Classes of footwear protection

Full review of ISO 20345

Before getting acquainted with various types of safety footwear, it is important to understand the standards regulating the classification of occupational footwear.

Before getting familiar with different types of safety footwear, it is important to understand the standards that regulate the classification of occupational footwear. EN ISO 20344 defines general requirements and test methods for safety footwear, which is then classified according to EN ISO 20345, EN ISO 20346, and EN ISO 20347 standards.

Footwear compliant with EN ISO 20345 standard is marked with the letter "S" (Safety).

Safety footwear marked with "S" (Safety) complies with the EN ISO 20345 standard. It provides protective features, including toe protection with caps that are tested for impact resistance of 200J and compression resistance of 15kN. The requirements for safety footwear are specified in the PN-EN ISO 20345 and PN-EN ISO 20345:2012 standards.

Depending on the basic requirements, footwear can be divided into different levels: SB, S1, S2, S3, S4, S5. Additional optional features are marked with specific abbreviations, which will be explained below.

Shoes compliant with EN ISO 20346 standard are marked with the letter "P" (Protective).

Protective footwear marked with the letter "P" complies with the EN ISO 20346 standard and provides protective properties, including protection of the toes with toecaps tested to withstand impact energy of 100J and compression force of 10KN. The requirements for protective footwear are specified in the PN-EN ISO 20346 standard and PN-EN ISO 20346:2014-08.

Footwear compliant with the EN ISO 20347 standard is marked with the letter "O" (Occupational).

Occupational footwear marked with "O" (Occupational) complies with the requirements of EN ISO 20347 standard. It has protective features designed to protect against injuries that may occur in the event of an accident in the workplace. They are intended for daily use where toe protection with toecaps is not required. The requirements for occupational footwear are defined by the PN-EN ISO 20347 and PN-EN ISO 20347:2012 standards.

Types of footwear defined within the scope of EN ISO 20347 are:

OB - basic properties, energy absorption in the heel area
O1 - basic properties and covered heel, resistance to hydrocarbons and diesel, anti-static properties of the sole, as well as energy absorption in the heel area,
O1P - like O1 and resistance of the sole to puncture (1100N),
O2 - like O1 and water impermeability,
O3 - like O2, as well as resistance of the sole to puncture and additionally sole tread,
O4 - basic properties, as well as anti-static properties and energy absorption in the heel area,
O5 - like O4, as well as resistance of the sole to puncture, sole tread.

CLASS

Safety footwear
EN 345/EN ISO 20345

Professional footwear
EN 347/EN ISO 20347

I, II

I

II

I, II

I

II

CATEGORY

SYMBOL

PROTECTIVE PROPERTIES

SB

S1

S2

S3

S4

S5

OB

O1

O2

O3

O4

O5

SB

Safety footwear, basic requirements (toe protection)

x

OB

Safety footwear, basic requirements (without toe protection)

x

A

Antistatic properties

x

o

x

E

Energy absorption in the heel area

x

o

x

WRU

Waterproof upper material

x

P

Puncture resistance

x

o

x

Sole tread

x

C

Electrically conductive footwear

o

I

Electrically insulated footwear

o

WR

Water penetration and absorption resistance

o

M

Metatarsal protection

CI

Cold insulation

o

HI

Heat insulation

o

HRO

Sole heat resistance to contact with hot surfaces

AN

Ankle protection

o

CR

Cut protection

ORO

Oil resistance of the sole, included in SB (EN 345/EN 347)

x

FO

(EN 345/EN 347)

x

SRA

Slip resistance on ceramic surface covered with sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) solution

#

SRB

Slip resistance on steel surface covered with glycerol

#

SRC

Slip resistance on the above-mentioned surfaces (SRA+SRB)

#

x = mandatory requirements,
o = should go beyond the basic requirements and meet one of these requirements,
# = footwear must meet at least one of these requirements,