ISSUE DATE: 5/10/2011 

PROGRAM INFORMATION BULLETIN NO. P11-36

FROM: KEVIN G. STRICKLIN

 Administrator for

 Coal Mine Safety and Health

SUBJECT: Suitable Hard Hats

Scope

This Program Information Bulletin (PIB) applies to coal mine operators, miners' 

representatives, independent contractors, Coal Mine Safety and Health Administration 

(MSHA) personnel and other interested parties. 

Purpose

The purpose of this PIB is to remind operators of the requirement in 30 C.F.R. § 

75.1720(d) and 30 C.F.R. § 77.1710(d) concerning “suitable” hardhats. 

Information

30 C.F.R. § 75.1720(d) and 30 C.F.R. § 77.1710(d) require miners to wear suitable hard 

hats.

MSHA’s longstanding policy provides that the purpose of 30 C.F.R. § 75.1720(d) and § 

77.1710(d) is: 

to provide substantial protection for the head from falling objects and

to protect miners against electrical shock or burn. Hard hats are required 

to be suitable for these purposes and, if they are painted, the paint base 

must be nonmetallic.

Hard hats or caps that meet or exceed the applicable specification of the 

American National Standards Institute (ANSI) provide appropriate head 

protection and comply with these requirements. The applicable standards 

are ANSI's "Safety Requirements for Industrial Head Protection," Z89.1, 

and "Safety Requirements for Industrial Protective Helmets for Electrical 

Workers, Class B," Z89.2.
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A hardhat that meets the ANSI requirements will have permanent information 

markings in at least 1.5 mm (0.006) inch high letters stating the following information:

1. The name or identification mark of the manufacturer,

2. The date of manufacture,

3. The American National Standards Institute Designation, and

4. The applicable type and class of designation.

MSHA is aware that some of the information required by ANSI may become lost due to 

the harsh working environment of mining. Mine operators should ensure that at least 

one of the four information markings listed above is identifiable.

Hard hats or caps that are found with cracked or split shells, with cut and /or re-glued 

shells, plastic baseball-type caps and/or thin plastic hats or caps or damaged 

suspensions will be considered unsuitable by MSHA if users wearing such hats are in 

areas where falling objects may create hazardous conditions or miners are wearing such 

hats in the active workings of an underground mine or are working in designated hard 

hats areas. 

Hard hats should be inspected routinely for dents, cracks, gouges and any damage due 

to impact, penetration, abrasion, rough treatment or wear that might reduce the degree 

of protection originally provided. Mine operators should ensure that hard hats are not 

altered, damaged or modified and that they are properly maintained. 

Background

MSHA inspectors have found miners wearing hard hats that have been modified to 

obtain a lower profile, “baseball-type” plastic caps and homemade hard hats or caps,

and other hats or caps that do not provide adequate protection from falling objects.

These types of hardhats have not been tested and approved by ANSI or any other 

consensus standard setting organizations. Low profile hardhats that have been tested 

and approved by ANSI are available for miners preferring this type of hardhat.

Authority

The Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977, as amended, 30 U.S.C. § 801 et seq.; 30 

C.F.R. § 75.1720(d) and 30 C.F.R. § 77.1710(d).

Internet Availability

This PIB may be viewed on the Internet by accessing MSHA home page 

(http://www.msha.gov) and then choosing “Compliance Assistance,” “Compliance 

Info” and “Program Information Bulletin.”
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Issuing Office and Contact Persons

Coal Mine Safety and Health, Safety Division

John Arrington, (202) 693-9549

E-mail: arrington.john@dol.gov 

Distribution

Coal Underground and Surface Mine Operators

Miners’ Representatives

Independent Contractors

Special Interest Groups