ISEA Releases Updated Head Protection Standard to Support Modern Jobsite Safety Programs

As jobsite risks evolve, more employers are reevaluating head protection and adopting solutions that go beyond minimum requirements to help reduce serious injuries, including traumatic brain injuries. In response, the International Safety Equipment Association released ANSI/ISEA Z89.1-2026, the updated American National Standard for Industrial Head Protection, approved by the American National Standards Institute.

The 2026 revision does not replace existing requirements or make current compliant head protection obsolete. ANSI/ISEA Z89.1-2026 maintains the familiar Type and Class classifications used throughout the industry. Type I and II designations address impact and penetration protection, while Class designations address electrical protection performance.

The 2026 revision establishes optional testing criteria for features that are increasingly being considered by safety professionals and employers across a wide range of industries.

Key updates
New Designation: “+” — indicates enhanced performance: Identifies head protection tested beyond the base standard for retention, chin strap performance and (for Type I+) expanded impact protection.

• Type I+ — chin strap, enhanced retention and multi-directional impact protection
• Type II+ — chin strap and enhanced retention (with Type II impact protection).

Enhanced tests tied to the “+” marking:

• Chin strap retention — keeps head protection secured during impact/falls
• Helmet retention — stays properly positioned during slips/trips
• Multi-point impact — front/rear/side protection (Type I+)

Guidance for reverse wearing: Adds new checks for “+” head protection to ensure it stays securely on the head when worn in reverse.

Environmental/visibility markings: Maintains HT (high-temp) and LT (low-temp) markings and updates “High Visibility” to “Enhanced Visibility” to reflect that head protection falls outside the ANSI/ISEA 107 standard for high visibility apparel. No change to visibility performance.

These updates standardize features already widely available in head protection, making it easier for safety professionals to evaluate options and match protection to specific jobsite hazards.

Focus on hazard-based selection
ISEA emphasizes that head protection should always be selected based on actual jobsite hazards. While enhanced options such as Type I+ and Type II+ provide additional protection, not every job requires the same approach.

Resources available
For a copy of ANSI/ISEA Z89.1-2026, visit bit.ly/z891standard.

To learn more about industrial head protection, visit safetyequipment.org/head-protection.