A hard hat that falls off 200 feet up is a weapon. A hard hat that stays on but does not stop side impact is a false sense of security. Here is what riggers actually need.
Tower crane rigging is a different animal from ground-level construction. You are climbing ladders in tight access shafts, squeezing through hatch openings, and working on a crane cab platform where a dropped wrench from above is a real possibility. The old Type I hard hats that only protect the top of your head do not cut it when you are getting hit from the side by a swinging hook block or catching your head on a cross-member while climbing. You need ANSI Type II, and you need a chin strap that actually stays on when you look down at the load 250 feet below.
OSHA 1926.100 requires head protection on construction sites, but for work at height, the practical standard goes further. A Type II helmet with lateral impact protection and a 4-point or 6-point chin strap is what keeps the lid on your head when wind, vibration, and head movement conspire to shake it loose. Here are five hard hats that riggers and ironworkers are actually wearing on tower cranes right now.
| Product | Best For | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Best Overall Klein Tools Type-2 Safety Helmet |
Low-profile cap style for tight crane access | ~$90 |
| MSA V-Gard H2 Full Brim | Full-brim comfort with integrated chinstrap | ~$76 |
| Best Budget Jackson Safety Blockhead2 |
Type II + chin strap under $60 | ~$56 |
| Malta Dynamics APEX Full Brim | Vented full brim from a fall protection company | ~$80 |
| Pyramex Ridgeline T2 Full Brim | Premium multi-class rated helmet | ~$111 |
Best Overall for Crane Riggers
This is the helmet riggers reach for when they need something that does not catch on every structural member they pass. The Klein Tools Type-2 is a cap-style safety helmet, not a full brim, which means a lower profile. That matters when you are climbing the internal ladder of a tower crane mast and your head is inches from steel on both sides. A full brim catches on tie-offs, bolts, and horizontal bracing. A cap style slides through.
The shell is ANSI Z89.1-2014 (R2019) Type-2, Class C, meaning it protects against top AND lateral impacts and is vented for airflow. The 6-point suspension distributes impact forces across a wider area of the skull than the 4-point systems in cheaper helmets. The chin strap is included and integrated, not an add-on you have to remember. Klein also built in their patented accessory mount system, so you can click on a clear visor, ear muffs, or a headlamp without straps or zip ties. For a rigger doing night picks, the headlamp mount alone is worth the price.
At $90 it is not the cheapest, but Klein Tools builds equipment that lasts. The sweatband and top pad are machine washable, which matters when you are wearing this thing 10 hours a day in July heat at the top of a crane where the ambient temperature is 10 degrees warmer than ground level.
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Best Full Brim with Integrated Chinstrap
MSA invented the thermoplastic hard hat in the 1930s, and the V-Gard H2 is their modern Type II answer to the climbing-style helmets that have been taking over construction sites. The H2 is a full brim design, which means sun and rain protection on all sides. Tower crane operators and riggers who work through weather appreciate this. The brim also channels rainwater away from your face when you are doing a pick in a downpour.
What sets the H2 apart is the integrated chinstrap. It is built into the helmet, not bolted on as an accessory. The ratchet suspension adjusts with a gloved hand, which is essential when you are wearing rigging gloves at height and cannot feel the dial through the material. The non-contact foam liner promotes airflow between the shell and your head, and the vented version adds passive cooling. ANSI Z89.1 Type II certified.
The H2 also accepts nearly all V-Gard full brim accessories, meaning face shields, hearing protection, and winter liners from MSA's extensive catalog all fit. If your company already standardizes on MSA gear, this is the logical choice. At $76 it is the best value full-brim Type II on this list.
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Best Budget Type II
The Blockhead2 is the proof that you do not need to spend $100 to get ANSI Type II protection with a chin strap. Jackson Safety is Carhartt's industrial division, and they built this helmet to compete with the premium Type II options at a fraction of the cost. At $56, it is the cheapest helmet on this list and still meets ANSI Z89.1-2014 (R2019) Type 2, Class C, HT (high temperature), and LT (low temperature) standards. It is also CSA Z94.1 Type 2 Class C certified.
The 6-point suspension uses Jackson's 370 Speed Dial ratchet, which is one of the smoothest adjustment systems on the market. The 4-point chinstrap has a synthetic leather chin pad, which is more comfortable than the bare webbing you find on some cheaper helmets. The full brim design provides sun and rain protection. The EPP liner absorbs energy from side impacts.
The tradeoff is accessory compatibility. Unlike the Klein or MSA, there is no proprietary mount system. If you need a face shield or ear muffs, you are using the universal slot mount accessory route. For a rigger who just needs a solid Type II helmet with a chin strap and does not care about the accessory ecosystem, this is the best value on this list.
