A hard hat is a type of helmet predominantly used in workplace environments such as construction sites to protect the head from injury such as from falling objects, debris and bad weather. They are typically required personal protective equipment where heavy labor is being performed. They used to be made out of metal, but since the 1960s, rigid plastic is the preferred material.

Its lower edge sometimes has a small gutter to catch rainwater and shed it off the front peak and not down inside the wearer's coat neck.

They can sometimes be fitted with these accessories:-

• A visor like in a riotsquad helmet but thinner.
• A welding visor.
• Ear protectors.
• A Helmet Light Mount, to provide more light in low-light conditions while letting the wearer work with both his hands free.

Blue-collar workers who engage in heavy professions that require protective equipment are often called hard hats.

"Hardhat diving" is sometimes used as a nickname for diving in Standard diving dress.

Notable items

• The original 'Hard-Boiled hat' (patented in 1919 by E. D. Bullard) was manufactured out of steamed canvas, glue and black paint and became the worlds' first, commercially-available, industrial head-protection device.
• America's first designated "Hard Hat Area" was set up at the San Francisco Golden Gate Bridge construction site.
• In 1938, E. D. Bullard Company, California, designed and manufactured the first aluminum hard hat.

See also

• Goggles
• Protective clothing
• Steel-toe boots
• Safety engineering

Construction | Helmets | Safety clothing