Safety shoes standards and precautions

In high-risk workplaces, your safety shoes are more than just PPE—they’re your first line of defense. But with varying global safety shoes standards and hidden hazards, how do you ensure your footwear truly meets the mark? Arm yourself with knowledge that could mean the difference between a close call and a catastrophic injury.

1.European standard EN344:1997 《Special safety, protective and work shoes》

 This European standard is developed by the CEN/TC61 “Foot and leg protective equipment” technical committee, whose secretariat is served by BSI.

This standard stipulates the structure and performance indicators of safety protective shoes such as the style design, entire shoe, upper, lining, tongue, insole, and outsole. The test methods for each item specified in the standard are similar to other similar standards, and the method principles are generally applicable to most safety protective shoes. The main indicators are:

（1）Impact resistance of Baotou

Use a steel impact hammer with a specified weight to carry out an impact test. When the Baotou is impacted, the gap height under the Baotou should be less than the specified value, and there should not be any penetrating cracks in the Baotou in the direction of the test axis. It is worth noting that national safety shoes standards have different regulations on the weight, specifications, impact height of impact hammers and the structure of the testing machine, which should be distinguished during actual testing.

（2）Puncture resistance

The testing machine is equipped with a pressure plate, and the pressure plate is equipped with a test nail. The test nail is a head with a truncated tip. The hardness of the nail head should be greater than 60HRC. Place the shoe sole sample on the chassis of the testing machine in such a position that the test nail can pierce through the outsole. The test nail pierces the sole at a speed of 10mm/min±3mm/min until penetration is achieved, and the maximum required force is recorded. force. Select 4 points on each sole for testing (at least 1 point is at the heel). The distance between each point is not less than 30mm, and the distance from the edge of the insole is greater than 10mm. There is a bottom with anti-slip blocks, which should be pierced between the blocks. Two of the four points should be tested within a distance of 10-15mm from the edge line where the bottom corrugation is located. If humidity will affect the results, the soles should be immersed in deionized water at 20℃±2℃ for 16±1h before testing.

（3）Electrical properties of conductive shoes and anti-static shoes

After the shoe sample is conditioned in a dry and wet atmosphere, clean steel balls are filled into the shoe and placed on the metal probe device. Use the specified resistance testing instrument to measure the first two probes and the third probe. resistance between. Under normal circumstances, conductive shoes require resistance not greater than 100K ohms; anti-static shoes require resistance between 100K ohms and 100M ohms.

（4）Thermal insulation performance

Use the finished shoe as the sample, install the thermocouple at the center of the insole connection area, and fill the steel ball into the shoe. Adjust the temperature of the sand bath to 150°C ± 5°C. Place the shoe sample on it so that the sand contacts the outer sole of the shoe. Use a temperature testing device connected to a thermocouple to measure the temperature of the inner sole and the corresponding time. , giving the temperature increase curve. Calculate the temperature increase 30 minutes after the specimen is placed on the sand bath. Generally, insulated shoes require that the temperature increase on the inner sole surface is less than 22°C.

（5）Energy absorption performance of the heel part

The testing instrument has a maximum compressive load of 6000N and is equipped with a device for recording load/deformation characteristics. Place the heeled shoe sample on a steel plate and place the test punch inside the center of the heel part against the insole. Apply load at a speed of 10mm/min ±3mm/min. Plot the load/compression curve and calculate the absorbed energy E expressed in joules.

（6）Requirements for anti-slip outsole

This standard stipulates testing the anti-slip coefficient of shoe soles, but also stipulates the design and specifications of the anti-slip blocks, such as the thickness of the sole, the height of the anti-slip blocks, and the distance from the edge of the sole.

Provide stability: The primary goal of non-slip soles is to provide stability, ensuring workers are less likely to slip when walking on slippery or unstable surfaces. This is essential to avoid falls, slips and the accidental injuries they can cause.

Provide Firmness: In addition to stability, non-slip soles should also provide sufficient firmness to ensure that workers can maintain good posture and balance while working. Sturdy soles can help workers better control their steps and reduce the possibility of accidents.

Anti-slip properties: Non-slip soles should have good anti-slip properties and provide good grip on slippery or greasy surfaces. This is usually achieved by using special materials or texture designs, such as rubber materials and deep concave and convex textures.

Wear resistance: Since workers need to walk and exercise frequently at work, anti-slip soles should have excellent wear resistance to ensure that the soles still have good anti-slip effect and lifespan after long-term use.

Comply with standards: The anti-slip soles of safety shoes should comply with the standard requirements of relevant countries or regions, such as ISO standards. These safety shoes standards ensure the quality, performance and reliability of soles to keep workers safe.

2.Standard: EN345-1 American ANSI-Z41 China An1

Function: anti-smash, anti-puncture, anti-static, anti-splash, anti-slip, oil-resistant, acid and alkali resistance, high temperature resistance, wear-resistant cushioning, sweat-absorbent and deodorant

Upper: imported smooth cowhide, comfortable, breathable, waterproof and wear-resistant

Inside: Gray Stella + breathable cloth + absorbent cotton, disinfection and antibacterial, water-absorbent and sweat-absorbent

Insole: Foamed PU, anti-static, good rebound, compression resistance, breathable and powerful deodorizing function

Sole: Two-color dual-density PU/TPU integrated injection molding, non-slip and waterproof outsole can cushion pressure, be comfortable, non-slip, and super wear-resistant

Steel head: European (CE) Chinese An1 standard, can withstand 200 joules impact force (23KG*900mm>15mm) or withstand 15KN static pressure

3.Canadian work safety shoe standards

 This safety shoes standard is based on the Canadian Standards Association (CSA) standards Z195-02: “Protective Footwear” and Z195.1-02: “Guidelines for the Selection, Care and Use of Protective Footwear”.

