Are MSA hard hats OSHA approved?

MSA hard hats are ANSI/ISEA Z89.1-2014 certified and meet OSHA head protection requirements under 29 CFR 1926.100 . OSHA does not publish its own approved-product list; instead, it requires hard hats to meet ANSI Z89.1 standards. The MSA V-Gard line, V-Gard 500, and Skullgard are all Type 1, Class E, which means they are rated for top-impact protection and electrical hazards up to 20,000 volts.

What is the MSA Skullgard hard hat used for?

The MSA Skullgard is a phenolic-shell hard hat built specifically for high-heat and radiant-heat environments, including foundries, steel mills, smelting operations, and similar industrial settings. It is rated for ambient temperatures up to 350°F. The Skullgard is heavier and more expensive than the V-Gard line, but it is the standard choice when polyethylene shells are unsuitable due to heat exposure.

What is the difference between a Type 1 and Type 2 hard hat?

Type 1 hard hats provide impact protection at the top of the head only. Type 2 hard hats add lateral impact protection, meaning they are tested for side impacts as well. MSA V-Gard and ERB models in our catalog are Type 1, Class E. The Honeywell Fibre-Metal Climbing Style helmets are Type 2, which makes them common in tower climbing, arborist work, and utility line work where lateral impacts are a real hazard.

What shell material does Fibre-Metal use, and why does it matter?

Fibre-Metal SuperEight hard hats use SuperEight Superlectric Thermoplastic rather than standard HDPE. This material supports the eight-point suspension system's impact energy control design, which spreads and dissipates force across a wider area and reduces it in smaller increments compared to a typical four- or six-point suspension. The shell is also SEI-certified for both forward and reverse wear.

Are ERB hard hats made in the USA?

Yes. ERB Safety manufactures its hard hats in Georgia and has done so for over 60 years. The company holds ISO 9001:2015 certification. ERB hard hats use high-density polyethylene shells and meet ANSI Z89.1 Type 1, Class E standards. They are a cost-competitive, American-made alternative to imported shells.

Can I print a full-color logo on any of these hard hats?

Yes. CustomHardHats.com prints logos directly onto MSA, Fibre-Metal, and ERB shells. MSA hard hats use direct-to-shell printing with a UV-resistant finish fused to the HDPE shell. Fibre-Metal hard hats use a direct-print process rated for the thermoplastic surface. ERB hard hats are also direct-printed. The Honeywell Fibre-Metal Climbing Style helmets use full-color DTF (Direct to Film) transfer printing and support up to four imprint placements (front, back, left, and right sides), with a minimum order of 6 units per color.

MSA vs. Fibre-Metal vs. ERB Hard Hats Compared

Common Questions From Buyers Comparing These Three Brands

Are MSA hard hats OSHA approved?: MSA hard hats are ANSI/ISEA Z89.1-2014 certified and meet OSHA head protection requirements under 29 CFR 1926.100. OSHA does not publish its own approved-product list; instead, it requires hard hats to meet ANSI Z89.1 standards. The MSA V-Gard line, V-Gard 500, and Skullgard are all Type 1, Class E, which means they are rated for top-impact protection and electrical hazards up to 20,000 volts.
What is the MSA Skullgard hard hat used for?: The MSA Skullgard is a phenolic-shell hard hat built specifically for high-heat and radiant-heat environments, including foundries, steel mills, smelting operations, and similar industrial settings. It is rated for ambient temperatures up to 350°F. The Skullgard is heavier and more expensive than the V-Gard line, but it is the standard choice when polyethylene shells are unsuitable due to heat exposure.
What is the difference between a Type 1 and Type 2 hard hat?: Type 1 hard hats provide impact protection at the top of the head only. Type 2 hard hats add lateral impact protection, meaning they are tested for side impacts as well. MSA V-Gard and ERB models in our catalog are Type 1, Class E. The Honeywell Fibre-Metal Climbing Style helmets are Type 2, which makes them common in tower climbing, arborist work, and utility line work where lateral impacts are a real hazard.
What shell material does Fibre-Metal use, and why does it matter?: Fibre-Metal SuperEight hard hats use SuperEight Superlectric Thermoplastic rather than standard HDPE. This material supports the eight-point suspension system's impact energy control design, which spreads and dissipates force across a wider area and reduces it in smaller increments compared to a typical four- or six-point suspension. The shell is also SEI-certified for both forward and reverse wear.
Are ERB hard hats made in the USA?: Yes. ERB Safety manufactures its hard hats in Georgia and has done so for over 60 years. The company holds ISO 9001:2015 certification. ERB hard hats use high-density polyethylene shells and meet ANSI Z89.1 Type 1, Class E standards. They are a cost-competitive, American-made alternative to imported shells.
Can I print a full-color logo on any of these hard hats?: Yes. CustomHardHats.com prints logos directly onto MSA, Fibre-Metal, and ERB shells. MSA hard hats use direct-to-shell printing with a UV-resistant finish fused to the HDPE shell. Fibre-Metal hard hats use a direct-print process rated for the thermoplastic surface. ERB hard hats are also direct-printed. The Honeywell Fibre-Metal Climbing Style helmets use full-color DTF (Direct to Film) transfer printing and support up to four imprint placements (front, back, left, and right sides), with a minimum order of 6 units per color.

