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Footwear Standards

Safety Footwear Standard: EN ISO 20345:2011

 

Class Specification Class Specification
SB Protective toecap S3 Antistatic + Resistance to fuel oil of outsole + Energy Absorption of Seat Region + Water Resistant Upper + Penetration Resistance
S1 Antistatic + Resistance to fuel oil of outsole + Energy Absorption of Seat Region S4 Antistatic + Resistance to fuel oil of outsole + Energy Absorption of Seat Region + Leakproofness
S1P Antistatic + Resistance to fuel oil of outsole + Energy Absorption of Seat Region + Penetration Resistance S5 Antistatic + Resistance to fuel oil of outsole + Energy Absorption of Seat Region + Penetration Resistance + Leakproofness
S2 Antistatic + Resistance to fuel oil of outsole + Energy Absorption of Seat Region + Water Resistant Upper    

Safety Footwear Standard: EN ISO 20345:2022

Class Protective
Toe Cap		 Mandatory
Slip
Resistance		 Closed
Seat Region
(fully enclosed heel)		 A Electrical
Resistance
(Anti-static)		 E Energy
Absorbing
Heel		 Perforation Resistance WPA Water
Penetration
& Absorption		 Cleated
Outsole		 WR Waterproof
Membrane
P Metal
Midsole
4.5mm nail		 PL Non-metal
Midsole
4.5mm nail		 PS Non-metal
Midsole
3.0mm nail
SB ✓ ✓                  
S1 ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓            
S1P ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓          
S1PL ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓   ✓        
S1PS ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓     ✓      
S2 ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓       ✓    
S3 ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓     ✓ ✓  
S3L ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓   ✓   ✓ ✓  
S3S ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓     ✓ ✓ ✓  
S4 ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓            
S5 ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓       ✓  
S5L ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓   ✓     ✓  
S5S ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓     ✓   ✓  
S6 ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓       ✓   ✓
S7 ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓     ✓ ✓ ✓
S7L ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓   ✓   ✓ ✓ ✓
S7S ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓     ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓

Additional Requirements

HI Heat insulation - tested at 150°C for 30 minutes SC Scuff cap abrasion
CI Cold insulation - tested at -20°C for 30 minutes SR Optional slip resistance test, equivalent to the old SRC highest anti-slip rating
M Metatarsal protection HRO Heat-resistant outsole - resistance to 300°C for a maximum of 60 seconds
AN Ankle protection FO Fuel and oil resistant
CR Cut resistance LG Ladder grip - outsole with a transverse profile of at least 1.5mm in the ankle area

 

 

Safety Footwear Glossary

Collar: The top part of the boot’s quarter, often padded for comfort around the ankle.

Counter: A stiff piece of material at the back of the boot, around the heel area, that helps maintain the shape of the boot and provides support to the heel.

Eyelets: Small holes or loops through which the laces are threaded, allowing the boot to be tightened and secured.

Heel: The rear part of the outsole that elevates the back of the foot. It varies in height and shape depending on the boot style.

Insole: The internal part of the boot on which the foot rests, often cushioned for comfort and support.

Laces: The cords or strings used to secure the boot around the foot.

Midsole: The layer between the insole and outsole that provides cushioning, support, and shock absorption. It's often made from foam or a similar material.

Outsole: The bottom part of the boot that makes contact with the ground. It's made from rubber or other durable materials and often has a tread pattern for grip.

Pull Tab: A loop or tab on the back of the boot to help pull it on more easily.

Quarter: The rear and sides of the upper that wrap around the heel. The quarters meet the vamp in the front part of the boot.

Shank: A piece of metal or other rigid material embedded in the boot’s sole to provide support to the arch of the foot.

Toe Box: The front part of the boot that provides space and protection for the toes. It can be reinforced for added protection.

Toe Cap: An additional layer of material on the outside of the toe box, often for decorative purposes or to provide extra protection and durability.

Tongue: A strip of material under the laces, often padded for comfort, that prevents the laces from rubbing against the foot and keeps debris out of the boot.

Upper: The upper part of the boot that covers the foot and is usually made from leather, synthetic materials, or fabric. It includes several components such as the toe box, quarter, vamp, and eyelets.

Vamp: The section of the upper that covers the front part of the foot up to the toe.

Welt: A strip of material that joins the upper to the sole. In some boots, the welt can be a key feature in waterproofing and resoling.

Footwear Sizing

While there may be minor variations in shoe size measurements across different manufacturers and brands, you can typically rely on a shoe size conversion chart to find an approximate match between UK and EU sizes. To simplify the task of converting British to European shoe sizes, and vice versa, we've assembled the following conversion guides.

UK Euro US Men's US Women's
3 35 - 5.5
3½ 36 - 6
4 37 - 6.5
4½ 37.5 - 7
5 38 6 7.5
5½ 39 6.5 8
6 39.5 7 8.5
6½ 40 7.5 9
7 41 8 9.5
7½ 41.5 8.5 10
8 42 9 10.5
8½ 42.5 9.5 11
9 43 10 11.5
9½ 44 10.5 -
10 44.5 11 -
10½ 45 11.5 -
11 46 12 -
11½ 46.5 12.5 -
12 47 13 -
12½ 47.5 13.5 -
13 48 14 -
13½ 49 14.5 -
14 49.5 15 -
14½ 50 15.5 -

 

What Are Safety Toe Caps?

Safety toe caps are reinforced sections at the front of work boots or shoes, designed to protect the toes from impact and compression injuries. They are essential in environments where there's a risk of heavy objects falling or rolling onto the feet.

Types of Safety Toe Caps

Steel Toe Caps

Composite Toe Caps

Aluminium Toe Caps




  • Material: Made from steel.

  • Advantages:

    • High strength and durability.

    • Cost-effective.

    • Slimmer profile due to material strength.

  • Considerations:

    • Heavier than alternatives.

    • Conducts heat and cold, which may be uncomfortable in extreme temperatures.

    • Triggers metal detectors.

  • Material: Made from non-metal materials like fibreglass, carbon fibre, or Kevlar.

  • Advantages:

    • Lighter than steel, reducing fatigue.

    • Non-conductive to heat and electricity.

    • Does not trigger metal detectors.

  • Considerations:

    • Generally bulkier due to thicker material needed for equivalent protection.

  • Material: Made from aluminium alloys.

  • Advantages:

    • Lighter than steel but offers similar protection.

    • Does not conduct heat as much as steel.

  • Considerations:

    • Still metallic, so it can trigger metal detectors.

 

Choosing the Right Toe Cap for Your Work Environment

Selecting the appropriate toe cap depends on your specific work conditions:

 

  • Electrical Work: Composite toe caps are non-conductive, making them safer around electrical hazards.

  • Airports & Security Areas: Composite toe caps won't trigger metal detectors, facilitating smoother security checks.

  • Cold Environments: Composite toe caps provide better insulation against cold temperatures.

  • Hot Environments: Aluminium toe caps are lighter and conduct less heat than steel, offering comfort in warmer conditions.

 

General Footwear Care and Maintenance Tips

  • Regular Inspection: Check for signs of wear, cracks, or damage.

  • Cleaning: Follow manufacturer guidelines to clean and maintain the footwear.

  • Storage: Store in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight.

  • Replacement: Replace footwear if the toe cap is compromised or after significant impact.

 

Conclusion

Choosing the right safety toe cap is crucial for workplace safety and comfort. Consider the specific hazards of your work environment, comfort preferences, and any additional requirements like metal detection when selecting safety footwear. Always ensure that your footwear complies with the relevant safety standards to provide adequate protection.