Precautions for use

• Insulated labor protection shoes should be correctly selected according to the voltage of the workplace. Low-voltage insulated shoes are prohibited from being used as safety auxiliary tools on high-voltage electrical equipment. High-voltage insulated shoes (boots) can be used as auxiliary safety tools on high-voltage and low-voltage electrical equipment. However, whether you are wearing low-voltage or high-voltage insulating shoes (boots), you are not allowed to touch electrical equipment directly with your hands.
• Cloth-covered insulated shoes can only be used in dry environments to avoid moisture on the cloth surface.

• Insulating shoes (boots) must not be damaged when used.
• When wearing insulating boots, the trouser legs should be inserted into the boots. When wearing insulated shoes, the trouser legs should not be as long as the height of the outer edge of the sole, let alone the ground. Keep the fabric upper dry.
• Rubber soles that are not resistant to acid and alkali oils must not come into contact with acid and alkali oils and should be protected from being stabbed by sharp objects. Low-voltage insulating shoes cannot be used as insulating shoes if the sole pattern is polished and the inner color is exposed.
• When purchasing insulated shoes (boots), you should check whether there are permanent signs of insulation on the shoes, such as red lightning symbols, the number of withstand voltages on the soles, etc.; whether there is a certificate of conformity, a safety appraisal certificate, and a production license inside the shoes. Number etc.

Safety shoe usage specifications and maintenance methods

Selection and maintenance of protective shoes The selection of protective shoes should be based on the nature and degree of hazards in the working environment. Protective shoes should have product certificates and product instructions. Before use, read the instruction manual according to the conditions of use, and use it correctly. Special protective shoes should be inspected and kept clean after use, and stored in a pollution-free and dry place.

• Oil-proof shoes are used in places where there is oil on the ground or oil splashing.
• Waterproof shoes are used in workplaces where water accumulates or splashes on the ground.
• Cold-proof shoes are used to protect the feet of workers working in low temperatures to avoid frostbite.
• Anti-puncture shoes are used to protect the soles of the feet and prevent them from being punctured by various sharp and hard objects.
• Anti-slip shoes use rubber tendon soles with excellent anti-slip properties.

• The main function of anti-smash shoes is to prevent feet from being hurt by falling objects. The front toe cap of the shoe is lined with a metal material with good impact resistance, high strength and light weight. Its strength and impact resistance must be tested and can only be used if it meets the prescribed standards. Pay attention to choosing safety shoes of different strengths according to the severity of the work. Anti-static is mainly used in aviation and aerospace hazardous chemicals industries to avoid flammable and explosive accidents caused by static electricity.
• Insulated shoes can be worn as auxiliary safety equipment and labor protection equipment when working on AC 50HZ, 1000V and below or DC 1500V and below power equipment.
• The main function of steel-making shoes is to prevent burning and puncture cuts. They should be able to withstand a certain static pressure and temperature, and be non-flammable. This type of shoes is suitable for smelting, furnace front, cast iron, etc.
• In addition to the above, there are also some special shoe covers used, such as canvas, asbestos, aluminum film shoe covers, etc.

Precautions for the use and maintenance of safety shoes

Correct use and maintenance methods can ensure that safety shoes perform as effectively as they should and maintain the health of the user’s feet. Therefore, more attention should be paid to the following matters:

1. Do not modify the structure of safety shoes without authorization.

2. Wearing safety shoes of the appropriate size will help maintain the health of the wearer’s feet and the durability of the shoes.

3. Pay attention to personal hygiene. Users should keep feet and shoes clean and dry.

4. Clean safety shoes regularly, but solvents should not be used as cleaning agents. In addition, the soles of shoes must be cleaned frequently to avoid accumulation of dirt, because the conductivity or anti-static performance of the soles will be affected by the amount of dirt adhering to them and the bending condition.

5. Store safety shoes in a cool, dry and well-ventilated place.

The rules for “personal protective equipment”:

• Should not be used as a substitute for engineering or administrative control methods to deal with hazards.
• The personal protective equipment used must comply with standard design and be suitable for work needs.

• In addition to appropriate selection, correct use and maintenance are equally important to the performance of functions.

The Government Labor Department is drafting regulations on “personal protective clothing” under the Occupational Safety and Health Ordinance, which will strengthen the requirements for the use of personal protective equipment.

The selection and use of safety shoes

When purchasing safety shoes, you can follow the following 5 points:

(1) In addition to selecting the appropriate type according to the working conditions, protective footwear should also fit the foot and make people feel comfortable when wearing it. This is very important. It is important to carefully select the appropriate shoe size.

(2) Protective shoes must have an anti-slip design, which not only protects people’s feet from injury, but also prevents accidents caused by operators slipping.

(3) Various protective shoes with different performances must meet the technical indicators of their respective protective properties, such as toes not being smashed, soles not being stabbed, insulation and conductivity, etc. But safety shoes are not a panacea.

(4) Careful inspection or testing is required before using protective shoes. In electrical and acid-alkali operations, damaged and cracked protective shoes are dangerous.

(5) Protective shoes should be properly kept after use. Rubber shoes should be rinsed with water or disinfectant and dried after use to extend their service life.