Hard Hats & Safety Helmets

About Hard Hats & Safety Helmets

Hard hats and safety helmets are essential personal protective equipment designed to protect against head injuries from falling objects, impacts, and electrical hazards. Whether working on construction sites, in industrial environments, or carrying out maintenance tasks, approved head protection is both a legal requirement under HSE regulations and critical for workplace safety. MyToolShed.co.uk offers a comprehensive range of hard hats and safety helmets from trusted brands including DeWalt and Portwest, covering everything from basic EN 397 standard hard hats to advanced safety helmets with integrated ventilation and accessory mounting systems.

This category includes hard hats for general construction use, specialist safety helmets for work at height meeting EN 12492 standards, electrically insulating helmets rated to EN 50365 for electrical work, and a full range of accessories including visors, chin straps, ear defenders, and replacement harnesses. Browse the subcategories to find head protection suitable for your specific trade and working conditions.

Applications

Hard hats and safety helmets are essential across numerous trades and industries:

• Construction workers – builders, bricklayers, and site labourers working with overhead hazards
• Electricians (sparkies) – requiring electrically insulated helmets for live installations up to 1000V AC
• Scaffolders – working at height with risks from dropped tools and materials
• Carpenters (chippies) – operating on sites with multiple overhead trades
• Plumbers and heating engineers – working in confined spaces and under pipework
• Demolition contractors – requiring high-impact protection in hazardous environments
• Factory and warehouse workers – operating near machinery and overhead loads
• Arborists and tree surgeons – needing integrated face and hearing protection
• Site visitors and management – anyone entering construction sites, even temporarily

Choosing The Right Hard Hats & Safety Helmets

Identify the hazards: Determine whether you need protection against falling objects (EN 397), side impacts for work at height (EN 12492), or electrical hazards (EN 50365). Standard construction hard hats meet EN 397, whilst more demanding applications require enhanced protection.

Comfort and fit: Look for adjustable ratchet harness systems that allow precise sizing. Ventilated designs improve comfort during warm weather or physical work. Lightweight helmets reduce neck fatigue during prolonged wear.

Accessory compatibility: If you need to attach ear defenders, face shields, or headlamps, ensure your helmet has appropriate mounting slots. MyToolShed.co.uk stocks complete systems where accessories are guaranteed compatible.

Replacement schedule: Most hard hats require replacement every 3-5 years from the date of manufacture, or sooner if damaged or subjected to impact. Check the manufacturer's recommendations marked inside the shell.

Safety Information

Inspect your helmet before each use for cracks, dents, or degradation. Even minor damage can compromise protection. Replace any helmet that has sustained a significant impact, even if no visible damage is apparent. Never wear baseball caps or beanies under hard hats, as this interferes with the suspension system's ability to absorb impact forces. Clean helmets with mild soap and water only—solvents and strong chemicals can degrade the shell material. Store away from direct sunlight, heat sources, and chemicals, as UV exposure accelerates degradation.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long do hard hats last before they need replacing?

Most manufacturers recommend replacing hard hats every 5 years from the date of manufacture marked inside the shell. However, helmets exposed to harsh conditions, chemicals, or UV radiation may need replacing sooner—sometimes after 2-3 years. Always replace any helmet that has sustained an impact or shows signs of cracking or brittleness.

Do hard hats protect against electrical shocks?

Standard hard hats meeting EN 397 offer limited electrical insulation tested to 440V AC. For electrical work on live installations, you need a helmet specifically meeting EN 50365, which provides insulation up to 1000V AC or 1500V DC. These electrically insulating helmets are clearly marked with a voltage rating and electrical hazard symbol.

Can I wear a hard hat over a baseball cap?

No, you should never wear anything between your head and the hard hat's suspension system except manufacturer-approved accessories such as winter liners. Adding extra layers interferes with the suspension system's ability to absorb and distribute impact forces, significantly reducing protection.