A recent trip to our favorite construction workers' clothing store unearthed a few intriguing safety items. The so-called "skeleton" transparent helmets - available in clear, blue, green and orange - allow you to view the hitherto secret inner workings of the hard hat.

The same manufacturer, Meiwa, also offers Kaze - a see-through hard hat with a built-in fan to circulate cool air within the helmet, lowering temperature and reducing humidity.

For the fashion forward, there were even a range of Hello Kitty safety helmets in various shades of pink, obviously responding to construction workers' demands for cuteness as well as protection.