Work shoes and boots must comply with the UNE EN ISO 20345 standard for safety footwear. This part of the equipment is intended to ensure the comfort and safety of workers.
However, not all jobs have the same needs and conditions. Therefore, footwear must be adapted to the possible situations and risks that may arise from them.
The new European standard governing safety footwear requirements is UNE EN ISO 20345:2022.
BASIC REQUIREMENTS FOR SAFETY FOOTWEAR IN ISO 20345:2022
The basic requirements for safety footwear are:
- Supportive toe cap:
- 200J impact
- Compression of 15KN
- Slip resistance on soaped tile (old SRA marking but with the front part backwards, previously it was forward). This requirement will not be specially marked as it is mandatory for all safety footwear.
ADDITIONAL TESTS (OPTIONAL REQUIREMENTS)
SLIP RESISTANCE
- SR when overlaying tile with glycerine. The heel slip shall be forward and the front shall be rearward. Disappearance of the steel with glycerine test (former SRB).
- Ø indicates that the footwear has not undergone the slip test. Special purpose footwear with spikes, metal studs or similar elements for soft ground (sand, mud, wood…).
Anti-puncture insoles
- Metal insoles. The punch remains 4.5 mm in diameter and will continue to be marked with a P.
- Non-metallic insoles. The distinction is made between 2 classes:
- Punch of 4.5 mm diameter (used for testing up to now). They will be marked as PL (L for “large”).
- Punch 3 mm in diameter. To be marked as PS (S for small). Offers greater protection.
Water resistance
We have two options:
- WPA will be the new designation for water penetration and water absorption resistant footwear (footwear constructed of water repellent material, not waterproof). Previously it was marked WRU.
- WR: waterproof footwear, incorporating a waterproof membrane. This designation already existed, but now the specific levels S6 and S7 are added.
FO: Resistance to hydrocarbons
This is optional, previously it was a compulsory test from S1 onwards.
SC: abrasion of toe cap reinforcement
A new test to assess abrasion in the toe area for shoes with toe cap reinforcement.
LG: grip on stairs
The soles must have a specific design in the shank area as defined in EN 15090 for firefighters’ footwear.
ADDITIONAL NON-MANDATORY TESTS
| SYMBOL | REQUIREMENT |
| P | Puncture resistance (metallic insole type P) greater than or equal to 1100N. Punch 4,5 mm. |
| PL | Puncture resistance (non-metallic insole type PL) greater than or equal to 1100N. Punch 4,5 mm |
| PS | Puncture resistance (non-metallic insole Type PS) average greater than or equal to 1100N. no value less than 950N. Punch 3 mm |
| C | Partially conductive footwear (≤100kΩ) |
| A | Antistatic footwear (0.1MΩ and 1000MΩ) |
| HI / CI | Resistance to adverse environments: Insulation against heat from the sole. Insulation against the cold of the sole. |
| E | Energy absorption of the heel area ≥20J |
| WR | Water resistant footwear |
| M | Metatarsal protection |
| AN | Ankle protection |
| CR | Cut resistance |
| SC | Toe cap reinforcement abrasion |
| SR | Slip resistance - on glycerine ceramic tile |
| WPA | Resistance to water penetration and water absorption |
| HRO | Contact heat resistant sole |
| FO | Resistance to hydrocarbons |
| LG | Grip on stairs |
LEVELS OF PROTECTION
– In EN ISO 20345:2022 the levels of protection range from SB to S7 and different sub-levels are created according to the type of anti-puncture insole.
– Levels SB to S3 and S6 to S7 belong to class I footwear and S4 and S5 to class II..
- Class I footwear with leather or other materials.
- Class II footwear made of all polymer.
– At S1 level if an anti-puncture insole was added it was marked as S1+P. Now S1P will be for metallic insoles and in the case of non-metallic insoles it will be S1PL or S1PS depending on the type.
– The levels that include the anti-puncture insole, such as S3, are now subdivided into 3 depending on the type of insole, so we will have S3 for metallic insoles, S3L for PL non-metallic insoles and S3S for PS non-metallic insoles. Levels S5 and S7 work in the same way.
MEANING OF THE SYMBOLS OF THE DESIGNATION
| CATEGORY | BASIC REQUIREMENTS | ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS |
| SB | Class I or II | |
| S1 | Class I | As SB, plus: Closed heel area, Energy absorption in the heel Antistatic |
| S2 | Class I | As S1, plus: Water penetration and absorption |
| S3 (metal insole type P) or S3L (non-metal insole type PL) or S3S (non-metal insole type PS) | Clase I | As S2, plus: Puncture resistance depending on the type of sole with protrusions |
| S4 | Class II | As SB, plus: Closed back Energy absorption in heel area Antistatic |
| S5 (metal insole type P) or S5L (non-metallic insole type PL) or S5S (non-metallic insole type PS) | Clase II | As S4, plus: Puncture resistance depending on the type Embossed outsole |
| S6 | Class I | As S2, plus: water resistance of the complete shoe |
| S7 (metal insole type P) or S7L (non-metallic insole type PL) S7S (non-metallic ionsole type PS) | Class I | As S3, plus: Water resistance of the entire shoe |
CATEGORIES OF OCCUPATIONAL FOOTWEAR MARKING
| CATEGORY | BASIC REQUIREMENTS (Table 1 and Table 3) | ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS |
| OB | Class I or II | |
| 01 | Class I | As OB, plus Closed heel area Energy absorption in the heel Antistatic |
| 02 | Class I | As O1, plus Water penetration and absorption |
| O3 (metal sole type P) or O3L (non-metallic sole type PL) O3S (non-metallic sole type PS) | Class I | As O2, plus Puncture resistance depending on the type Sole with protrusions |
| 04 | Class II | As OB, plus Closed back. Energy absorption in the heel area Antistatic |
SHELF LIFE OF FOOTWEAR
The expiry date of the footwear during storage before use depends on the effects of time and environment and has to be indicated by the manufacturer.
It is the responsibility of the manufacturer to determine all factors that may influence the expected time of use and/or protection (e.g. UV radiation, heat, cold, water, salt, temporary factors of material properties…). The obsolescence date for footwear is usually set as follows:
- 10 years after the date of manufacture for footwear made of leather, rubber, thermoplastic materials and EVA.
- 5 years after the date of manufacture for footwear including PVC.
- 4 years after the date of manufacture for footwear including PU and TPU.
Expiry dates should be demonstrated by evidence (based on testing or experience). The manufacturer cannot predict the expiry date during use.
SAFETY FOOTWEAR
WORK FOOTWEAR
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS FOR FOOTWEAR
