ISEA Helps OSHA Update its Head Protection SHIB

New Safety and Health Bulletin Ready for Sharing

The OSHA head protection Safety and Health Information Bulletin (SHIB) has been updated! ➡️Get the new SHIB here.

About SHIBs: Safety and Health Information Bulletins (SHIB) are technical guides that support OSHA’s regulations.

Let’s go back to the beginning: In late November 2023, OSHA published a SHIB on head protection. ISEA and its members noted many inaccuracies and felt it exhibited a bias to one style of head protection.   

Why it matters: The SHIB promoted head protection style and look (which are subjective) over the level and type of protection, which are objectively measured against ANSI/ISEA Z89.1 as assessed by a Job Hazard Analysis. We heard from members, end-users, and association partners that the SHIB created confusion. For example, several safety professionals were concerned they would get OSHA citations for having workers use a different level of appropriate protection over others. This was obviously not OSHA’s intention. 

ISEA sprung into action: ISEA worked closely with its members to identify inaccuracies in the SHIB. Members also provided many examples of  immediate confusion in the marketplace. We relayed all of this to OSHA leadership, and urged changes.

We explained areas where something in the SHIB was incorrect (such as choosing style over protection level), confusing, or misleading. 

Catch up quick:  An updated SHIB was issued on April 12, 2024.  We are pleased the revised SHIB paints a more accurate picture of the complex and evolving issue of head protection. We appreciate that OSHA listened to feedback from ISEA and other stakeholders and was willing to make changes. We urge ISEA members, distributors and other channel partners to share it widely.

What’s next: ISEA worked closely with members to create a “Head Protection Fact vs. Fiction” website to reduce confusion and to best inform the marketplace. In addition, our Head Protection Product Group is hard at work revising Z89.1 to allow for an ANSI/ISEA Z89.1-compliant safety helmet that does not use European standards or test methods. 

Search

Trending

Standards

Global PPE

Issues

We are the safety equipment industry, united in the goal of protecting workers worldwide.

Our Mission

The voice of credibility for the safety equipment industry

Members & Leadership

Learn about ISEA members, leadership and awards

Board of Trustees

Your elected officials to help guide the association

ISEA Foundation

We help develop talent and raise awareness about worker safety

Staff

Meet the team

Explore Membership

ISEA membership gives you a seat at the table, delivers powerful insights and lets you engage with peers.  

Our education & training programs improve the effectiveness of safety equipment industry professionals.

QSSP

Our education & training programs improve the effectiveness of safety equipment industry professionals.

Executive Summit

Hear progressive ideas, learn best practices, and make peer connections.

Annual Business Meeting

Collaborate on standards development and track industry & policy trends

Event Calendar

See all upcoming events

Webinar Library

Access our webinar library

We are a trusted resource for industry insights and policy, with a window to Washington

Advocacy & Issues

Gain a powerful advocate in the halls of government

Industry Impact

Measuring the impact of the safety equipment industry

Industry Intelligence

Reports and tools for ISEA members

Market Data Analysis

Benchmark market share & product growth trends

Newsroom

Access the latest safety news & insights

Buyer's Guide

Discover our buyers guide to find the right PPE for your company and people.

Learn More

Tips For Buying PPE Online

Buying PPE online? Follow our guide to ensure it’s appropriate and high quality.

Learn More