There’s a plethora of industries that require specialist footwear to keep people safe. From a risk of falling items to chemical hazards, protecting the feet is essential. As such, footwear safety ratings help you make informed choices about the shoes you invest in.
Each job will require different levels of protection or additional features. Knowing what to look for can be difficult, so we’ve broken down the key safety ratings to help you protect you and your team.
The EN ISO 20345 Requirements for Safety Footwear
For safety shoes the EN ISO 20345 defines the requirements for safety footwear. This includes:
- The height of the upper
- The heel area on boots
- Minimum length, pressure and bump impact resistance on the toe cap
- Water vapour permeability
- Outsole thickness and abrasion resistance
Safety footwear is then divided into eight protection classes. Each class offers a different level of protection and features, suitable for a variety of industries.
What Are EN ISO 20345 Safety Ratings?
Footwear safety ratings are designed and enforced to keep people safe in the workplace. Regardless of whether you wear safety trainers, safety boots or other protective footwear, the standards adhere to EN ISO 20345:2021, which is the same across Europe and the UK. It specifies the basic and additional safety footwear requirements to meet safety standards.
As there are many different types of safety footwear, codes and abbreviations are used to demonstrate the different features. The main ratings you need to pay attention to are ‘S ratings’. These show the level of protection the footwear has.
What Are the Eight S Ratings?
There are six levels of protection footwear can have, with some of the ratings broken down into more specific levels.
- SB: Safety Basic (includes toe protection)
- SBP: Safety Basic with additional mid-sole protection against penetrating objects
- S1: Anti-static, oil-resistant, and energy absorption features
- S1P: Anti-static, oil-resistant, absorbs energy and has additional mid-sole protection against penetration
- S2: Prevents water penetration
- S3: Midsole penetration resistance
- S4: Leakproof
- S5: Leak proof with midsole penetration resistance.
SB and SBP Rating:
This standard of footwear is the minimum requirement for safety footwear. The only requirement is the toe cap which must withstand an impact of 200 Joules. The footwear may have additional features which would be signified with another code on the end of ‘SB’.
SB styles may be used in areas where there is no specific area of risk underfoot. They can be found in retail stores. For jobs where there is a likely risk of harm, the safety standard is likely to be higher and more specific.
SBP has the same requirement as SB but with the additional mid-sole protection against penetration. The mid-sole refers to the material that connects the upper to the outsole, it provides more comfort and protection.
S1 and S1P Rating:
S1 safety shoes meet the same requirements as Safety Basic footwear. In addition to these needs S1 styles must have: a closed heel, anti-static properties, the ability to absorb energy through the heel and a sole that provides resistance to hydrocarbons (e.g. fuel, turpentine etc.).
A S1P shoe has the same features as the S1, but also features an anti-perforation sole. This provides protection from sharp objects entering the shoe. They are more typically suited to indoor environments, such as warehouses. Exposing S1P footwear to water or outside elements may damage the shoe.
Both styles are best suited to those who work in dry places where there is no risk of sharp objects.
S2 Rating:
S2 styles have the same protection as S1, in addition to water resistance. The upper of an S2 rated shoe prevents water from being absorbed into itself. They are best suited to an environment that has minimal risk of sharp objects but may be humid or damp.
Similarly to the above styles, S2s aren’t suitable when there is a risk of sharp objects.
S3 Rating:
S3 safety shoes feature the same properties as S2s. They have a water repellent upper, are anti-static and have an anti-perforation sole.
This safety ranking is the most common standard for industry. They may also have additional features which are classified separately.
S4 Rating:
An S4 style safety shoe has the same protective capabilities as a S1 shoe. However, it is moulded from a rubber or polymer to make the shoe completely waterproof.
S4s are suitable for working in wet weather or around a lot of moisture.
S5 Rating:
S5s are a step up from S4s. They encompass the same features but are kitted out with an anti-perforation midsole and an anti-slip outsole as well. S5 shoes are suitable for environments with water or liquid. This safety ranking is suitable for heavy industries including mines and construction sites, where sharp or falling objects are likely.
Other Common Symbols
You may notice other symbols in addition to the standard safety ratings. It is common for safety shoes to have additional features that are industry specific. The most common abbreviations are these:
- P – Penetration resistance
- A – Anti-static
- E – Energy absorption through the heel
- HI – Heat insulation
- CI – Cold insulation
- WRU – Water resistance of upper
- HRO – Heat resistance of outsole
- WR – Whole shoe is waterproof
- M – Metatarsal protection
- FO – Oil and petrol resistant
- SRA – The lowest of the anti-slip categories. Tested on ceramic tile dampened with dilute soap Should be worn where slips are unlikely.
- SRB – Tested on smooth steel with glycerol. Once a product passes the SRA test, it can be tested as SRB. If it achieves both it becomes SRC
- SRC – Footwear that has passed SRA and SRB tests. SRC footwear has the best chance of protecting from slips, trips and falls.
Which Safety Rating Should You Choose?
Ultimately, the safety rating of your shoe depends on your industry. It is possible to have a basic safety rating with additional safety features added to suit your workplace. For example, firefighters may want toe protection as well as protection from chemicals.
Choosing the right safety footwear rating is crucial for ensuring worker safety and compliance with industry standards. By understanding the specific hazards of your work environment and the corresponding safety ratings, you can select the appropriate footwear to protect against potential injuries.
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