An Ultimate Guide to Footwear Safety Codes & Ratings

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Footwear Safety Codes, Ratings & Standards

There are numerous things you need to consider when buying new safety footwear. While style and colour are important (we still want to look good when we’re at work after all!), these variables take a backseat to the overall fit and protection standards when choosing safety boots and shoes.

This guide explains the footwear safety codes, ratings, standards and classifications that you should understand before buying yourself a new pair, including a rundown of all the abbreviations you might have come across. We’ve also shared some practical tips from our experts to make it easier for you to find a protective boot or shoe that perfectly suits your needs.

Footwear PPE regulations

Whether it’s safety boots or eyewear, the need for protective gear is generally determined in conjunction with the Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) at Work Regulations 1992.

If you want to know more about your employer’s responsibility to keep you safe at work – including the provision of PPE safety boots and other equipment – then the Health and Safety Executive website should be your first port of call. Or check out this handy PDF.

What does EN ISO 20345:2011 mean?

While it sounds complicated, EN ISO 20345:2011 is simple.

EN ISO 20345:2011 is the standard to which all styles that are classified as ‘safety footwear’ are tested to. It specifies basic and additional (optional) requirements for safety footwear. So, lets break it down…

  • EN – this is the current standard for safety footwear across Europe.
  • ISO – all products mustmeet the minimum safety standards set out by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO).
  • 20345 – the assigned legislation number.
  • 2011 – the footwear safety standard was updated in 2011 to become even more stringent. All safety footwear must now have toe protection against a 200-joule impact (this means the amount of energy the toe region can absorb before breaking).

Safety footwear abbreviations


Protective boots and shoes come in many forms. There are antistatic shoes, ECD (Electrostatic Discharge) safety shoes, cut-resistant boots and footwear that is specifically designed to protect delicate parts of the foot like the metatarsal.

Here’s a list of abbreviations that are commonly used…

Safety boot ratings

There’s a clear system in place to gauge the level of protection offered by safety footwear, based on the abbreviations mentioned above. Again, it might sound tricky but it’s easier than it looks. Here’s a breakdown of the ratings for safety shoes and work boots used in the UK…

SB (Safety Basic)

The basic safety standard for footwear. Any product that is classified as SB only has a protective toecap against a 200-joule impact. Therefore, SB styles should only be specified for use in areas where there is no risk to damage under foot.

SB styles may have additional safety features which will be recognised via other symbols. For example, SB-P means the safety footwear also has the additional feature of penetration resistance of the midsole.

S1 (antistatic, oil-resistant and energy absorption)

On top of the basic toe protection, S1 ensures the footwear has antistatic protection, is resistant to fuel oil and has energy absorption in the heel. Again, other symbols can be added, such as S1-P as above.

S1P styles should only be specified for indoor environments where they will not be exposed to rainwater or outdoor elements.

S2 (prevents water penetration)

S2 has the same protection as S1, plus the added protection of preventing water penetration and absorption of the upper.

S3 (midsole penetration resistance)

S3 safety boots encompass the same levels of protection as S2, plus midsole penetration resistance.

S3 styles are the most specified standard for industry and can typically have additional features that are classified differently.

S4 (leak-proof)

All the same features of S4 footwear with the added benefit of midsole penetration resistance to prevent sharp objects from piercing the sole.

Standards for non-slip safety shoes

In many workplaces, anti-slip shoes are vital. There are separate standards that non-slip work boots and shoes must meet. This is how they are classified…

  1. SRA: this is the classification for footwear that should be worn in environments where there is a low chance of slip.
  1. SRB: if a product passes the SRA test, it can be tested for an SRB rating. Once it has achieved both, it becomes SRC.
  1. SRC: As stated above, SRC rated footwear has been tested for both the above conditions and will give the best chance of preventing a slip, fall or trip.

Top tips for selecting your safety shoes

Now that you know about the relevant standards, you’re in a better position to make an informed purchase. To help you find the best safety boots to suit your needs, we asked our experts to share five practical tips.

