Hardhat with lightpipe system

A method of communicating within a group having a plurality of subgroups, the method comprising:

• providing a plurality of hardhats, each hardhat comprising;
• an identifier;
• a lightpipe, wherein the lightpipe displays at least one of a plurality of colors in at least one of a plurality of brightness levels;
• a mode, wherein the mode can be selected between at least one of:
• a single color displayed, different colors displayed, constant illumination, intermittent illumination, and/or a brightness level;
• providing a controller, wherein the controller determines the mode of a hardhat within the plurality of hardhats, and designating a given mode to a hardhat within the plurality of hardhats.

A hardhat with a lighting system comprising:

• a crown that is generally semi-spherical shaped terminating downwardly with a peripheral edge in a generally horizontal plane;
• a brim extending outwardly from the peripheral edge of the crown;
• and
• an electrical circuit coupled to the brim having components including:
• an LED or other lightpipe mounted underneath and/or around the periphery of the brim, a battery, and a power button;
• wherein the lightpipe has at least one brightness level and the hardhat further comprises a control for selecting the brightness level for the lightpipe;
• wherein the lightpipe is configured to provide at least one pulse frequency level upon illumination, wherein the hardhat further comprises a control for selecting between at least two different settings for the pulse frequency level.