For most plumbers, the best hard hat is a Type II, Class E helmet such as the MSA V-Gard H2 10242635 or the Milwaukee BOLT 48-73-1301, because both protect against side blows and add a chinstrap and a headlamp mount. If a general contractor just wants a compliant hard hat on your head, the MSA V-Gard 475358 cap (Type I, Class E) is the plain, proven choice. For street and parking-lot work, add an ANSI/ISEA 107 Type R, Class 2 vest like the Ergodyne GloWear 8210HL.
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Residential service plumbers rarely wear a hard hat. Commercial rough-in, new construction, and any site where people work overhead are different. Most GCs will not let you through the gate without one. If you are also setting up the rest of your site gear, see our work boots for plumbers.
Hard hats and vests compared
| Check | MSA V-Gard 475358 | MSA V-Gard H2 10242635 | Milwaukee BOLT 48-73-1301 | Ergodyne 8210HL | Ergodyne 8210Z |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rating | ANSI Type I, Class E (MSA) | ANSI/ISEA Z89.1-2014 (R2019) Type II, Class E | ANSI/ISEA Z89.1 Type 2, Class E | ANSI/ISEA 107-2020 Type R, Class 2 | Type R, Class 2 |
| Protects | Top impact | Top and side impact | Top and side impact | Visibility | Visibility |
| Suspension or closure | Fas-Trac III ratchet | Ratchet | Padded swing ratchet | Hook and loop | Zipper |
| Chinstrap | Not listed by MSA | Integrated | Included, adjustable | n/a | n/a |
| Light mount | Accessory slots | Headlamp strap clips | BOLT headlamp mount | Radio mic tab | Radio mic tab |
| Exact purchase | Check MSA V-Gard 475358 on Amazon → | Check MSA V-Gard H2 10242635 on Amazon → | Buy from a Milwaukee dealer; no in-stock new Amazon listing on Oct 14, 2026 | Check Ergodyne 8210HL-S on Amazon → | Check Ergodyne 8210Z 3-pack on Amazon → |
Hard hat Type I vs Type II
ANSI/ISEA Z89.1 sorts hard hats by the blows they handle. MSA’s own instructions describe a Type I helmet as protection against small tools, bolts and rivets falling on top of the head. It is not designed for front, side or rear blows. Milwaukee describes its Type 2 helmets as protecting against top and side impacts.
For plumbers, the side hit matters. You stand up under a steel beam, swing around into a hanger rod or catch the edge of a ladder. On a commercial job with overhead work, many sites now require Type II. Ask the GC before you buy; the site rule wins.
Class E, G and C: the electrical rating
The class tells you about electrical protection, not impact. MSA’s instructions say Class E and Class G helmets give limited protection from electrical shock and should not be your only protection. Class C helmets give none. On MSA’s V-Gard H2, the non-vented version is Class E and the vented version is Class C. OSHA’s PPE booklet, which uses the older letter names, rates the general class to 2,200 volts and the highest electrical class to 20,000 volts.
Plumbers work near live wiring more than people think: in ceilings, above panels and around water heaters. Buy a non-vented Class E helmet unless you are sure the job has no electrical exposure. Vents feel cooler, but they drop the hat to Class C.
What OSHA requires
OSHA’s general industry rule, 1910.135, says employees must wear a protective helmet where there is a potential for head injury from falling objects, and an electrical-rated helmet near exposed conductors. The construction rule, 1926.100, covers impact, falling or flying objects and electrical shock. Both reference ANSI Z89.1-2009, -2003 or -1997, or a helmet the employer shows is at least as effective. Current helmets like the MSA V-Gard H2 are certified to the 2014 edition, reaffirmed in 2019. Look for the Z89.1 label inside the shell, with the type and class.
BEST BASIC HARD HAT · TYPE I, CLASS E
MSA V-Gard 475358: the cap every jobsite accepts
Choose it when you need a compliant hard hat for site access and you want one that fits under a cabinet or a duct run. MSA lists the 475358 as the V-Gard slotted cap in white with the Fas-Trac III ratchet suspension, and its head protection catalog rates the V-Gard cap style ANSI Type I, Class E. The side slots take MSA accessories such as earmuffs and face shields. If you want a different color, MSA lists yellow as 475360.
Skip it if the site calls for Type II, or you spend your day on ladders and lifts. MSA does not list a chinstrap for it, and a Type I hat is not built for side blows.