MSA Hard Hats: The Most Widely Worn Brand in North America

MSA Safety has been manufacturing head protection since 1914, and over 100 million MSA V-Gard helmets have been sold worldwide. That track record matters when you are outfitting a large crew or specifying PPE for a long-term project. The V-Gard line uses virgin HDPE shells, which are lightweight, resistant to most common jobsite chemicals, and available in up to 20 colors. The Fas-Trac III ratchet suspension adjusts easily with one hand, which crews appreciate at the start of a shift.

For most general construction, electrical, and industrial applications, the MSA V-Gard Standard (starting at $13.86) or V-Gard Full Brim is the default recommendation. Both carry ANSI Z89.1 Type 1, Class E certification and are rated for electrical hazards up to 20,000 volts. The V-Gard 500 adds a low-profile cap-style shell designed for tighter workspaces and comes with either a four- or six-point Fas-Trac III suspension.

The MSA Skullgard stands apart from everything else in the catalog. Its phenolic shell handles radiant heat up to 350°F, which makes it the correct hard hat for foundry workers, casters, and anyone working near open-flame processes. It is available in cap style and full brim, and both versions accept custom logo printing. The Skullgard starts at $108.25, a premium that reflects the specialized material and testing requirements.

All four MSA models available here are printed direct-to-shell with a UV-resistant finish. You can add up to four logo placements, and there is no minimum order quantity.

Honeywell Fibre-Metal Hard Hats: Eight-Point Protection and Type 2 Rating

Fibre-Metal hard hats have a loyal following in utility, tower, and climbing work because of two specific advantages: the eight-point suspension and the Type 2 certification. Most hard hats on the market are Type 1, meaning they are tested only for top impacts. The Fibre-Metal SuperEight helmets are SEI-certified to ANSI Z89.1 in both the forward and reverse positions, which covers lateral impacts that matter in fall-arrest and climbing environments.

The SuperEight suspension distributes impact force across a wider area by breaking it into smaller increments before it reaches the wearer's head. This is not a marketing claim; it is the core engineering principle behind the shell design and the eight-contact-point harness. The shell material, SuperEight Superlectric Thermoplastic, is different from standard HDPE and is matched to the suspension geometry.

The Fibre-Metal full brim is available in six colors, and the cap-style E-2 standard comes in eight colors. Bulk pricing starts at $22.36 per hat for the full brim and $25.90 for the E-2. Both models accept up to four logo placements and are printed using a direct-print process that will not peel, crack, or fade under normal field conditions.

The Honeywell Fibre-Metal Climbing Style helmets, also available here, take the Type 2 construction into specialized climbing applications. They feature a dual-locking ratchet suspension, non-vented shells in nine color options, and full-color DTF printing on all four sides with a six-unit minimum order. These are the right choice for arborists, tower technicians, and utility linemen who need side-impact certification combined with a custom-branded appearance.

ERB Hard Hats: American-Made and Budget-Friendly Without Cutting Corners

ERB Safety has manufactured hard hats in Georgia for over 60 years. All ERB hard hats carry ANSI Z89.1 Type 1, Class E certification and ISO 9001:2015 quality registration. For buyers who prioritize domestically manufactured PPE or need to keep per-unit costs low on large crew orders, ERB is a logical choice.

The ERB Omega II is the most specified model. The standard cap-style version starts at $13.81 and drops to $11.73 per unit at volume, making it one of the lowest entry prices for a direct-printed custom hard hat in this catalog. The Omega II Full Brim starts at $18.02 and goes to $16.09. Both use HDPE shells and six-point woven nylon suspensions. The Americana and Independence models use four-point suspensions at slightly lower price points.

