Safety Helmets

Helmet or hard hat

A traditional hard hat is a shell on a suspension, tested for impact to the top of the head. It has served for decades and it still suits plenty of work.

A safety helmet borrows from climbing and cycling design. It adds an energy-absorbing liner inside the shell, a chin strap that keeps it on the head, and Type 2 certification for lateral impact.

The difference shows up in the injuries that actually happen on modern sites. Falls from height, slips into fixed objects, swinging loads and vehicle strikes are lateral events. A hard hat handles the dropped-object hazard and leaves the rest.

What Koroyd does

Koroyd is a welded tube structure bonded inside the shell. On impact the tubes crush in a controlled way and absorb the energy, rather than transmitting it to the head.

It is also open, so air moves through it. That is why the vented models run noticeably cooler than a solid shell, which matters more than most specifications on a Florida summer site.

Type and Class, briefly

Type 1 covers top impact only. Type 2 adds lateral. Class G is tested to 2,200 volts, Class E to 20,000 volts, and Class C offers no electrical protection because it is vented.

That last point is the trade at the centre of the decision. A vented helmet is far cooler and carries no electrical rating. If a worker could contact an energized conductor, they need Class E and they cannot have vents. The PPE buying guide covers this in more detail.

Chin straps change behaviour

A four-point chin strap keeps the helmet in place during a fall, which is the entire point of Type 2 certification. A helmet that leaves the head on the way down protects nothing on landing.

It also stops the helmet falling off when a worker leans forward, which is the most common reason hard hats end up on the ground on a scaffold.

Buying helmets for a crew

Manufacturers typically advise replacing the suspension annually and the shell every five years from the manufacture date stamped inside. Replace immediately after any impact, because the liner is designed to be sacrificial.

Helmets are the most visible item on a crew and the best branding opportunity you have. We run custom logo printing at low minimums. Send us headcount, Type and Class requirement, and artwork.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between a safety helmet and a hard hat?

A safety helmet adds an energy-absorbing liner, a chin strap and Type 2 lateral impact certification. A hard hat is tested for top impact only and is lighter and cheaper.

What is Koroyd?

A welded tube structure bonded inside the shell. It crushes on impact to absorb energy, and its open structure lets air through, which keeps the helmet cooler.

Are vented safety helmets safe for electrical work?

No. Vented shells are Class C and carry no electrical rating. Electrical work needs an unvented Class E helmet.

How often should a safety helmet be replaced?

Manufacturers typically advise suspension annually and shell every five years from the manufacture date. Replace immediately after any impact regardless of appearance.

Can you print our logo on safety helmets?

Yes, at low minimums compared with most suppliers. We can quote it alongside a bulk order.