Types of work footwear: differences between safety footwear and work footwear

In the professional environment, choosing the right footwear goes far beyond comfort: it is a matter of safety, regulations and performance.

Safety, work or professional footwear are often referred to as if they were the same thing, but in reality there are important differences between them. At Fal Seguridad, we are guided by the highest standards to design footwear that adapts to each specific need. That is why it is important to clarify what distinguishes each type, what regulations they follow and in what situations they are used.

What is safety footwear?

Safety footwear is footwear that incorporates elements specifically designed to protect workers from occupational hazards. Its most notable feature is that it includes a safety toe cap, capable of withstanding impacts of at least 200 J (joules) and compressions of up to 15 kN (kilonewtons).

Regulatory standard

The applicable standard is UNE-EN ISO 20345, which defines the minimum requirements that this type of footwear must meet. Within this category, there are different levels of protection:

• SB (Safety Basic): minimum level of requirements, including protective toe cap.
• S1: SB + anti-slip properties, energy absorption in the heel and resistance to hydrocarbons.
• S1P: S1 + anti-perforation insole.
• S2: S1 + resistance to penetration and water absorption.
• S3: S2 + anti-perforation insole and lugged sole.
• S4 y S5: specific for polymer or moulded footwear (such as safety wellington boots).

What is work or professional footwear?

Work footwear, or professional footwear, is designed to provide comfort throughout the working day and protect against minor risks. Unlike safety footwear, it does not always have a reinforced toe cap, as its main purpose is to provide comfort and adapt to less extreme working environments.

Relevant regulations

This type of footwear is regulated by UNE-EN ISO 20347, which establishes requirements for footwear intended for work environments where there is no risk of impact or severe compression. Its categories include:

• OB: basic requirements (slip resistance and certain physical tests).
• O1: OB + closed heel area, slip resistance, antistatic and energy absorption in the heel.
• O2: O1 + penetration resistance and water absorption.
• O3: O2 + anti-perforation insole and treaded sole.

This is common in sectors such as hospitality, healthcare, cleaning or retail, where there is no risk of heavy objects falling, but there is a need for slip resistance, resistance to hydrocarbons, etc. Obviously, each sector and each job has its own needs depending on the risks inherent to the position. Hence the importance of a good initial assessment of the position.

Main differences between the two types of footwear

Feature	Safety footwear (ISO 20345)	Work footwear (ISO 20347)
Protective toe cap	Yes, resistant to 200 J	Not mandatory
Puncture protection	Yes, in S1P, S3, S5 models	Only in O3 (with lower requirements)
Sectors of use	Industry, construction, logistics, metallurgy, etc.	Healthcare, hospitality, services, cleaning, etc
Weight	Generally heavier due to reinforcements	Lighter
Regulatory	requirements Stricter	Adapted to lower risk

When is one or the other needed?

The choice between safety footwear and professional footwear should always be based on an assessment of the risks of the job:

• If there is a risk of heavy objects falling, cuts, punctures in the floor or exposure to chemicals or abrasive substances, safety footwear is appropriate.
• On the other hand, if the job requires standing for long hours, moving around on slippery floors or maintaining high levels of hygiene —as is the case in healthcare— and there is no risk of mechanical impact, professional footwear is usually sufficient.

Furthermore, today there are models of safety footwear that perfectly combine protection and comfort. Thanks to materials such as composite toe caps, dual-density PU soles, breathable fabrics and systems such as BOA® Fit or Gore-Tex —found in many Fal Seguridad models— it is possible to work safely without sacrificing comfort.

Fal Seguridad footwear: tailor-made protection

At Fal Seguridad, we manufacture both safety and professional footwear, complying with the relevant EN ISO standards. Our models are designed for a wide range of sectors, such as:

• Heavy industry: safety boots with dual-density polyurethane or nitrile rubber soles with SR slip resistance.
• Healthcare and services: ultra-lightweight and washable professional footwear.
• Special forces: such as firefighters or police, with models certified under additional standards such as EN 15090.

Furthermore, all products are developed in Spain using certified and sustainable processes, as you can see at falseguridad.com/normative.

Knowing how to differentiate between safety footwear and professional footwear is not just a matter of words: it directly influences worker protection and compliance with regulations. At Fal Seguridad, we are clear about this, which is why we design technical, reliable solutions tailored to each profession. Because safety, in any job, starts with your feet.

safety footwear

work footwear