How Long Do Hard Hats Last? Understanding Expiration Dates
Hard hats don’t last forever, and knowing when to replace yours can be a matter of safety. Whether you're wearing a classic full brim or going all out with your favorite sports team, understanding expiration dates and safety standards helps protect you and your crew on the job.
Hard Hat Expiration: What You Need to Know
Most hard hats have a shelf life of five years from the date of manufacture, with the suspension system recommended for replacement every 12 months. However, this varies depending on the brand, material, work environment, and frequency of use. For example, helmets exposed to extreme temperatures, UV rays, or chemicals may need replacing sooner.
Always check:
- Manufacture date stamped inside the shell
- Signs of wear like cracks, fading, or brittleness
- The condition of the suspension system and straps
Need help staying compliant? Use our Hard Hat Inspection Expiration Guide to perform regular safety reviews.
Step 1 - Choose Size and Quantity
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Step 3 - Choose Design Method
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About MSA V-Gard® Standard Hard Hats
MSA V-Gard Standard Staz-on Suspension MPN: 463942
MSA V-Gard Fast-Track Ratchet MPN: 475358
MSA Safety is a worldwide leader in personal protective equipment, and MSA hard hats are designed to keep laborers safe in some of the most dangerous working conditions.
The MSA V-Gard hard hat includes the following features:
- A high-density polyethylene shell that protects laborers from life-threatening impacts to the head.
- MSA V-Gard® Caps meet or exceed the applicable requirements for a Type I Helmet (top impact) as outlined in ANSI Z89.1 2014, Class E.
- Lightweight construction that makes the helmet comfortable to wear while still providing additional lateral protection.
- Self-adjusting crown straps that ensure a comfortable fit.
- This hard hat comes with your choice of the 4-point ratchet suspension or the 4-point slide lock suspension.
- Size ranging from 6 1/2 - 8”.
V-Gard® Caps and Hats are not specifically designed to protect against lateral blows from the front, side or rear.
Helpful Resrouces
Looking for more information before you buy hard hats? We've got you covered with some helpful buying guides and hard hat comparisons. Check them out below.
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Staz-On Suspension & Fas-Trac Ratchet Suspension
You can choose to have either a Staz-On Suspension or a Fas-Trac Ratchet Suspension for your hard hat.
| Staz-On Suspension |
Fas-Trac Ratchet Suspension |
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How to Order Hard Hats
- Step 1: Select the quantity of hard hats
- Step 2:Choose your options
- Staz-On or Fas-Trac Ratchet Suspension
- Front Logo
- Back Logo
- Right Logo
- Left Logo
- Step 3: Click on the "Upload Logos" button
- Select the logo files
- In the "Provide Instructions" area, please let us know which logo goes in which location
- Step 4: Click on the "Add to Cart" button
You will then be taken through the checkout process. You will need to verify that all of the quantities, product options, and additional information is correct. You will then enter your billing and shipping information. You can select to pay with a credit card or check.
We offer the following shipping options:
- Standard (3-5 Business Days)
- Three Day (3 Business Days)
- Two Day (2 Business Days)
- Overnight (1 Business Day)
Once we receive your order, we will put together a proof and email it to you. The proof will have all of your order information on it. You will need to approve the order before we will charge you and put the order into production.
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Hard Hat Artwork Requirements
All hard hats require a vectorized logo for printing.
Acceptable Adobe Illustrator Files
Vector Logos
All hard hats require a vectorized logo for printing. Vector art consists of lines and curves that are mathematically defined objects. When viewing art in keyline mode you can see the points or vectors connecting your lines and curves. They can also be seen when using the pen tool or editing the points along a path. Vector art is ideal for type and drawn shapes because they can be enlarged to any size while maintaining crisp outlines and details without sacrificing quality. The distance between the vectors is calculated mathematically and is not dependent upon resolution.
Logo Conversion Fees
If you are not able to provide us with a good quality image, we do have a vectorizing/recreating service available. Most logos or images can be recreated for as little as $15; however images with more detail are subject to quoting prior to vectorizing the image. Please contact a sales representative for more details.
Fonts
Convert all text to outlines. If this is not possible, please provide all fonts. TrueType fonts are preferred.
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Add Your Logo or Name to the Hard Hat!
You can add up to four logos in four different locations on your hard hat. Each logo can have up to four different colors. You can also have a name printed on the hard hat. All logos are printed as large as possible on the hat, unless otherwise specified.
