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What Types of Safety Hats Are Used in Australia?

Australian safety hats are classified under AS/NZS 1801 into different types based on specific workplace hazards. Type 1 helmets are for general industrial use, Type 2 helmets are for high-temperature environments, and Type 3 helmets are for bushfire fighting. While helmet type is an important starting point, factors such as ventilation, materials, fit systems, accessories, and specific workplace conditions may also influence the most suitable helmet choice.

What Standard Applies to Safety Hats in Australia?

Safety hats used on Australian worksites must meet AS/NZS 1801:1997, the standard for occupational protective helmets. This standard covers hard hats used in building, construction, quarrying, shipbuilding, forestry, and similar workplaces where falling objects are a risk. While the standard classifies helmets into different types based on hazard exposure, selecting the right helmet may also involve considering comfort, ventilation, materials, accessory compatibility, and the specific environment the helmet will be used in.

The standard includes requirements for:

  • Helmet shell construction
  • Helmet materials
  • Head harness performance
  • Mechanical strength
  • Helmet finish
  • Resistance to impact and penetration

Bunzl Safety & Lifting supplies a wide range of certified head protection products for Australian worksites.

Their Frontier range includes vented and non-vented designs, shade attachments, and Clearview helmet options designed for different workplace conditions. All helmets and accessories are certified to meet AS/NZS 1801:1997

AS/NZS 1801 sets the performance requirements for occupational safety hats in Australia.

What Are the Main Types of Safety Hats?

Under AS/NZS 1801:1997, occupational safety helmets are commonly classified into three types. These types reflect different workplace hazards and performance needs.

The three helmet types are:

  • Type 1: General Industrial Safety Helmets
  • Type 2: Helmets for High-Temperature Workplaces
  • Type 3: Helmets for Bushfire Fighting

Each type must meet specific safety requirements. These include shock absorption, penetration resistance, side stiffness, and ignition resistance.

Safety hat types are based on the hazards present in the workplace.

What Is a Type 1 Safety Helmet?

A Type 1 safety helmet is designed for general industrial use. This is the most common type of safety helmet used across Australian worksites.

Type 1 helmets are suitable for industries such as:

  • Construction
  • Warehousing
  • Manufacturing
  • Quarrying
  • Shipbuilding
  • General industrial maintenance

Many Type 1 helmets are also available in different configurations depending on workplace needs. For example, Bunzl Safety & Lifting’s Fronter Type 1 hard hats are manufactured from ABS plastic and are designed to provide lightweight comfort, durability, and all-day wearability in Australian conditions.

Type 1 helmets are designed to protect the wearer’s head from falling objects and workplace impacts. They must meet requirements for shock absorption, penetration resistance, side stiffness, and resistance to ignition.

Many standard hard hats available through Bunzl Safety & Lifting are designed for these general industrial environments. These helmets support everyday head protection needs across high-risk worksites.

Type 1 helmets are the standard choice for general industrial head protection.

What Is a Type 2 Safety Helmet?

A Type 2 safety helmet is intended for high-temperature workplaces. These helmets are designed for environments where heat exposure is a major safety concern.

Type 2 helmets may be used in industries such as:

  • Foundries
  • Smelting operations
  • High-heat manufacturing
  • Furnace work
  • Hot industrial processing

Type 2 helmets must meet all Type 1 performance requirements. They must also meet additional heat-related performance requirements.

These can include:

  • Performance at very hot temperatures (120ºC)
  • Performance at extremely high temperatures (200ºC)
  • Thermal performance of the helmet shell

Type 2 helmets are suitable for high-temperature environments, often using heat-resistant materials such as polycarbonate.

Some Type 2 helmets, including Clearview-style designs, use polycarbonate construction to provide heat resistance while also improving visibility and UV protection. In hot environments, ventilation, shell material, and wearer comfort may all influence helmet selection alongside the helmet classification itself.

Type 2 safety helmets are designed for high-temperature workplaces where standard helmets may not be enough.

What Is a Type 3 Safety Helmet?

A Type 3 safety helmet is intended for bushfire fighting. These helmets are designed for more extreme outdoor emergency conditions.

Type 3 helmets must meet both the requirements of Type 1 and Type 2. They also include additional performance expectations for bushfire environments.

Type 3 helmet requirements may include:

  • Shock absorption
  • Penetration resistance
  • Side stiffness
  • Resistance to ignition
  • High-temperature performance (120ºC)
  • Thermal shell performance
  • Retaining chin strap strength

As bushfire environments involve heat, smoke, movement, and emergency response, helmet retention is critical. A strong chin strap helps keep the helmet secure during active movement.

Type 3 helmets are specialist helmets for bushfire fighting and emergency response conditions.
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About Bunzl Safety and Lifting

Bunzl Safety and Lifting offers an integrated approach to the selection, supply, service, and replacement of safety products, resulting in our ability to manage the complete life cycle of your personal and workplace safety requirements. Bunzl Safety and Lifting is a leading manufacturer of safety products, we provide the very best in workwear, corporate wear, PPE, footwear, materials handling, load restraint, and recovery,height safety, and site safety. We are also a leading supplier of some of the best industrial safety brands on the market, including Mack, Ninja, Contego, Boomerang, Beaver, B-Safe, WS Workwear, Frontier, Black Rat, Robertsons, 3M, Honeywell, Ansell, Bolle Safety, DuPont, Donaghys, MSA, Moldex, Steel Blue, Oliver, uvex, Sqwincher, MaxiFlex, DNC Workwear, Mayo Hardware, Gunnebo Industries, Skylotech and Blundstone. We also offer a range of services including product specialisation and consolidation, custom embroidery and branding, lifting equipment and inspections, NATA Accredited testing and services, height safety installed systems and training, managed inventory, eCommerce and digital solutions, clothing fitouts and yearly uniform issues, ethical sourcing, Indigenous Engagement, and environmental responsibility. We have an Australia-wide network of branches that ensures fast shipping across the country.

Bunzl Brands & Operations Pty Ltd (BBO) located at 55 Sarah Andrews Close Erskine Park NSW 2579 quality scope covers: manufacturing, importing, wholesaling, repairing and testing of lifting, rigging equipment, winches, hoists and materials handling products. The manufacture of synthetic slings and webbing products including load restraint and height safety equipment. Manufacture, import, wholesale and distribution of PPE products, workwear and hand tools. Design and development of products and services and the provision of mechanical testing services.