Personal protective equipment. Safety footwear
Toe protection against shocks equivalent to a level of energy equal
to 200J and the risks of flattening under a maximal weight of 1500 daN.
Information and main changes to the 2021 version Many mandatory tests are carried out on safety shoes. The tests are applied to the whole footwear but also separately to the upper, the lining, the insoles, the tongue, the outsole and components such as the toe cap and the anti-perforation insert if present. These tests include design tests (upper height, heel area), construction, slip resistance, innocuousness, tearing, abrasion, etc. These tests are carried out mainly according to standard EN ISO 20344: 2021. The toe caps used must first comply with EN ISO 22568-1: 2019 (metalic toecap) or EN ISO 22568-2: 2019 (non-metallic toecap) standards. The perforation resistant inserts used must first comply with the standards EN ISO 22568-3: 2019 (metallic insert), or EN ISO 22568-4: 2019 (non-metallic insert). Many other additional tests are possible depending on the model and the manufacturer's claims. For example: resistance of the sole to heat (HI marking), against cold (CI marking), protection of the ankle (AN marking) etc. Note: the resistance of the sole to hydrocarbons is a test that has become optional (marking FO); it was mandatory in the old version. The old WRU marking (resistance of the upper to water penetration and absorption) becomes WPA Some new tests are introduced: - Scuff cap abrasion test (SC marking): This requirement concerns the over-caps on the front of the upper. These over-caps must reach a certain number of cycles during an abrasion test to be marked SC (this test makes it possible to differentiate between aesthetic over-caps and functional over-caps) - Ladder sole grip system (LG marking) the heel and cleats must be suitable for climbing a ladder. Two new codes have been created: S6 and S7. S6 is identical to S2 (no anti-perforation insert) with the addition of water resistance of the entire shoe (usually thanks to a waterproof membrane in the shoe). S7 is identical to S3 (with an anti-perforation insert) with the addition of water resistance of the whole footewear (usually thanks to a waterproof membrane in the shoe). PERFORATION TEST No change regarding the perforation test for the metallic anti-perforation insert (P marking) compared to the 2011 version. On the other hand, for the non-metallic anti-perforation insert, two test nails can be used at the choice of the manufacturer: Type Y: (PL marking) This is the same nail used for the steel sole; diameter (4.5 ± 0.05) mm, conical in shape, with an angle of (30 ± 2)° and the end of which is truncated at (1 ± 0.02) mm. Type X: (PS marking) Use of a test nail with a diameter of (3.0 ± 3) mm, a pyramidal shape, an angle of (30 ± 2)° and a truncated end of (1 ± 0.04) mm2. (see EN ISO 22568-4: 2019). For more information on the test nails used, we advise you to read the technical and scientific note of October 2013 (NS 309) from the INRS. |
Categories identifiable by a code group combinations gather most of
common requirements.
Class I or II |
SB: Basic properties |
Class I |
S1: Basic properties plus - Closed heel area - Antistatic properties - Energy absorption of heel area |
Class I |
S2: like S1, plus - Water penetration and water absorption. |
Class I |
S3, S3L, S3S : as S2, plus - Perforation resistance according to the type S3: (metal insert type P) or S3L: (non metal insert type PL) or S3S: (non metal insert type PS) - Cleated outsole |
Class II |
S4: Basic properties plus - Closed heel area - Antistatic properties - Energy absorption of seat region |
Class II |
S5, S5L, S5S : as S4, plus - Perforation resistance according to the type S5: (metal insert type P) or S5L: (non metal insert type PL) or S5S: non metal insert type PS) - cleated outsole |
Class I |
S6 as S2, plus Water resistance of the whole footwear |
Class I |
S7 as S3, plus Water resistance of the whole footwear S7 (metal insert type P) or S7L (non-metal insert type PL) or S7S (non-metal insert type PS) |
Specifications |
Symbol |
Perforation resistance (metal insert type P) Perforation resistance (non-metal insert type PL) Perforation resistance (non-metal insert type PS) |
P PL PS |
Electrical properties Partially conductive footwear Antistatic footwear |
C A |
Resistance to inimical environments Heat insulation of outsole complex Cold insulation of outsole complex |
HI CI |
Energy absorption of seat region |
E |
Water resistance |
WR |
Metatarsal protection |
M |
Ankle protection |
AN |
Cut resistance |
CR |
Scuff cap abrasion |
SC |
Slip resistance- on ceramic tile floor with glycerine |
SR |
Water penetration and absorption |
WPA |
Resistance to hot contact Resistance to fuel oil Ladder grip |
HRO FO LG |