Electrician Apprentice HQ #1 Online Resource For Becoming An Electrician 
Last updated on February 27th, 2024.
Let’s face it, wearing hard hats isn’t the greatest thing about being an electrician or working in construction. I’ve never enjoyed wearing mine, but I can say that it’s saved my brain bucket from getting whacked by pipes or poked by threaded rod.
In the rush of meeting deadlines on construction sites, it’s easy for us electricians to sideline our own safety. It’s crucial, however, to shift our mindset and place safety at the forefront of our priorities. Protecting yourself isn’t just about following rules; it’s about ensuring you go home in the same condition you arrived.
On a typical construction site there are lots of situations that can easily cause injury to your head or even sudden death.
In this guide, we’ll cover the most important characteristics of any hard hat used while performing electrical work.
If you want to jump straight to the best electricians hard hat – go with the MSA Electricians Hard Hat (or the Pyramex hard hat if you’re looking for something a bit cheaper. Just remember that MSA is made in the USA, so you’re getting a premium product while supporting local businesses).
Here’s a good photo illustrating the power of a good electrician’s hard hat (I bet he was glad he kept his on).
Wearing Hard Hats on the Job Site
Did you know that the construction industry has the highest number of traumatic brain injuries (TBI) of any work place?
Seriously.
The Bureau of Labor and Statistics (BLS) surveyed construction workers who sustained head injuries, and a whopping 84% of those surveyed were not wearing head protection.
That’s not a small number considering that OSHA 1926.100(a) mandates:
Due to the need of safety in all construction sites, the ANSI (American National Standards Institute) and OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) provide strict regulations and requirements for using hard hats.
Before a hard helmet is cleared for public use, it had to meet the minimum requirements set by ANSI and OSHA.
Basic Hard Hat Information
Each hard hat has to have the following information labelled clearly inside the hat:
- The Manufacturer’s name clearly written
- The date of manufacture of the hat
- Size range for fitting of the hat
- The ANSI type the hat belongs to either (type I) or (type II)
- The ANSI standard of built that the hat conforms to. E.g. “ANSI Z89.1-2003”
- Class designation
According to ANSI/ISEA , hard hat electrical performance is divided into three different categories:
- General (G) – for areas with voltage levels up to 2,200 volts, phase to ground. This is the most common hard hat on construction sites.
- E (Electrical) – reduces the danger of contact with voltages up to 20,000 volts, phase to ground. These hard hats are used by utility workers who are commonly exposed to high voltage environments on a daily basis.
- C (Conductive) – zero protection against electrical hazards
Hard Hat Do’s and Don’ts
- The hat should fit snugly without being too tight.
- You should clean and inspect your hard hat regularly according to the manufacturer’s
instructions. - Check the hat for cracks, dents, frayed straps, and dulling of the finish – these conditions can reduce protection.
- Use only mild soap and water for cleaning – heavy-duty cleaners and other chemicals can damage the hat.
- Don’t use your hard hat as a locker when you’re wearing it – the space between the inside harness and the top of the hard hat must remain open to protect you.
- Do not put stickers on your hat (the glue can weaken the electrician helmet) and keep it out of direct sunlight. If you want to express your personality, hard hats come in many colors and can be imprinted with custom designs by the manufacturer.
The Most Comfortable Hard Hats For Electricians
The Top Hard Hat Grievance? Comfort. While ANSI standards are crucial for safety, let’s be honest—when you’re looking for the best hard hat, comfort is king. You want something that feels good to wear all day, without compromising on safety.
Choosing the right hard hat is a balancing act between weight and safety. Consider the nature of your work and opt for a hat that doesn’t weigh you down but still shields you effectively. The right fit not only enhances safety but also comfort throughout your day.
When you first started working for your company they probably gave you a hard hat which is great.
But sometimes it’s a chintzy piece of garbage that feels like a Bob the Builder hard hat you’d give your kid to play with.
If it’s not against your company policy, why not get something more comfortable? Typically for less than $20 you can buy a new and more comfortable hard hat.
I used Amazon as the basis for my product research because who doesn’t trust Amazon product reviews? Here are the best hard hats with the highest reviews.