Logo Locations
- Front of the Hat
- Back of the Hat
- Right Side of the Hat
- Left Side of the Hat
Logo Imprint Colors
- No Logo
- 1-2 color logo
- 3 color logo
- 4 color logo
- Name
Logo Sizes (in inches)
| V-Gard® Standard |
Font Logo |
Back Logo |
Right Side Logo |
Left Side Logo |
| 1 & 2 Color Logos |
2.875x2 |
2.875x2 |
2.875x1.5 |
2.875x1.5 |
| 3 & 4 Color Logos |
2.5x2 |
2.5x2 |
2.5x1.5 |
2.5x1.5 |
You can also get a blank hard hat when you select the "No Logo" option from the drop down menu.
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Hard Hat Production Times
The standard production time for hard hats is 12 business days.
Please contact a customer service representative for the most accurate production estimate.
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Standard Logo Imprint Color Options
We offer 25 standard color options for you to choose from for your logo imprint. See our chart below for specification on each color option.
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More Information on Hard Hat Lifespan & When To Replace Hard Hats
Hard Hat Lifespan
Hard hats are made with durable materials to keep laborers safe, but no device will last forever. Hard hats will degrade over time when they are exposed to sunlight, extreme temperatures, and general wear and tear that can weaken the protective properties of the device.
There is no specific service life set in stone that specifies how long a hard hat is good for, but most manufacturers recommend replacing a helmet every 3 – 5 years if it has not been damaged during service. It’s important to note that MSA hard hats may degrade differently than Fibre-Metal hard hats for example, and you may need to replace your hard hat sooner if it has been damaged. The lifespan of your hard hat starts the day you receive the equipment, not the manufacture date inscribed within the helmet.
Do Wincraft Hard Hats Expire?
Yes! Wincraft safety helmets follow the same expiration principles as other ANSI-rated helmets. Check the interior for the manufacturer’s date stamp and inspect it routinely for damage or degradation. While Wincraft designs their hard hats with durability and style in mind, routine inspections are still key to long-term safety.
Browse our selection of Wincraft hard hats to upgrade to a new model when it’s time.
Staying Compliant with Hard Hat Safety Standards
All of our hard hats meet or exceed ANSI Z89.1 and OSHA safety standards. Whether you prefer a cowboy-style helmet or a sleek cap style hard hat, make sure you're replacing your gear in line with regulations and manufacturer guidelines.
When To Replace Hard Hats
When it comes to hard hat safety and expected lifespan, there are several key factors to evaluate that will help you determine when it's time to replace your hard hat. The information below walks you through the four most common reasons to upgrade to a new hard hat.
1. Impacts to Hard Hats
Hard hats are not intended to withstand multiple blows. Once a helmet has sustained an impact, it should be disposed of and replaced immediately. This is true even if there is no visible damage to the outer shell.
After an impact to the helmet, the protective materials may be weakened, and they may not provide the intended impact resistance required to keep workers safe.
2. Cuts, Cracks, and Dents
Hard hats are designed to absorb or deflect the blow of a falling object and evenly distribute the effect throughout the helmet. Any cuts, cracks or dents can compromise the structural integrity of the helmet and hinder its ability to properly disseminate the impact.
Examine your hard hat daily - or before each use - to determine if there are any signs of wear and tear that might compromise the hat. If you discover cracks or scrapes, the hard hat should be replaced immediately to ensure your safety.
3. Extreme Heat and Direct Sunlight
Extreme heat can deteriorate the protective qualities of a hard hat, shortening its useful lifespan. Leaving hard hats in areas with extreme temperatures, such as inside a vehicle, can degrade the protective shell of a hard hat.
Prolonged exposure to sunlight can also weaken the protective qualities in a helmet, workers who wear hard hats in hot weather may need to replace their device more frequently due to the extended exposure.
It's also recommended to store hard hats inside a climate-controlled room away from sunlight.
Final Thoughts
Your safety helmet is one of the most important pieces of protective gear you’ll wear on any job site. Please remember to perform an inspection of your hard hat before each use to ensure that none of the warning signs listed are present. If your helmet shows signs of cuts, cracks, dents, discoloration, chackiness, or has been exposed to extreme heat, direct sunlight, or impacts, we recommend replacing the device.