A Guide to 2022 Safety Footwear Standards

FOOTWEAR STANDARDS


The 2022 updates to the EN ISO 20345 safety footwear standards have led to changes in safety classification and safety codes. This piece will guide you through the new safety footwear standards so you can get a clear understanding of:


  • The requirements for each standard and the additional protective features safety footwear can carry

  • What each of these standards and additional features means the footwear will have, and how it protects the wearer


UNDERSTANDING THE STANDARDS


The safety standards are set out in 8 different classifications, (SB– S7) from the lowest spec footwear to footwear with higher levels of protection and durability.


Note: Some of these classifications have subcategories of ‘L’ and ‘S’depending on the type and testing of anti-penetration insert material.


It is important to understand the differences between the classifications and additional features fully, otherwise it can lead to:


  • Under or over-speccing

  • Wearer non-compliance

  • A compromise in safety



WHAT MUST THE

FOOTWEAR HAVE?

WHAT DOES

THIS MEAN?

HOW DOES THIS

PROTECT THE WEARER?


SB


Protective Toecap

Footwear has toe protection only

Toes are protected from being crushed by heavy or dropped items


S1

As SB and:


Closed Heel Area

Footwear uppers covers the whole foot e.g. is not a clog or sandal

Wearer gets upper support and protection around the whole foot

Anti-static

Footwear is made of a conductive and electrical charge-dispersing material

Static electricity is sent to the ground, regulating the build-up of electrical charge on a person’s body which protects them from an electrical shock

Energy Absorption

Footwear features, either within the outsole, insole or midlayer, a form of impact-dissipating material

Prevents injuries through impact loading to the foot due to walking, standing for long periods or carrying heavy items, by dissipating impact energy away from the foot and lower limbs


S2

As S1 and:


Water-resistant

exterior

Footwears upper material will offer a degree of resistance to water

Feet are kept dry if the footwear is subjected to occasional and light water exposure


S3

As S2 and:


Cleated Outsoles

Footwear’s outsole has cleats or ‘protrusions’

Provides additional traction on slippery or soft surfaces

Note: this is not part of the slip standard

Protective Insert

Footwear features a metal anti-penetration insert, often referred to as a ‘midsole’

Protects the underfoot being pierced by sharp objects

Note: if insert is non-metal, it is marked S3L or S3S depending on needle width in test


S4 – Classification II Footwear

As SB and:

Rubber or moulded

polymer construction

Footwear is made entirely from this material and as such usually comes in the form of a wellington boot

Offers waterproof and leak-proof properties


S5 – Classification II Footwear

As S4 and:

Protective Insert

Footwear features a metal anti-penetration insert, often referred to as a ‘midsole’

Protects the underfoot being pierced by sharp objects

Note: if insert is non-metal, it is marked S5L or S5S depending on needle width in test


S6

As S2 and:

Waterproof

Footwear features a waterproof membrane behind the upper

Wearers feet are protected from long-term water exposure


S7

As S6 and:


Protective Insert

Footwear features a metal anti-penetration insert, often referred to as a ‘midsole’

Protects the underfoot being pierced by sharp objects

Note: if insert is non-metal, it is marked S7L or S7S depending on needle width in test


Aswell as safety standards SB - S7, safety footwear can carry additional protective features to meet more specific hazards. Here’s a glossary of these features with an explanation of what they mean for the wearer:


SAFETY MARKING

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN?

HOW DOES THIS PROTECT THE WEARER?

AN

Footwear features ankle protection

A padded material is placed over the ankle area to cushion impact

C

Footwear is partially conductive (Anti-static or ESD)

Prevents static build-up in the body (electrical resistance between foot and ground doesn’t exceed 0.1 Mega Ohms)

Note: ‘Partially conductive’ is so-called as it doesn’t include EH (Electrical Hazard) which is non-conductive footwear

CI

Footwear features insulation from cold

Footwear protects the wearer from temperatures down to -17°

CR

Footwear’s upper is cut resistant

Footwear’s upper is given added protection from sharp items

FO

Footwear’s sole is fuel and oil-resistant

Footwear’s sole withstands fuel and oil corrosion

Note: FO is no longer a shortcut code and must carry this as a separate marking

HI

Footwear features insulation from heat

Footwear withstands concentrated environmental heat

HRO

Footwear features a heat resistant outsole

Footwear resists hot surface contact up to 300

LG

Footwear’s sole features ladder grips between the heel and sole forepart (below the arch)

Footwear’s sole offers grip which gives wearers ascending or descending ladder rungs added stability

M

Footwear features a protective plate covering the metatarsal area

Footwear protects the wearer’s metatarsal area from impact from dropped or heavy items

SC

Footwear features an abrasion-resistant scuff cap

Footwear’s toecap area is protected from scuffing or abrasion from rough items or terrain





SLIP RESISTANCE


This is now a mandatory requirement for all safety footwear, so there is no symbol for slip resistance for safety boots. The old slip ratings of SRA, SRB and SRC no longer exist in the 2022 EN ISO 20345standards.


If footwear has passed an additional slip test on a tiled floor surface using glycerol lubricant, it can be marked SR.


For footwear where slip resistance cannot be tested e.g. if the sole includes spikes or studs, it can be marked with Ø symbol.


WATER RESISTANCE


While footwear that is waterproof is indicated by its classification (S4, S5, S6, S7), a boot from a lower classification can be given waterproofing as an additional feature, and can be marked with WR.