ERB also offers a bump cap, which is worth flagging: bump caps do not meet OSHA or ANSI standards for falling-object protection and should not be used as hard hat substitutes on regulated jobsites. They are appropriate for low-clearance environments where the primary risk is bumping into fixed objects, not falling tools or debris.

Custom logo printing on ERB hard hats uses the same direct-to-shell process used on MSA and Fibre-Metal models. Logos are printed onto the HDPE shell for a premium look that holds up in the field. The Fibre-Metal standard hard hat in yellow and comparable ERB models are frequently ordered together by crews that want color-coded department identification across a mixed brand fleet.

MSA vs. Fibre-Metal vs. ERB: Side-by-Side Specs

Specification	MSA V-Gard Standard	MSA Skullgard	Fibre-Metal SuperEight E-1 Full Brim	ERB Omega II Standard
Shell Material	Virgin HDPE	Phenolic	SuperEight Superlectric Thermoplastic	High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE)
Brim Style	Cap Style	Cap Style or Full Brim	Full Brim	Cap Style
ANSI Type	Type 1	Type 1	Type 1	Type 1
ANSI Class	Class E	Class E	Class E	Class E
Suspension	Fas-Trac III Ratchet or Staz-On Pinlock	Swing Ratchet	3RW2 Ratchet (3-point)	6-Point Woven Nylon
Electrical Rating	Up to 20,000 volts	Up to 20,000 volts	Class E (up to 20,000 volts)	Class E (up to 20,000 volts)
High-Heat Rating	No	Up to 350°F	No	No
Reversible	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Colors Available	Up to 20	3	6	Up to 17
Starting Price	$13.86	$108.25	$27.96	$13.81
Bulk Low Price	Contact for volume pricing	Contact for volume pricing	As low as $22.36	As low as $11.73
Made in USA	No	No	No	Yes (Georgia)
Min. Order Qty	1	1	1	1

Which Brand Should You Order for Your Crew?

The right answer depends on three variables: your jobsite hazards, your compliance requirements, and your per-unit budget.

For general commercial construction, electrical contracting, and industrial maintenance, the MSA V-Gard Standard is the most cost-effective starting point. It is the most recognized hard hat in North America, it ships in 20 colors, and direct-to-shell logo printing starts with no minimum order. If your site requires full-brim coverage for sun, rain, and overhead drip protection, the MSA Skullgard full brim in natural tan or the MSA V-Gard Full Brim handles that requirement within the same brand family.

For foundry, steel, and high-heat industrial environments, the MSA Skullgard is the only option in this catalog with a phenolic shell rated for ambient temperatures up to 350°F. Nothing else in the MSA, Fibre-Metal, or ERB lines covers that specification.

For tower climbing, arborist work, and utility linework where lateral impacts are a documented hazard, the Honeywell Fibre-Metal Type 2 helmets are the correct product. The eight-point suspension and SEI-certified side-impact testing separate them from every Type 1 model in this comparison. If you want a branded look for a climbing crew, the Fibre-Metal full brim in red and other colors accept full-color logo printing with up to four placements.

For crews where budget is the primary driver and American-made sourcing matters, ERB Omega II hard hats deliver ANSI Type 1, Class E protection and direct-print logo customization at the lowest per-unit cost in this catalog. Volume orders bring the Omega II Standard to as low as $11.73 per hat.

All three brands accept the same custom printing process at CustomHardHats.com. You submit your artwork, choose your shell color and model, and receive finished hard hats with your logo printed directly onto the shell. Standard production is 12 business days before transit.

Shop Custom-Printed Hard Hats

Customhardhats.com is your premier source for custom hard hats. With our advanced printing process and extensive selection of safety helmets from the most prominent brands in the industry, you can put your company logo, tagline, or personal graphic on display with trusted safety equipment that will protect you on the job site.

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Browse the full selection of MSA, Fibre-Metal, and ERB hard hats at CustomHardHats.com. Upload your logo, choose your shell color, and get a quote on as few as one hat or as many as your full crew requires. Bulk pricing applies at 12 or more hats. Production is 12 business days plus transit.

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MSA vs. Fibre-Metal vs. ERB Hard Hats: Which Brand Is Right for Your Crew?

Common Questions From Buyers Comparing These Three Brands

MSA Hard Hats: The Most Widely Worn Brand in North America

Honeywell Fibre-Metal Hard Hats: Eight-Point Protection and Type 2 Rating

ERB Hard Hats: American-Made and Budget-Friendly Without Cutting Corners

MSA vs. Fibre-Metal vs. ERB: Side-by-Side Specs

Which Brand Should You Order for Your Crew?

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MSA V-Gard Standard Hard Hats

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