BEST TYPE II · CLASS E, CHINSTRAP, HEADLAMP CLIPS
MSA V-Gard H2 10242635: Type II with a familiar shape
Choose it when the job calls for Type II and you want a helmet that still looks like a hard hat. MSA rates the non-vented H2 to ANSI/ISEA Z89.1-2014 (R2019) Type II, Class E. It has an integrated chinstrap, a ratchet you can turn with gloves on, and built-in headlamp strap clips. MSA says it works with nearly all V-Gard H1 and V-Gard accessories.
The part number for white non-vented is 10242635. The Amazon listing we link is titled V-Gard H2 Pro, but it is the non-vented white helmet with part number 10242635. Check that number on the listing before you order, because the vented version looks almost the same.
Skip it if you want the vented 10242629 for summer. That version is Class C, which means no electrical protection.
BEST FOR LIGHTS AND ACCESSORIES · TYPE 2, CLASS E
Milwaukee BOLT 48-73-1301: built around a headlamp
Choose it when you work in mechanical rooms, ceilings and crawl spaces and want a light on your head. Milwaukee rates the 48-73-1301 to ANSI/ISEA Z89.1 Type 2, Class E, unvented. It comes with a BOLT headlamp mount that Milwaukee says fits most headlamps, a marker clip, and an adjustable chinstrap. It has four BOLT accessory slots and two universal slots. The sweatband and liner come out for washing.
Skip it if you want a front brim for sun. Milwaukee sells a front-brim Type 2 version, 48-73-1321.
Buy from a Milwaukee dealer; we found no in-stock new Amazon listing for the 48-73-1301 on October 14, 2026.
Lamp clips and add-ons
A headlamp is the most useful thing you can add to a hard hat. A clip or strap mount holds it so you are not fighting an elastic band over the shell. Both helmets above have one built in. On a cap like the 475358, use a lamp clip made for the slot or a strap that fits the brim.
Keep add-ons to the maker’s own parts. MSA’s instructions say not to paint the helmet, not to add stickers or labels MSA does not recommend, and not to modify it in any way. A drilled hole or a solvent-based paint can weaken the shell.
High-visibility vest: ANSI/ISEA 107 types and classes
Commercial plumbers end up in traffic more than they would like. Water taps, sewer taps in the street and work beside a parking lot all put you near moving vehicles. That is when you need a hi-vis vest.
- Type O is for off-road work, per ISEA.
- Type R is for roadway and temporary traffic control work. ISEA says Type R garments are for roadway workers exposed to traffic.
- Type P is for public safety workers such as police and firefighters.
- Class 2 or 3. The class is based on how much fluorescent and reflective material the garment has. ISEA notes that the MUTCD calls for Performance Class 2 or 3 for highway workers and flaggers.
For a plumber working in or near a street, Type R, Class 2 is the usual minimum. Some cities, utilities and night work call for Class 3. Ask the permit office or the GC; a street cut usually needs a permit and a traffic control plan anyway.
BEST HI-VIS VEST · TYPE R, CLASS 2, ANSI/ISEA 107-2020
Ergodyne GloWear 8210HL: plain Class 2 mesh vest
Choose it when you need a vest that meets Type R, Class 2 and stays cool. Ergodyne lists the 8210HL as 3.3 oz polyester mesh with 2 in. reflective tape, a hook-and-loop closure, an interior pocket, an exterior pocket and a radio mic tab. It meets ANSI/ISEA 107-2020. It comes in orange and lime, in dual sizes from XS to 5XL. The Amazon listing we link is the single-size version, 8210HL-S.
Skip it if the job or the permit calls for Class 3. This vest is Class 2.
ZIPPER VERSION · TYPE R, CLASS 2
Ergodyne GloWear 8210Z: same vest, zipper front
Choose it when hook and loop keeps popping open while you dig. Ergodyne lists the 8210Z as Type R, Class 2 to ANSI/ISEA 107-2020, with the same 3.3 oz mesh, 2 in. tape and pocket layout as the 8210HL, closed with a zipper. The Amazon listing we link is a 3-pack in lime.
Skip it if you work near rotating equipment. A zipper does not break away. A breakaway vest is safer around a running cable machine or an excavator.
Fit, care and replacement
- Size the suspension. Turn the ratchet until the hat stays on when you bend over, without a headache after an hour. Set the nape strap low on the back of the head.
- Inspect daily. OSHA’s PPE booklet calls for a daily check of the shell and suspension for cracks, holes and tears.
