How to choose a safety shoe that is right for the job we do?

Work shoes, i.e. all safety footwear, fall into the category of personal protective equipment (PPE) and must meet the requirements of the European Directive EEC 89/686 in order to obtain the CE marking.

On the basis of the EN ISO 20345:2011 standard, safety footwear is marked with an S (Safety) and is defined as "footwear with characteristics designed to protect the wearer from injuries that may result from accidents in the work sector for which the footwear have been designed, fitted with toe caps designed to provide impact protection when tested at an energy level of 200J"

To choose a safety shoe based on one's job, the first thing to do is to identify the suitable category.

The categories are identified on the basis of the following parameters:

• Resistance to oils and hydrocarbons (code FO);
• Energy absorption in the heel area (E);
• Presence of antistatic sole (A);
• Presence of anti-perforation sole (P);
• Dynamic Waterproofness (WRU);
• Slip resistance (SR).

The categories of safety shoes, therefore, are:

SB: basic shoe with toe cap to protect against impacts of at least 200 J and minimum protection characteristics.

200 JOULES RESISTANCE TOE CAP ✅

RESISTANCE TO OILS AND HYDROCARBONS ✅

ENERGY ABSORPTION IN THE HEEL AREA ✅

ANTISTATIC ❌

ANTIPERFORATION ❌

DYNAMIC WATERPROOFING OF THE UPPER ❌

SLIP RESISTANCE ✅

S1: An S1 shoe is a shoe which, in addition to a toe cap for toe protection against impacts of at least 200J, is equipped with an antistatic sole with energy absorption in the heel area.

The S1P version, on the other hand, also has an anti-puncture plate.

This type of shoe is indicated for those who do not run particular risks for the sole of the foot such as warehouse workers, hotel operators or food industry operators.

S1

200 JOULES RESISTANCE TOE CAP ✅

RESISTANCE TO OILS AND HYDROCARBONS ✅

ENERGY ABSORPTION IN THE HEEL AREA ✅

ANTISTATIC ✅

ANTIPERFORATION ❌

DYNAMIC WATERPROOFING OF THE UPPER ❌

SLIP RESISTANCE ✅

S1P

200 JOULES RESISTANCE TOE CAP ✅

RESISTANCE TO OILS AND HYDROCARBONS ✅

ENERGY ABSORPTION IN THE HEEL AREA ✅

ANTISTATIC ✅

ANTI-PERFORATION ✅

DYNAMIC WATERPROOFING OF THE UPPER ❌

SLIP RESISTANCE ✅

S2: the S2 safety shoe is a safety shoe which, in addition to the characteristics of the S1, also has an upper in leather or in any case materials suitable for resisting water for 60 minutes, without it penetrating inside.

200 JOULES RESISTANCE TOE CAP ✅

RESISTANCE TO OILS AND HYDROCARBONS ✅

ENERGY ABSORPTION IN THE HEEL AREA ✅

ANTISTATIC ✅

ANTIPERFORATION ❌

DYNAMIC WATERPROOFING OF THE UPPER ✅

SLIP RESISTANCE ✅

S3: the S3 safety shoe has all the characteristics of the S1 and S2 but in addition it has the anti-puncture midsole. This foil can be steel or non-metallic, i.e. fabric and Kevlar.

200 JOULES RESISTANCE TOE CAP ✅

RESISTANCE TO OILS AND HYDROCARBONS ✅

ENERGY ABSORPTION IN THE HEEL AREA ✅

ANTISTATIC ✅

ANTI-PERFORATION ✅

DYNAMIC WATERPROOFING OF THE UPPER ✅

SLIP RESISTANCE ✅

S4 and S5: S4 and S5 categories are 100% waterproof for unlimited immersion time.

The S5 also features the anti-puncture foil.

200 JOULES RESISTANCE TOE CAP ✅

RESISTANCE TO OILS AND HYDROCARBONS ✅

ENERGY ABSORPTION IN THE HEEL AREA ✅

ANTISTATIC ✅

ANTI-PERFORATION ✅

DYNAMIC WATERPROOFING OF THE UPPER ?% ✅

SLIP RESISTANCE ✅

Another characteristic to take into consideration is the slip resistance SR which can be:

SRA: indicates the slip resistance with ceramic floor with water and detergent;

SRB: indicates the slip resistance with steel and glycerin floor;

SRC: Indicates the slip resistance in both of the above situations.

If you need more information or want advice on how to choose the right work shoe for you, write to us in the chat, we will reply as soon as possible.