Safety shoes are an indispensable part of labor protection equipment, and safety shoes are an indispensable part of labor protection equipment. The choice of safety shoes for employees by enterprises should meet legal standards and be suitable for their work nature and working environment. Now let’s take a look at the new EU standard for safety shoes, EN ISO 20345:2022 “Personal Protective Equipment – Safety Shoes”, which is about to replace the standard EN ISO 20345:2011.
ISO (International Organization for Standardization) is a global federation of national standards bodies (ISO member bodies). The work of preparing International Standards is normally carried out through ISO technical committees.
The new standard will be fully enforced on April 1, 2023, representing the uniform implementation of the EN ISO 20345:2022 standard for foot protection. Let’s take a look at the changes in the new standard.
1.Change of logo
Content Nav
The current standard has identification levels from S1 to S5, and new identification levels will be added after the update: S6 and S7. S6 and S7 standards are used for safety shoes with WR rated full shoe water resistance.
2.Added the third type of mixed shoes
Hybrid shoes have both the characteristics of injection-molded shoes and the characteristics of normal safety shoes. Therefore, it does not belong to the first category of shoes, nor does it belong to the second category of shoes, and it must be tested according to the new standard of mixed shoes.
3.Changes in puncture resistance
For S1P and S3 safety shoes, the symbol P represents an additional mandatory requirement, with changes in puncture resistance, specifically:
(1). The symbol P is still reserved, but only for safety shoes with metal puncture-resistant pads.
(2). Non-metallic puncture-proof pads are divided into two levels: large puncture nails – classic 4.5mm puncture nails PL; small puncture nails – 3mm puncture nails PS.
Later, these changes will also be incorporated into the reform of safety shoe logos:
Metal Puncture Pad: S1P
Non-metallic puncture-resistant pads: S1PL—pass the large puncture nail test; S1PS—pass the small puncture nail test.
Fourth, the main changes to the protective header
The metal toe and non-metal toe are tested separately, and the original test standard of 10mm for both metal and non-metal toe is changed to:
Metal toe cap≤12mm; non-metal toe cap≤15mm
If the protective toe cap has a rolled edge, its width e should not be greater than 10mm; the thickness of the anti-wear coating on the toe should not be less than 1mm.
4.Changes in the anti-skid performance test
The current 3 anti-skid grade marks: SRA/SRB/SRC will be cancelled.
SRA – This anti-slip grade is included in the basic requirements of the standard, that is, the mandatory test, and the anti-skid test with dodecane-based sulfate liquid on the tile floor is still used.
SRB—the steel plate floor is changed to the tile floor, and the test can be added, and the previous SRB logo is changed to SR. On the basis of the anti-skid test using lauryl sulfate, an additional test is performed using glycerin.
Changes to the test section, previously safety shoes were tested on the heel and midsection. At present, the test is performed on the first and third segments of the sole, the heel and the forefoot. This test is applicable to conventional sole shoes. The soles of shoes for special venues (such as sand, mud, spiked shoes, etc.) have a “Ø” symbol on the sole, indicating that they have not been tested.
5.Increase the trapezoidal tooth pattern non-slip outsole (LG)
In order to meet the needs of the special scene of climbing ladders, the outsole should meet the requirements of non-slip outsole specified in the standard.
6.Increase the seam strength of mixed shoes
Hybrid shoe materials can be joined by stitching, welding or other suitable methods, and the joining should achieve a strength of at least 10 N/mm.
7. electrical performance changes
The old version of the standard only divided conductive shoes, electrostatic shoes and insulating shoes; the new version of the standard combines the characteristics of safety shoes currently on the market, changing “conductive shoes” to “partially conductive shoes”, the definition is more accurate, and the actual test is the sole conductive test.
What additional requirements does EN ISO 20345:2022 now specify?
In addition to the basic requirements for safety shoes, there are additional requirements and regulations for various workplace hazards. Changes have also been made here when the standard is revised in Q2 2022.
slip resistance
The anti-skid testing procedures and corresponding certifications for safety shoes have changed. The previous “SRA”, “SRB” and “SRC” certifications are no longer used; instead, the certification “SR” will now be used if the shoe passes the slip test for glycerin tiles. In addition to the floor used to conduct the test, the test procedure was also modified.
penetration resistance
The term “penetration resistance” used to describe safety shoes will now be replaced by “puncture resistance”. Puncture resistance testing will now be performed according to ISO 22568-3 and ISO 22568-4 instead of EN 12568.
A new symbol for certifying the puncture resistance of safety shoes has also been added:
Symbol Description
phosphorus
for steel base
Pressure of at least 1,100 Newtons
Tested with 4.5mm nails
PL
Suitable for non-metallic soles
There is a pressure of 1,100 Newtons
Tested with 4.5mm nails
postscript
Suitable for non-metallic soles
The average of the four trials shall not be less than 1100 Newtons
Tested with 3.0mm nails
Oil and gasoline resistant
Protection classes S1 to S5 no longer include oil and gasoline resistance. Instead, the special symbol FO will now be used.
Water permeability and water absorption of upper materials
The additional requirement WRU (Waterproof Upper) to describe the waterproofing effect of the upper has been changed to WPA.
Orthopedic safety shoes
New requirements have been defined for adapted (orthopaedic) safety shoes. Orthopedic safety shoes are now divided into three different types.
Type 1: Type 1 Fitting Safety Shoes defines a model of fitted (orthopaedic) insole.
Tests required for Type 1:
protect the toe
Insole (pH, water permeability, water absorption and desorption, abrasion resistance, hexavalent chromium test)
Other tests depend on additional requirements specified (e.g. A, C, E, HI, CI, M)
Type 2: Type 2 is a safety shoe with an adaptable outsole. Shoes can be either Type 1 or Type 2.
Tests required for Type 2:
Separation force between upper and sole
protect the toe
slip resistance
Outsole (tear resistance, abrasion resistance, flexural strength, hydrolysis resistance, interlayer separation force test of multi-layer shoes)
Other tests depend on additional requirements specified (e.g. SR, A, C, E, HI, CI, M, HRO, FO)
Type 3:Type 3 fit shoes are customized safety shoes. They must meet all basic requirements and required additional requirements.
Finally
Safety shoes are an important part of your personal protective equipment. To ensure they always provide the best protection against injury, the shoes should be in good condition. Employers’ Liability Insurance Associations generally recommend replacing safety shoes regularly, especially if they have suffered damage that affects their protective function. However, in some jobs, shoes are subject to severe wear, which means they must be replaced more frequently as needed. Employers cover the cost of new work shoes. You can determine the condition of your safety shoes according to EN ISO 20345 and decide if it’s time to buy a new pair.
