator against electrical shocks (when applicable).
- Material is water-resistant and slow-burning.
- Shield the scalp, face, neck and shoulders.
Although the core requirements have not changed, ANSI Z89.1 modified to following areas in the testing and manufacturing of hard hats meeting this standard:
- Resist penetration and deflect blows to the head.
- Possess a suspension system that can absorb the force of impact.
- Serve as an insulator against electrical shocks (when applicable).
- Material is water-resistant and slow-burning.
- Shield the scalp, face, neck and shoulders.
Furthermore, the Type II piece of the new safety helmet regulation change on jobsites states it must meet top/lateral protection. Top/lateral impact requirements (required for Type II helmets) reduce the force of an object that may directly impact the top of the head, and are required to reduce the force from a side blow to other parts of the head.
EN 12492 Standard, Type I
Comparable to the ANSI Z89.1-2014 in many ways, the EN 12492 standard has a few distinguishing requirements of it’s own. This standard, set in Europe for climber safety, is their mountaineering standard. A safety helmet has to meet 5 major requirements to qualify for the the EN 12492 mountaineering safety helmet standard.
1. Field of vision – The safety helmet does not interfere with the users field of vision.
2. Extent of coverage – Makes sure the safety helmet covers all necessary parts of the user’s head.
3. Shock absorbing capacity – The impact cannot exceed 10kN of transmitted force through the headform. To achieve this the safety helmet is equipped with Mips technology. Mips Elevate safety system is a low-friction layer that slides multi-directionally upon angled impact with the intention of reducing the transmission of rotational force to the head. The Mips system reduces costly effects of those angled impacts on the jobsite. We’re not talking only financial costs but additionally, costly in the safety of your crew. Learn more about this in our Mips Safety Helmet post.
4. Resistance to penetration – These helmets are made to protect against sharp falling sharp objects from above. Furthermore, they’re tested to ensure an object dropped from 1 meter high does not penetrate the helmet to the head.
5. Retention System Performance – The webbings have the ability to keep the helmet securely positioned on the head during work movements and impact.
Informed Buying
Now that you have more knowledge regarding these two standards you can make informed decisions when you’re buying hard hats. If you need a refresher on what different hard hat types mean, you can read our A Hard Hat Explained blog post. Or, simply download our Hard Hat 101 sheet here:
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A Peek at 2 Safety Helmets That Meet the New Regulation
PIP Traverse Safety Helmet
The PIP Traverse Safety helmet is tested and approved for both the ANSI Z89.1, Type II and the EN 12492, Type I standards. Meaning, this meets the new safety helmet regulations put into place! This helmet is unique in not only the look of the futuristic x-wing starfighter but it’s lightweight and sleek design also paired with Mips Technology. These helmets provide your crew with one of the safest solutions in head protection on the market today.
It wouldn’t be PIP without meeting many different safety requirements and going above & beyond with their safety equipment. With that said, the Traverse helmets are no exception.
- ANSI Z89.1-2014 Type II and EN 12492 Shock Absorbing Capacity.
- Retention System Strength.
- Electrical insulation class E for their non-vented option (280-HP1491RVM). And, class C for their vented version (280-HP149RM).
- Ultra-lightweight polycarbonate/ABS material.
- MIPs technology absorbing impact from multi-dimensional hits.
- Eye shield & eye shield protector (optional accessory add on).
- Adjustable fit and more!
Take a look at some of the unique features of this safety helmet:
Ergodyne Skullerz MIPS Safety Helmet
The Skullerz 8974-MIPS Safety Helmet is a Class E Safety Helmet with integrated Mips® technology is another industry leading helmet. Unlike traditional hard hats and safety helmets which are designed primarily to protect against direct impacts, this safety helmet features Mips technology. Mips protects your head from angled impacts, which is a common form of impact that occurs upon falling or contact.
Like other Skullerz Safety Helmets, this Mips helmet provides heavy-duty yet lightweight and comfortable head protection. It shields the front, back, top and sides of your head from falls, dropped objects or bumping into stationary objects. In addition, the compact helmet design increases all-over impact protection and improves visibility. And, a chin to strap ensure the helmet remains secure to your head upon impact or sudden movement.
Whether you’re effected by this new safety helmet regulation or not it’s important to keep your crew safe. MIPS technology makes hard hats today, the safest in the industry. With that said, you always need a hard hat on a jobsite, Mips or not. Remember to Replace outdated or damaged hard hats and do your research on different types of hats. Because at the end of the day we all want our crew to make it home safe.
Shopping? Check out our hard hats. Of course if you don’t see what you need give us a call and we’ll find it.
CONTACT YOUR SAFETY EXPERTS AT MC TOOL & SAFETY FOR TOP-NOTCH SAFETY EQUIPMENT
To get everyone home safe, give us a call now at 763-786-5350, or toll-free at 888-206-2569.
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