A hard hat with air flow system includes a hard hat with an air flow passage for passing air through the hard hat and out exits ports at the front of the hat to provide a shield of air downward across the face of a user. The system includes an air filtration system, a blower assembly for drawing air through the air filter and pushing the filtered air into the air flow passage of the hard hat, and a power supply for powering the blower. The filtration system, blower assembly and power supply being supported on a harness such as a belt or backpack, external from the hard hat.