Full Brim Hard Hats
Pyramex Black Full Brim Style 4 Point Ratchet Suspension Hard Hat
Features:
- Shell constructed from high-density polyethylene materials
- Low profile design
- Rain trough on side and back of this electricians helmet channel moisture away
- Ratchet suspension is easy to adjust and allows the wearer to modify the fit while wearing a hard hat
- 8 colors available
The soft brow pad is replaceable and washable. It sits relatively low on your head and also has “universal accessory slots” that fit cap mounted ear muffs and chin straps.
You pick this bad boy up extremely cheap on Amazon.
Fibre-Metal by Honeywell E1RW11A000 Super Eight Full Brim Ratchet Hard Hat, Black
The exclusive smooth crown design contains a technically advanced suspension with eight load bearing points to stabilize and balance the hard hat during everyday wear.
On impact, the Super Eight impact energy control system dissipates force by reducing it to smaller increments and spreading it over a greater area.
Features:
- Fiber Metal Heavy Duty, Roughneck P1 Series injection-molded Fiberglass Full Brim Hard Hat
- Suspension and a frontal Terry Fabric Sweatband
- Ratchet suspension
The P1 also comes in a “matte” finish if shiny isn’t your thing. Check it out on Amazon here.
MSA 475407 Natural Tan Skullgard Hard Hat with Fas-Trac Suspension
The Skullgard is designed to offer outstanding protection in hot and dangerous industries. They set the standard for protection in environments such as steel mills and other industrial environments.
Skullgard helmets have been tested to radiant heat loads producing temperatures up to, but not exceeding 350F.
Features:
- Skullgard helmets have been tested to radiant heat loads producing temperatures up to, but not exceeding, 350F.
- ANSI/CSA Type I Compliant, Protects from vertical impacts and penetrations
- ANSI/ISEA Z89.1-2014 (Class G) Compliant, provides dielectric protection up to 2,200 volts (excellent hard hat for electrical work)
- Equipped with Fast-Trac III ratchet-style suspension for easy fast size adjustment and all-day comfort
- Standard Size, Fits from 6 12″ to 8″
This hard hat is top-shelf quality and gets ready to pay for it. Personally I’m fine with the two previous options, but this is the #1 Best Seller which means it’s probably worth the money.
This king’s crown retails for a great price on Amazon.
Cap Hard Hats For Electricians
Pyramex Safety Products HP14111 Sl Series 4 Pt. Ratchet Suspension Hard Hat
This is a basic, durable, lightweight hard hat. It comes in a variety of 14 colors so you can pick which one to best piss off your foreman.
Features:
- Highly durable
- Made in the USA
- Ratchet suspension adjusts size quickly and easily
- Nylon crown suspension straps fit comfortably
- Balanced for all-day wear
This one sells for a great price on Amazon.
Fibre-Metal Injection Molded Roughneck Fiberglass Hard Hat with 8-point Ratchet Suspension
Features:
- ANSI Type 1 hard hat
- Cap class C and G
- 8-point super eight suspensions provides added comfort and impact protection
- Solid color resin provides a permanent, no-chip and no-peel finish
- Eight times stronger than common high-density polyethylene cap shells
The name says this hard hat is fiberglass but it isn’t – it’s plastic. However, Honeywell created a “proprietary injection-molded fiberglass compound” that is much stronger than the common plastics found in most industrial hard hats.
Currently selling very cheap on Amazon.
MSA 475395 Skullgard Protective Cap W/ Fas-Trac III Suspension
The Skullgard Cap is designed to offer outstanding protection in hot and dangerous industries. This hat is ideal for those working in environments such as steel mills and other industrial environments, that don’t require a full brim.
Features:
- Skullgard electrician helmets have been tested to radiant heat loads producing temperatures up to, but not exceeding, 350F.
- ANSI/CSA Type I Compliant, Protects from vertical impacts and penetrations
- ANSI/ISEA Z89.1-2014 (Class G) Compliant, provides dielectric protection up to 2,200 volts (great hard hat for electrical work)
- Equipped with Fast-Trac III ratchet-style suspension for easy fast size adjustment and all-day comfort
- Standard Size, Fits from 6 12″ to 8
Just like it’s big brother, it has a high price point too.
Although a bit pricier than other options, it’s well worth the extra spend. You can get it at a good price on Amazon.
Please remember to always take care of yourself at work. Safety isn’t just your employer’s responsibility, it’s yours too. Any suggestions for hard hat swag or accessories the rest of us should know about? Leave a comment below.