1. Comfortable safety footwear is key

In recent years, more and more people have been searching for lightweight work footwear. As the demand for safety trainers and shoes has continued to grow, there’s been a big shift away from the standard black cobble leather boot – which offered little flexibility.

In the past, injection-moulded safety footwear was produced from single-density PU (polyurethane) material – whereas now, most are produced from dual-density PU which offers greater manoeuvrability.

2. Know what level of protection you need

Safety footwear, in general, is produced with the main aim of protecting the toes and base of the feet – toe protectors are a minimum requirement in many industries. However, you may need more than this.

Think about the job that you do. For example, a person who is working on a building site or demolition workplace would be unwise to buy safety footwear that didn’t have a midsole to protect against underfoot nail penetration. A person working in a petrol station or any place of work where there is a high risk of flammability should buy boots with antistatic and electrical resistance properties.

3. Find the correct size for you

As you’re going to spend a large portion of the day with them on your feet, it’s important to find safety footwear that fits correctly. Find our shoe size chart here.

Keep in mind that if you are between sizes, you should size up. Also remember, if you usually wear a size 8 but you require an extra-wide fit, you’re likely to be better suited to a size 9.

4. Don’t buy second hand!

There’s no room for debate here. You should never buy second-hand safety footwear, as you do not know what physical activity it has been subjected to. Once a safety shoe shows any sign of damage to the toe cap or midsole, it should be replaced.

All types of safety footwear have their intrinsic built-in safety aspects and there are many types of constructions, upper materials and brand factors that will impact on price. Don’t automatically be put off by cheap safety boots. You can obtain a high-technical-spec safety boot at a much lower price than one offering the same standards.

5. Safety footwear aftercare

When you’re buying new shoes or boots, think about how you can make them last. Good aftercare will without doubt enhance their lifespan. Shoes should be given time to naturally air dry to prevent the build-up of perspiration and external moisture. Laces should be untied and laced for each wear.

We hope this guide has brought you up to speed with the what the common footwear safety codes, ratings and standards mean in plain English. Do you have a burning question related to safety shoes? Contact our friendly experts on Facebook or Twitter who will be happy to help!

If you’re in the market for some new safety shoes or boots, discover our affordable range for men and women, here.

 

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7 COMMENTS

  1. On safety boots/shoes, why is only midsole protected? The heel is just as important.

    • Hi Nick, Thanks for your comment, you make a good point.
      In the case of safety footwear, the protected areas are those which are deemed most vulnerable to injury from the working environment. Which is from above (falling/crushing objects) and below (sharp objects that can penetrate the shoe).
      The heel is a vulnerable part of the foot, but the likelihood of damage to the heel is deemed low in percentage terms to the other parts. Hope that helps?

  2. Hi , Are safety boots required on a building site or are safety shoes acceptable ,recent CSR course indicated safety shoes & rigger boots were not acceptable due ankle injuries ?
    Bill

  3. In reply to Nick Christianson’s question, the term midsole when used to describe the penetration resistance component refers to the position of the protective layer vertically, it being between the outer (lower) and inner (upper) sole components. The anti penetration layer protects the whole of the foot from the toe end to the rear of the heel.

  4. Good morning,

    I would like to ask if You have any discounts for companies that have their employees and want to supply them with safety shoes s3 and maybe working clothes for welding (weight: 320).

    We are a company that mediates in various major projects. We are interested in prices for a quantity of 30 pairs of shoes (of diffrent sizes, but the same model) per month, 50 pairs of shoes per month and 100 pairs per month. The same for clothes for welding, the same amounts.

    I would like to ask You for an individual quote/offer for individual shoes and clothes from the above and lower price range.

    We are interested in a longer cooperation, we ask for the approximate cost of delivery of these shoes to Poland, Germany, Holand.

    If the cost will suit us then we will order them in your shop.

    Thank You in advance.

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