Hard Hat Colour Codes and their meanings

Confused by hard hat colours and what they mean? 

It’s actually quite simple. Colour-coded hard hats let you spot who’s who on site. 

They also help busy and high-risk sites stay safe, compliant, and running smoothly. 

Want to know:

• What each colour means?
• The UK and EU standards?
• Who should wear which colour?
• How to choose the right hard hat?

Here’s a quick and easy guide to hard hat colour codes.

UK HARD HAT COLOUR CODES EXPLAINED

Safety hat colour codes make roles clear at a glance, so no one's left confused.

Here’s how:

• Workers are easier to identify
• Roles are clear from a distance
• Visitors and new starters know who to go to
• Wearing hard hats builds better habits across sites

The current hard hat colour coding system comes from Build UK guidance.

In 2017, they introduced new colour codes to improve safety and reduce confusion. They’re widely used across UK construction sites, as well as in rail, logistics, utilities, and warehousing.

That said, not every sector follows the same system. Always review your company’s standard and ensure that everyone understands it.

 ARE HARD HAT COLOURS A LEGAL REQUIREMENT?

Wearing a safety helmet on a construction site is a legal requirement under UK law.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) states that head protection must be worn if there’s a risk of head injury on site.

Colour coding? That’s not the law, but using hard hat colours makes it clear who’s responsible for what on site, helping you stay compliant with CDM 2015 regulations.

It’s a simple, low-cost way to improve safety and operations.

NEED HELP? 

Our expert teams are happy to answer all your questions! 
Call us on 0330 441 3500 or send us a message.

WHAT DO HARD HAT COLOURS MEAN?

Here’s what each colour means under the current UK code:

• Black - Site supervisors and forepersons
• Orange - Slingers, signalers, and road workers
• Green - First aiders and emergency responders
• Blue - General operatives, apprentices, and visitors
• White - Site managers, engineers, and supervisors
• Red and Yellow - Older systems only - no longer recommended

TOP TIP: Be careful using red or yellow helmets. You might see them on older construction sites, but they’re not part of the current standard. 

Unsure? Always check your site rules or talk to your safety lead.

WHAT IS THE EU STANDARD FOR SAFETY HELMETS?

The EU doesn’t have a standard colour code for hard hats. Instead, the focus is on performance and protection.

Some European businesses follow the UK model, while others use their own colour coding system. 

What matters most? Safety helmets must be easily visible, compliant, and come with the EN stamp of approval.

Look for:

• EN 397 - Industrial safety helmets
• EN 12492 - Helmets for work at height
• EN 50365 - Insulated helmets for low-voltage electrical work

WHAT ELSE CAN HELMET COLOUR TELL YOU?

Hard hat colours keep your site safe. But you can also utilise them for internal roles, qualifications, access levels, or branding.

That’s fine - as long as your system is:

• Shared across all teams
• Clear and well-documented
• Backed up with staff training

STICKERS VS COLOURED HELMETS

Sometimes stickers or decals can be used alongside your hard hat colours.

It helps to show who has:

• Access passes
• Specialist training
• Medical conditions

Although helpful, don’t overdo it. Too many stickers or unclear symbols can confuse workers. Keep it simple and consistent.

HOW TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT SAFETY HELMET

No matter the colour, ensure the safety helmets you choose are fit for the job, comfortable for your team, and EN-rated. 

Look for:

• BS EN 397 - protects against falling objects and impact injuries.
• EN 50365 - protects against live electricity up to 1000V AC/1500V DC.

Also consider:

• Adjustable fits
• Vented options
• Shock absorption
• Expiry date and labelling
• Chin strap (if working at height)
• Room for visors or ear defenders

WHY QUALITY MATTERS

Low quality helmets might seem like a good idea, but they end up costing you more in the long run.

Here’s what you get:

• Poor compliance 
• Potentially increased safety risks

At SMI, we know cutting corners is never worth it. So, we only stock quality safety helmets from trusted brands.

Explore our full range of head protection or discover our specialist helmets.

OUR HARD HAT TOP PICKS 

Need comfortable, compliant, and long-lasting hard hats? 

Here’s our faves and their features:

1. JSP EVO3 vented wheel ratchet safety helmet 

HDPE shell that is stronger than EN 397 standard, 6-point cradle, sweatband, precision fit, OneTouch adjustments, and visor/ear defender compatibility.

2. Centurion spectrum safety helmet 

Built-in over-spectacles, EN 166 grade B impact protection, anti-scratch lenses, soft nose bridge, full adjustability, and a vented shell.

3. Forestry combi kit

Vented CE-certified ABS helmet with wheel ratchet, increased airflow, high-performance ear muffs, mesh visor, 6-point harness, chin strap, and soft foam headband.

4. JSP EVOLITE skyworker working at height helmet

A specialist suspension system and robust shell structure make this safety helmet ideal for industrial, mountaineering, and rescue use. 

GET IT RIGHT WITH SMI

With 40+ years of helping businesses protect their teams, we know what works. We can help you find the right hard hat options to keep your site safe and stocked.

Here’s why:

• 97% stock availability
• Dedicated sector support 
• Maximum 3-hour response time
• 25,000+ products in one place
• MY-SMI portal for fast online ordering
• 5PM order cut-off for next-day delivery

Need advice or help? 

Chat with our friendly team today.

FAQs

Is there a colour code for hard hats?

Yes. Most UK construction sites follow the 2017 Build UK colour code, which makes roles easy to spot and sites safer.

Can anyone wear a black hard hat?

Black helmets should typically be worn only by supervisors or forepersons. If unsure, check with your next in line to see what colour hard hat you should be wearing.

Can you add your logo to a hard hat?

Yes. It’s possible to add your logo to your safety helmets. It’s important to ensure that your logo doesn’t cover safety information, expiry dates, or impact compliance.

DID YOU KNOW? SMI offers custom branding on select products, so your team and logo are always visible.

What does a blue hard hat mean in the UK?

Someone wearing a blue hard hat on a construction site is usually an apprentice, an architect, or a visitor.

What colour hard hat does the owner wear?

It depends on what the owner does when they’re on-site. For example, they’ll probably wear white if they’re supervising, or blue if they’re visiting.

Chat with our team today for more advice.