Safety Boots:
the standards and ratings explained
Safety Boots standards explained: All safety footwear must meet the minimum safety standards set out by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). The current standard for Safety Footwear across Europe (EN) is EN ISO 20345:2011.
EN ISO 20345:2011: Explained
This international standard specifices basic and additional (optional) requirements for safety footwear used for general purposes. It includes, for example, mechanical risks, slip resistance, thermal risks, ergonomic behavior.
The classification system used to identify the protection provided by the footwear is listed:
Safety Boots standards explained
| Category | EN ISO 20345 Requirments |
|---|---|
| SB | Basic requirements: The presence of a safety toecap providing protection against impact injury to the toes caused by falling objects. Level of protection provided is 200 joules. Prevention of compression injury to the toes if trapped under a heavy object. Level of this protection is 15kN. |
| SBP | As SB standard plus penetration resistance. |
| S1 | As SB standard plus closed seat region, antistatic properties, resistance to fuel oil and energy absorption of seat region. |
| S1P | As S1 standard plus penetration resistance. |
| S2 | As S1 standard plus water penetration and water absorption resistance. |
| S3 | As S2 standard plus cleated outsole and penetration resistance. |
| S4 | 200 joule toecap protection. All rubber or all polymeric footwear with antistatic properties. Resistance to fuel oil, energy absorption of seat region and closed seat region. |
| S5 | As S4 standard plus cleated outsole and penetration resistance. |
| Slip resistance ratings | Footwear that has passed tests for slip resistance will also have one of the following codes: |
| SRA | Tested on ceramic tile wetted with sodium lauryl sulphate(SLS) (a diluted soap solution – Water with 5% Sodium Lauryl Sulphate (SLS) solution) |
| SRB | Tested on steel with glycerol |
| SRC | Tested under SRA and SRB conditions – Ceramic tile with SLS* & Steel floor with Glycerol |
| Additional symbols/abbreviations | |
| P | Penetration resistance |
| CI | Resistance to inimical environments: Cold insulation of sole complex |
| A | Electrical properties: Antistatic footwear |
| E | Energy absorption of seat region |
| I | Electricity insulating footwear |
| WR | Water Resistance |
| M | Metatarsal Protection |
| AN | Ankle Protection |
| CR | Cut Resistant Upper |
| WRU | Water Penetration and Water Absorption Upper |
| HRO | Outsole Resistance to Hot Contact |
| FO | Resistance to fuel oil |
EN ISO 13287:2012: Explained
This European Standard specifices a method of test for the slip resistance of conventionally soled safety, protective and occupational footwear.
It is not applicable to special purpose footwear containing spikes, metal snaps or similar.
The item of footwear to be tested is put on a surface, subjected to a given normal force and moved horizontally relative to the surface.
The frictional force is measured and the dynamic coefficient of friction is calculated.
If the outsole passes both the ceramic tile test (SRA) and the steel floor test (SRB) it is marked as SRC.
Footwear our collection
Innovation, quality components, styling and expert construction define the Portwest footwear collections. Working onsite in construction, factories, as an electrician or a plumber all day can take its toll on your feet. That’s why finding the right safety shoe or safety boot for you is essential.
Providing both comfort and protection, Base safety shoes are created using modern, innovative technology resulting in safety designs that deliver.
There are 3 standards; S1, S2 and S3 all of which offer protection to the user. S3 safety boots have the advantage of advanced water resistance due to the leather used to create the safety boot. However, protection is threefold in all of the Base safety shoe range with a steel toecap/composite toe cap that offers premium protection to the wearer’s toes from potential workplace dangers such as falling materials, knocks and bumps.
All of the steel toecaps are hidden discretely within the shoe so that you don’t have to compromise on style for safety. The sole of the safety boots is extremely robust which protects the foot from underneath and reduces the likelihood of impaling the foot on sharp objects that can be found on construction sites and factories.
Safety is ingrained into this shoe range, the large number of size options are available as well as male and female specific shoes that understand the different needs of the user so that you can find the safety shoe that best molds to your feet.
A tight-fitting safety boot gives you ankle support, reducing the risk of sprains and breaks in the workplace, therefore finding that perfect size is key. Whether you decide to choose an S1, S2 or S3 safety shoe you can rest assured that your feet will be comfortable and protected all day, every day.