SAFETY FOOTWEAR
Safety and work shoes
Toe safety footwear is used when there is a risk of being crushed or struck by falling objects, such as tools or loads, e.g. when transporting heavy or undersized objects weighing more than 16-20 kg.
Footwear with non-slip soles in case of the risk of slipping and falling over on slippery surfaces.
Footwear with ankle cushions when there is a risk of impact on the legs or ankles, e.g. in iron depots.
Footwear that protects against chemical agents is used when there is a risk of contact with dangerous and aggressive chemicals.
Anti-electrostatic and anti-spark footwear is used where explosive gases, fumes and dust may be present in the air, e.g. in chemical plants, i.e. in explosion hazard zones.
Thermal protection footwear is used in hot or cold working conditions, during winter work or in cold stores. This type of equipment must provide sweat absorption or ventilation of the foot. Cold protection footwear must be of a size that allows the use of thick socks or clothing.
Non-flammable footwear is used in places where there is a risk of heat radiation, sparks, droplets of molten metal, e.g. during welding.
Before purchasing and handing over protective footwear for use at workplaces, the employer should make sure that the footwear meets the following requirements:
- is CE marked
- is appropriate to the existing hazard and does not itself pose a hazard,
- corresponds to the conditions prevailing at a given workplace,
- meets ergonomic requirements and takes into account the employee’s health condition,
- is tailored to the user.
The employer must provide the safety footwear and keep it clean as it remains their property.
The employer is responsible for ensuring that the footwear provided by the employer meets the requirements related to the intended purpose, does not cause inconvenience or discomfort and that it is used by employees during work.
The employer must inform and properly train employees about the potential hazards occurring at their workplace and the dangers that arise if they do not wear the footwear intended for work. The information should also apply to the proper maintenance and cleaning of safety footwear.
Soiled footwear must be cleaned, dried and disinfected immediately after use.
Marking of safety footwear
Each pair of shoes should be marked in a legible and durable way by stamping or embossing the appropriate symbols. Safety footwear should be supplied with an instruction manual in English, containing information on its protective properties, customization, use, maintenance and storage.
Check category: Work shoes
Footwear labelling should include:
- size,
- Trademark,
- manufacturer’s designation,
- date of production – quarter and year,
- the country of the manufacturer,
- the number of the relevant standard (EN 345, EN 346, EN 347),
- marking with the symbol of the appropriate protection category in accordance with the tables below,
- marking with additional symbols depending on the presence of an additional protective property in accordance with the tables below.
Categories of safety footwear according to PN-EN ISO 20345
| Category | Tray 200 J | Resistance to Puncture | Built-up Heel | Resistance to oils, gasoline and other dissolves. organic | Energy absorption in the heel part | Permeability and water absorption | Water tightness |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PB | X | X | X | X | X | X | |
| P1 | X | ||||||
| P2 | X | X | X | X | X | ||
| P3 | X | X | X | X | X | X | X |
| P4 | X | X | X | X | X | X | X |
| P5 | X | X | X | X | X | X | X |
We recommend: Optimo ESD
Symbols to indicate additional properties of footwear:
P – Puncture resistance
A – Anti-static footwear
C – Electrically conductive footwear
I – Electrical insulating footwear
HI – Heat insulation of the bottom
CI – Cold insulation of the bottom
E – Energy-absorbing footwear in the heel area
WR – Water Resistance
WRU – Water Permeability and Water Absorption
HRO – Resistance of the bottoms to contact with hot ground
CR – Cut Resistance
M – Metatarsal protection
AN – Ankle Protection
FO – Diesel Resistance of Soles
SRA – Slip resistance on ceramic substrate coated with sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) solution
SRB – Slip resistance on glycerol-coated steel substrate
SRC – Slip resistance on both of the above substrates