The feet are the foundation of the body. They are very vulnerable, and indispensible in everything we do. With the right work shoes, you can work safely and comfortably.
It isn’t always easy to figure out all the different pictograms, standards and quality marks. With the right help, you can find the necessary information on every package so you always make the best choice. Always follow the instructions in the manual for correct use.
The degree of protection provided by work shoes is indicated by the S standard. The higher the number, the better or more extensive the protection.
Work shoes with SB certification offer you protection against minimal risks. They only have a reinforced safety toe made of steel or composite.
Work shoes with S1 certification have a reinforced safety toe made of steel or composite, a closed heel and antistatic sole. With an energy absorbent heel, you can work comfortably on every job.
Safety footwear with S1P certification also has a perforation-resistant insole.
Work shoes with S2 certification have the same specifications as S1 certification and are also water resistant.
Safety footwear with S2P certification also has a perforation-resistant insole.
Work shoes with S3 certification have the same specifications as S2 certification plus a profiled outer sole. This gives you very stable and comfortable footing while working on any task.
Safety footwear with S3 certification always has a perforation-resistant insole.
S4 and S5 standards are for safety boots
Work boots with S4 certification have a reinforced safety toe made of steel or composite and are made of waterproof materials.
Work boots with S5 certification have the same specifications as S4 certification and have an anti-perforation safety sole made of steel or kevlar.
Always choose safe work shoes. The S standards help you make your choice. Always protect yourself as well as possible. Choose the appropriate personal protective equipment for a specific task. This way you will not only work safely, but also better and more comfortably.
Tip: Find the product you need in your nearest building supply store or garden centre.
There are countless pairs of safety boots a person could choose to wear to do their job, however some require something a little more specific than others.
Clearly, some environments are more demanding in terms of PPE than others.
For example, a general construction worker shall require steel toecap safety boots, however, they should also consider penetration-resistance, as they are likely to be working around nails as well as other construction materials.
On the other hand, an oil construction worker shall be working in an environment where slip hazards are likely to appear around the site, and therefore would be obliged to work in oil-resistant safety boots.
Style, price, durability, and practicality are a fine fraction of factors to consider with safety boots.
Although the style or even the price might be right for what you are looking for, when it comes to safety boots, quality is majorly important for securing your safety in the workplace. That's why it is important to check that the pair you are buying or wearing has an adequate certification.
It is not often easy to find safety boots based on your requirements because of difficulty understanding its code - known as the Safety Footwear Code.
EN ISO 20345 and the Safety Boots Code
The main measure of safety standards is EN ISO 20345, requiring that all products must be manufactured, tested and certified under this law.
This safety footwear standard requires all safety shoes to have front foot protection against a 200 joule impact. This is the amount of energy the toe region can absorb before breaking. In other words, the steel toecap.
However, it is a little more complicated as you delve deeper into the subject.
Under the EN ISO 20345 standard there are different safety classes like S1 or S3 for example. Every safety shoe according to the EN ISO 20345 safety footwear standard will be tested on all possible aspects and will be granted an S-class.
S1 - S1 means the safety boot provides basic toe protection and slip-resistant soles, as well as antistatic protection, oil resistance and offers energy absorption in the heel.
S1P - S1P is similar to S1 except includes Penetration resistance.
S2 - Features additional waterproof exterior to S1 safety boots.
S3 - Added midsole penetration resistance from S2 safety boots.
S4 - Unlike S1, S4 has a rubber upper or entirely moulded polymer, such as a Wellington boot, which makes them waterproof and leak-proof.
S5 - An upgrade to S4, featuring midsole penetration resistance.
Another excellent indicator that you've found a strong pair of safety boots is whether it has CE-approval, which shows that it complies to health and safety standards, and has also been merited for adhering to environmental-safety standards during the manufacturing process.
Now that you know what you're looking for, why not check out our special selection of safety boots, all passing the stringent assessments of EN ISO 20345. We also have metal-free options.