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Best from a Fall Protection Brand
Malta Dynamics is primarily a fall protection company. They make harnesses, lanyards, and self-retracting lifelines. The APEX helmet is their entry into head protection, and they brought the same work-at-height philosophy to it. The helmet meets ANSI Z89.1-2014 Type 2 Class C, EN12492 (the European mountaineering helmet standard), and OSHA 1910 and 1926 requirements. The EN12492 rating is notable because it means this helmet was tested to survive a climber falling and hitting their head on rock. That is a higher bar than a standard construction impact test.
The APEX is a full brim, vented design with a 4-point chin strap and comfort-fit adjustable headband. The integrated vents reduce heat buildup, which matters on a crane cab platform where there is no shade and no airflow. The ABS shell is rated for top, front, back, and side impacts. Malta Dynamics field tests their gear with actual ironworkers and riggers, not just lab dummies.
At $80 it sits in the middle of the pack on price. If you already wear a Malta Dynamics harness, this is the natural pairing. The chin strap is removable, but for tower crane work, leave it on. Always.
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Best Multi-Class Rated Helmet
The Pyramex Ridgeline T2 is the most expensive helmet on this list at $111, but it is also the most versatile. It is rated ANSI/ISEA Z89.1-2014(R2019) Type II Class E/G/C, meaning it meets the electrical (Class E, 20,000V), general (Class G, 2,200V), and conductive (Class C, vented) ratings all in one helmet. Most hard hats are rated for one class. The Ridgeline T2 covers all three. If your rigging work takes you near energized power lines one day and into a non-electrical environment the next, this helmet handles both without you needing to swap shells.
The 6-point ratchet suspension converts to 4-point if you prefer a simpler system. The EPS Halo Foam liner provides impact absorption and channels air across the top of your head for cooling. The full brim extends sun and rain protection to the neck and ears. Pyramex includes an optional chin strap, and the helmet is SEI certified to CAN/CSA Z94.1-2015 Type II.
The Ridgeline T2 is the helmet for the rigger who wants one lid that handles every classification standard without compromise. The ABS shell is lightweight, and the ratchet adjustment is smooth even with gloved hands. Pyramex has been making safety eyewear and hard hats in the US since 2002, and the Ridgeline line is one of their flagship products.
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Type I vs Type II is not a minor distinction. Type I helmets protect against top impact only. That is the old-school hard hat your grandfather wore. Type II helmets add lateral impact protection, meaning the sides, front, and back of the shell are tested for impact resistance. Tower crane riggers get hit from the side more often than from the top. You bump your head on structural steel while climbing, you catch the edge of a hatch opening, a tag line whips around and clips you. Type II is the minimum acceptable standard for work at height. If your current hard hat only says Type I on the sticker inside, replace it.
The chin strap is not optional. A hard hat without a chin strap is a projectile waiting to happen. At 200 feet up, a hard hat that blows off in wind falls at terminal velocity. It can kill someone on the ground below. OSHA does not explicitly require chin straps in 1926.100, but many general contractors and site safety plans do require them for work above 6 feet. More importantly, a hard hat that is not on your head when something falls on you provides zero protection. If you are tilting your head down to watch a load, if you are climbing and looking up at the hook, if wind is hitting you on an exposed platform, the chin strap is what keeps the helmet where it needs to be.
Class C vented vs Class E non-vented. Class C (conductive) helmets are vented for airflow. They do not protect against electrical contact. Class E (electrical) helmets are non-vented and rated for 20,000V. If your rigging work is anywhere near energized lines, you need Class E. If you are on a crane with no electrical hazards, Class C will keep you cooler. The Pyramex Ridgeline T2 is the only helmet on this list rated for both, so you do not have to choose. For everyone else, know your site requirements before you buy.
Replace your hard hat every 5 years. UV exposure breaks down the shell material over time. If your hard hat has been sitting in the back window of a truck for a year, it may already be compromised. Look for cracks, fading, or a chalky appearance on the shell. Check the suspension webbing for fraying. The suspension itself should be replaced every 12 months. None of this is optional. A hard hat past its service life looks fine right up until it does not stop the impact.
For a rigger who climbs tight access shafts: Get the Klein Tools Type-2 ($90). The low profile cap style means fewer catches on structural steel, the integrated chin strap stays put, and the accessory mounts let you add a headlamp for night picks without zip ties.
For the best value full-brim Type II: The MSA V-Gard H2 ($76) is built by the company that invented the modern hard hat. Integrated chinstrap, ratchet suspension that works with gloves, and the full MSA accessory ecosystem. This is the one most riggers end up buying.
On a budget or just starting out: The Jackson Safety Blockhead2 ($56) gives you Type II protection with a 4-point chin strap and 6-point suspension for less than anything else on this list that meets the same standard. No excuses for wearing a Type I on a tower crane.
Best combo for a rigger near power lines: Pyramex Ridgeline T2 ($111) is the only helmet here rated Class E, G, and C. One helmet, every classification. If your work varies between electrical and non-electrical environments, this eliminates the need to own two hard hats.