- Replace after any hit. OSHA says to replace a hard hat after any impact, even if you cannot see damage. Retire any shell that is cracked, deformed or chalky from sun.
- Check the date. Shells and suspensions carry a molded date. Follow the maker’s service-life guidance in the instructions that come with the helmet.
- Wash the vest. A vest covered in mud is not hi-vis. Follow the care label and replace it when the tape cracks or the color fades.
On jobs that need hearing protection under a rotary hammer or a saw, pick muffs that mount to the hat’s slots. For rotary hammer work itself, see our rotary hammer guide.
Hard hat FAQ
What type of hard hat does a plumber need?
Most commercial plumbing sites accept a Type I, Class E hard hat, and many now ask for Type II. Type II adds side impact protection. Class E gives limited electrical protection, which matters in ceilings and mechanical rooms. Check the site rules with the general contractor before you buy.
What is the difference between Class E and Class C hard hats?
Class E and Class G hard hats give limited protection from electrical shock. Class C gives none. A vented hard hat is often Class C; MSA rates its vented V-Gard H2 as Class C and the non-vented version as Class E.
Does OSHA require a Type 2 hard hat?
OSHA requires head protection that meets ANSI Z89.1 where there is a danger of head injury, and electrical protection near exposed conductors. Its rules do not require Type 2 by name. Many general contractors require Type 2 as a site rule.
How often should you replace a hard hat?
Replace it after any impact, even if you see no damage, per OSHA. Also replace it when the shell cracks, deforms or chalks, and follow the service life in the maker instructions. Inspect the shell and suspension every day.
What class of high visibility vest do I need for street work?
For work in or near a roadway, use an ANSI/ISEA 107 Type R garment in Class 2 or Class 3. ISEA notes that the MUTCD calls for Class 2 or 3 for highway workers and flaggers. Some cities and night work require Class 3.
How we chose
This is a document-based comparison from a licensed plumber’s point of view. We read MSA, Milwaukee and Ergodyne product pages and instructions for the exact linked models, OSHA’s head protection rules and PPE booklet, and ISEA’s notes on ANSI/ISEA 107. We picked Class E helmets because plumbers work near wiring, and Type R vests because street work is where plumbers need them. Sources and linked listings were read October 14, 2026; sellers and availability change. We do not publish prices or claim hands-on testing. More about our selection method and Plumbing Picks.
Primary sources
- MSA V-Gard Cap Style Hard Hat (maker page: us.msasafety.com/p/000060001300001000): part numbers 475358 and 475360, Fas-Trac III, slotted, Type 1 top impact
- MSA head protection catalog (maker page: us.msasafety.com/Head-Protection/c/112): V-Gard cap style listed ANSI Type I, Class E
- MSA V-Gard H2 Safety Helmet (maker page: us.msasafety.com/Head-Protection/Hard-Hats/-V-Gard-H2%E2%84%A2-Safety-Helmet/p/000060004100001001): Z89.1-2014 (R2019) Type II, Class E non-vented, Class C vented, chinstrap, headlamp clips, part numbers
- MSA V-Gard H1 safety instructions (maker page: docs.msasafety.com/v-gardh1/en-us/V-Gard%20H1%2010194768/SafetyInstructions.htm): Type I scope, Class E/G/C meaning, no paint or unapproved stickers
- Milwaukee BOLT 48-73-1301 (milwaukeetool.com): Type 2, Class E unvented, chinstrap, headlamp mount, accessory slots
- Ergodyne GloWear 8210HL specs (ergodyne.com): ANSI/ISEA 107-2020 Type R, Class 2, mesh, tape, closure, pockets, sizes
- Ergodyne GloWear 8210Z (ergodyne.com): Type R, Class 2, zipper closure, mesh and tape
- OSHA 29 CFR 1910.135 Head protection (osha.gov): when helmets are required, Z89.1 editions referenced
- OSHA 29 CFR 1926.100 Head protection (construction) (osha.gov): construction head protection and Z89.1 editions
- OSHA 3151 Personal Protective Equipment (PDF) (osha.gov): hard hat classes, daily inspection, replace after impact
- ISEA on the ANSI/ISEA 107 types (safetyequipment.org): Type O, R and P; Class 2 or 3 on highways
- ISEA: FHWA accepts revised ANSI/ISEA 107 (safetyequipment.org): Type R for roadway workers; MUTCD Class 2 or 3
- ISEA: ANSI/ISEA 107-2020 (safetyequipment.org): current edition of the high-visibility apparel standard