Protecting feet against hazards in the workplace is key. The footwear you choose for your employees should meet legal standards, be appropriate for the task, the individual, and the environment in which they are working. It must also be used and cared for correctly by those who are wearing them.
We understand that it can be confusing to decide what safety footwear is suitable for your workers, so we’ve put together this guide on the main safety footwear standard to help.
What is EN ISO 20345?
The full name is EN ISO 20345:2011 Personal Protective Equipment – Safety Footwear and this is the standard that all styles classified as ‘safety footwear’ are tested to. It was formerly referred to as EN345, but this was replaced by EN ISO 20345:2004. EN ISO 20345:2007 was the next revision, followed by EN ISO 20345:2011, which is the current version of this standard.
The EN ISO 20345:2011 standard sets out new tougher minimum requirements than previous versions. It specifies that ALL safety footwear must have toe protection and also specifies a standard of 200 joules impact resistance (equivalent to a 20kg weight dropped 1020mm onto the toes), and a 15KN compression test (equivalent to 1.5 tonnes resting on the toe area).
All safety footwear manufactured after the 31st July 2013 must meet this standard. However, this doesn’t mean that footwear made before that date is now of no use, but that those produced after that date will meet the new tougher standard.
Assessing the risks
Before selecting safety footwear for your workers you should refer to a recent risk assessment of the workplace, or carry one out if it doesn’t already exist. The results of this assessment will indicate which hazards you will need to protect the feet against, hence allowing you to choose the most suitable safety shoes or safety boots.
Hazards that may arise as part of your risk assessment may include:
- Wet conditions
- Electrostatic build-up
- Slipping, cuts and punctures
- Falling objects
- Metal and chemical splash
- Extreme temperatures
- Outdoor or indoor use
It’s also a good idea to ask the workers what they think the hazards are, as they may notice things that are not obvious to you.
EN ISO 20345 safety ratings explained
Once tested and certified, EN ISO 20345 footwear products are stamped with the CE mark and will carry a simple 2 or 3 letter code, which defines the basic safety features for that particular product. Additional properties may be indicated by further codes or pictograms.
See below a table outlining the features that each rating under EN ISO 20345 holds:
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Safety footwear made from leather and other materials (not rubber/polymeric)
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All-rubber or all-polymeric (waterproof wellingtons)
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Rating
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SB
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SBP
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S1
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S1P
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S2
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S3
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SB
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S4
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S5
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200 joules toe cap
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✓
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✓
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✓
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✓
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✓
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✓
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✓
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✓
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✓
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Closed seat region (fully enclosed heel)
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✓
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✓
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✓
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✓
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✓
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✓
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Energy absorption at seat area
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✓
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✓
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✓
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✓
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✓
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✓
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Antistatic properties
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✓
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✓
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✓
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✓
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✓
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✓
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Water penetration & absorption resistance
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✓
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✓
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Penetration resistant midsole
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✓
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✓
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✓
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✓
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Cleated outsole
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✓
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✓
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