When buying industrial head protection, one of the most important questions is whether the job requires Type I or Type II protection.
The difference is not simply helmet shape. It relates to the direction of impact protection tested under ANSI/ISEA Z89.1.
Hero Image: Type I and Type II industrial safety helmet comparison
Image Alt Text: Type I vs Type II Safety Helmet Side Impact Protection
What Is the Difference Between Type I and Type II?
Under ANSI/ISEA Z89.1:
Type I helmets are designed for impact protection at the top of the head.
Type II helmets include additional lateral impact performance requirements involving impacts from the front, rear and sides as well as the top. ISEA also notes additional Type II criteria such as off-center penetration and retention requirements.
This makes Type II an important option where workplace hazards are not limited to falling objects above.
When Should Buyers Consider Type II?
Type II protection may be worth evaluating where workers face:
Type II is not automatically the best helmet for every job. ISEA recommends selecting head protection according to the actual hazard assessment rather than assuming one helmet type is universally safest.
By comparison, W-018 and W-003 are positioned for Type I applications, so they should not be presented as substitutes when a tender specifically requires Type II. Safetoe's current selection guidance identifies W-6000 as the Type II option for high-risk side-impact environments.
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Need Type I or Type II safety helmets for projects or wholesale purchasing? Contact SAFETOE for certification details, samples and quotations.
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