Type 1 vs. Type 2 Safety Helmets

Type 1 vs. type 2 safety helmets

July 24, 2025
By HexArmor, for the Blue Print

Safety helmets have long been gaining attention across American worksites. The main topic in 2025? The difference between Type 1 and Type 2 safety helmets.

Why? Evolving requirements and increasing pressure on product effectiveness make understanding the choice more necessary than ever. Not to mention when it comes to protecting your most important asset – your head – safety isn’t an option, it’s a mandate.

We’re here to ensure you “head” in the right direction when making an informed decision about your team's safety helmets. Let’s break down the technical nuances of Type 1 versus Type 2 helmets, decode the OSHA and ANSI regulations shaping these standards, and offer some general application insight into how these helmets are used.

The rise of the type 2 safety helmet

Over the past decade, workplace safety standards have continued to evolve, and with them, so has head protection. Traditional Type 1 helmets – designed primarily for protection against falling objects – have long been the industry norm. However, as research into head injuries expands and job site risks become better understood, Type 2 helmets are gaining traction as the preferred choice in many high-risk environments.

One of the biggest factors driving this shift is the increased awareness of lateral impact injuries, which can result from slips, trips, falls, and struck-by incidents. These types of injuries often occur when workers come into contact with machinery, structures, or moving equipment - scenarios where traditional Type 1 helmets offer little to no protection.

While OSHA does not mandate Type 2 helmets, more safety managers and employers are proactively requiring them to provide workers with enhanced protection. As safety standards evolve and helmet technology improves, the shift toward Type 2 helmets continues to gain momentum. But what are the true differences in protection between the two types of helmets? Let’s break it down.

Type 1 vs. type 2: The differences at a glance

With more workplaces adopting Type 2 helmets for added protection, it’s important to understand the differences between Type 1 helmets and when each should be used. The key difference comes down to how each type is designed to absorb and distribute impact forces.

Type 1: Designed to protect against impact forces from a blow to the top of the head.

Type 2: Designed to protect against a blow to the top, front, back, and sides of the head.

Both helmet types meet ANSI/ISEA Z89.1 safety standards, but Type 2 helmets feature additional lateral impact protection, reinforced padding, and a more robust shell construction to absorb and disperse impact energy from multiple directions.

By understanding these differences, safety managers can make informed decisions about which helmet type best suits their work environment and risk factors.

Breaking down safety helmet standards: Testing, design, and regulations

The differences between Type 1 and Type 2 helmets go beyond just impact protection—they are also defined by specific testing and regulatory considerations outlined in ANSI/ISEA Z89.1-2014 (American National Standard for Industrial Head Protection). While both helmet types must meet baseline safety criteria, Type 2 helmets undergo additional testing to ensure lateral impact protection.

OSHA vs. ANSI

You may have heard of OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) regulations regarding head protection, but it’s important to clarify that OSHA does not set helmet standards—it enforces them. OSHA’s 29 CFR 1910.135 (for general industry) and 29 CFR 1926.100 (for construction) mandate that employers provide helmets that meet ANSI/ISEA Z89.1 standards to protect workers from falling objects and impact hazards. However, it is up to safety managers and employers to determine whether a Type 1 or Type 2 helmet is best suited for their specific work environment.

How type 2 helmets are tested differently

To ensure enhanced protection, Type 2 helmets must pass additional testing beyond what’s required for Type 1 helmets, including:

Impact resistance: Both helmet types are tested for top impacts but Type 2 helmets must also pass side-impact tests to ensure they provide protection against lateral forces.
Penetration resistance: Type 2 helmets must resist penetration from sharp objects not only from above but also from the sides.
Chinstrap recommendation: While neither OSHA nor ANSI/ISEA Z89.1-2014 requires chin straps on Type 2 helmets, it is strongly recommended that chinstraps are added to both Type 1 and Type 2 helmets to keep head protection secure during sudden movements, slips, or impacts.

Key design and construction differences?

Type 1 helmets: Typically have an internal suspension system to absorb vertical impact forces.

Type 2 helmets: Feature additional padding and a more robust suspension system to distribute impact forces from multiple directions.

For safety managers and employers, understanding the testing distinctions is key to choosing the right helmet for their work environment.

General applications for type 1 and type 2 helmets

The right helmet choice depends on the specific risks present in a work environment. Type 1 and Type 2 helmets are designed to protect against different types of impact, and understanding their applications can help ensure the right level of protection for the job.

Please note the following is not meant to be used for safety compliance. Only your site’s safety manager can accurately determine what type of safety helmet is to be used.

Protection from falling objects: If a work environment’s primary risk is falling objects, debris, or tools from above, a Type 1 helmet provides the necessary top-impact protection. These helmets are commonly used in environments where the likelihood of lateral impacts is low, but overhead hazards are a concern.

Lateral impact risks: In environments where workers face potential side, front, or rear impacts, such as moving equipment, confined spaces, or unpredictable work zones, Type 2 helmets offer added protection beyond top impact resistance.

Working at heights: Any task that involves elevated work surfaces, such as scaffolding, platforms, or structures, increases the risk of falls or falling objects.

For working at heights, we strongly recommend wearing a helmet with a chinstrap. Helmets with chin straps help ensure head protection stays securely in place, reducing the risk of secondary injuries from dislodged headgear.

If the primary concern is falling objects from above, a Type 1 helmet may be sufficient. However, if there is a risk of lateral impacts, a Type 2 helmet is recommended.

Slip, trip, and fall hazards: Worksites, where unstable surfaces, uneven terrain, or high-movement tasks are common, can increase the risk of falls. Type 2 helmets absorb impact from multiple angles, providing additional protection in the event of a struck-by incident or ground-level fall.

For work environments where only top-impact risks exist, a Type 1 helmet may be appropriate.

Electrical exposure: When working near live wires, power lines, or electrical equipment, Class E helmets provide necessary insulation against electrical shocks. It’s important to note that vented helmets should not be used in these environments, as they do not offer the same level of protection against electrical contact.

Both Type 1 and Type 2 helmets are available with Class E ratings, so selecting the right one depends on whether additional lateral protection is needed.

Final thoughts

At the end of the day, choosing the right head protection comes down to a safety manager’s assessment of the on-site risks. Ensuring workers have the right helmets for their specific work environment can make all the difference in preventing serious injuries.

Are you using the right head safety equipment? Reach out to your Fastenal rep for more information!

Content originally from HexArmor. Reused here with permission.