THE safety shoes are essential personal protective equipment for protect workers and their feet from the dangers that exist in the workplace.
They are designed to offer a protection against shocks, cuts and damage caused by heavy objects or sharp.
They are mandatory for the workers construction, handling and welding professions because they ensure the protection of their feet against potential risks such as cuts, crushing and burns.
THE safety footwear standards are very important and should be considered when choosing safety shoes for your work.
In this article, we will tell you what you need to know about safety footwear standards.
1. Safety footwear standards
To ensure the effectiveness of the safety shoes as personal protective equipment (PPE), they must meet certain standards security defined by each country or region.
In Europe, the standard EN ISO 20345 is the most common standard for safety shoes. This standard specifies the minimum requirements for safety footwear, including requirements for resistance to shocks, resistance to the compression, resistance to the perforation, resistance to the slide and water resistance.
The standard EN ISO 20345 also requires that all safety shoes be subjected to laboratory tests to ensure that they meet the requirements minimum security.
In the United States, the ASTM F2413 standard is the current standard for safety footwear. This standard specifies the minimum requirements for safety footwear.
There ASTM F2413 standard also requires that all safety footwear be marked with safety symbols to indicate their level of protection. Safety symbols include compression resistance, puncture resistance, slip resistance and resistance electric.
THE standards security for the safety shoes vary from country to country and may be updated regularly. It is recommended to check the safety standards applicable to your country or region before purchasing safety shoes.
2. Protection levels safety shoes
Safety footwear standards specify the different levels of protection required for footwear depending on the potential risks in different work environments.
These include classifications based on different levels of protection, such as S1 standards, S2, S3, SRC And S1P. These classifications are based on risks and environments work shoes and are used to help workers choose the appropriate safety footwear.
- There S1 standard specifies minimum requirements for safety footwear, including resistance to shocks, abrasion resistance, resistance oil and resistance to perforation. S1 safety shoes are therefore suitable for work environments where risks are low.
- There S2 standard adds additional requirements, such as the water resistance and energy absorption in the heel area. Safety shoes S2 are therefore suitable for work environments where there is a risk of contact with liquids or wet surfaces.
- There S3 standard adds additional requirements, such as resistance to penetration and the resistant sole perforation. Safety shoes S3 are then suitable for work environments where there is a risk of contact with objects pointed or sharp.
- There SRC classification is a certification additional safety for safety shoes that have been tested for their slip resistance on lubricated ceramic and steel surfaces. Safety shoes SRC thus meet the sliding requirements on the most common surfaces in work environments.
- There S1P standard is similar to the S1 standard, but it also requires a heat-resistant sole. perforation. Safety shoes S1P are therefore suitable for work environments where there is a risk of contact with sharp objects or sharp.
By understanding the different classifications For safety shoes, you can choose the shoes appropriate for your work environment and ensure your security in the workplace. It is important to note that some safety standards for safety footwear may have additional requirements depending on the risks in certain work environments.
3. Safety shoe standards symbols
Safety symbols are graphic icons that are used to indicate the different protection levels offered by safety footwear. These symbols may include icons to indicate impact resistance, puncture resistance, water resistance, oil resistance and slip resistance.
THE safety symbol The most common symbol for safety shoes is a circle surrounding a shoe with an arrow pointing upwards. This symbol indicates that the safety shoes meet the European safety standard EN ISO 20345, which specifies the minimum requirements for safety footwear.
Other commonly used safety symbols for safety shoes include an impact symbol to indicate resistance to shocks, a puncture symbol to indicate puncture resistance, a symbol water drop symbol to indicate water resistance, an oil symbol to indicate oil resistance, and a slip symbol to indicate slip resistance.
In addition to these symbols, some safety shoes may also carry additional symbols to indicate specific features such as heat resistance or to thestatic electricity. It is important to understand the safety symbols on your safety footwear to ensure you have the appropriate protection for your work environment.
Therefore, do not hesitate to consult the safety standards applicable to your country before purchasing safety shoes and understand the safety symbols used on your safety shoes to ensure your safety in the workplace.
4. Materials used to make safety shoes
THE safety shoes are made from different materials to provide a protection effective against potential risks and dangers in different work environments.
THE materials most commonly used for safety shoes include leather, rubber, textiles, PVC and composite materials.
THE leather is a durable and breathable material that is often used to make the upper part of safety shoes. Leather offers a resistance high abrasion and tear resistance, making it ideal for harsh working environments.
THE rubber is a resistant material and anti-slip which is generally used to manufacture the sole safety shoes. The rubber sole provides good adhesion on slippery surfaces and can also provide protection against shocks.
THE textile is a lightweight material and breathable which is frequently used for lining the safety shoes. THE textile provides good breathability for the feet, which can help prevent excessive sweating and odor.
THE PVC is a water and oil resistant material that is used for uppers and soles safety shoes. PVC offers good resistance to chemicals and abrasion, making it ideal for work environments where these risks are high.
THE composite materials, such as the kevlar, carbon and fiberglass, are often used to reinforce parts of safety shoes who are exposed to high risks of shocks, perforations or compressions.THE composite materials offer a protection high while being more light than traditional materials such as steel.
Conclusion
By understanding the safety footwear standards, you can choose the right shoes for your job and ensure your safety in the workplace. Using the information in this article, you can be sure that you have all the knowledge you need to buy safety shoes conform to appropriate safety standards.
