If the shoe fits, (maybe don’t) wear it

veiligheidsschoen

You have carried out your risk assessment, and it shows that your employees need to wear safety footwear. You browse around, compare price and quality, and just like that: problem solved!

Thirty years ago, this was indeed how things were done. But times have changed, and both materials and technologies have improved significantly. Employees’ expectations have also evolved over the years. So, how do you choose the right safety shoe today?

Table of contents

What does the law say?

  • The Codex on Well-being at Work clearly states that safety footwear is mandatory whenever there is a risk of foot injuries. Employers are required to provide, maintain, and replace this footwear free of charge, while employees are
  • The European standard EN ISO 20345:2022 specifies the minimum requirements that safety footwear must meet.
  • EN ISO 20347 is intended for professions where protection, comfort, and functionality are required, but where there is no risk of heavy impact from falling objects.

What does your risk assessment (RA) say?

The risk assessment you have carried out identifies the following points:

Risk identification

  • Risk of impact (falling/heavy objects).
  • Risk of puncture (nails, sharp objects on the ground).
  • Risk of slipping, tripping, falling (slippery floors, oil, water).
  • Exposure to liquids, chemicals, oils/greases.
  • Risk of electricity or static discharge.
  • Working in cold, heat, or humid conditions.
  • Job-specific risks (healthcare, hospitality, construction, agriculture, etc.).

Required protection type

For safety footwear (EN ISO 20345:2022), a clear distinction has been made since 2022 between different types of penetration resistance, designated as P, PL, and PS. These classifications indicate the level of protection a shoe provides against sharp objects:

  • P (Perforatiebescherming):

The standard metal penetration-resistant midsole provides protection against sharp objects with a diameter of at least 4.5 mm.

  • PL (Perforation Large):

This non-metallic penetration-resistant midsole provides protection against sharp objects with a diameter of at least 4.5 mm.

  • PS (Perforation Small):

This non-metallic penetration-resistant midsole provides protection against smaller sharp objects with a diameter of at least 3 mm.

In addition, new protection classes (S6 and S7) have been introduced. These types of safety footwear are specifically designed for working environments where prolonged exposure to water is a factor. The footwear provides waterproof protection for at least 80 minutes and is intended for demanding working conditions, such as construction sites or outdoor work in wet environments.

Improved slip-resistance requirements

Another important aspect of the new standard is the enhancement of slip-resistance requirements. All footwear that complies with the EN ISO 20345:2022 standard must be equipped with a slip-resistant sole. Grip performance is tested on ceramic flooring covered with a cleaning solution. For environments requiring additional traction, footwear marked with the SR (Slip Resistance) designation is available. These shoes provide enhanced grip on surfaces contaminated with oil or grease and are specifically intended for workplaces where slipping presents a significant risk.

  • Occupational footwear (EN ISO 20347)
  • Possible extra features like:

Slip resistance (SRC), water resistance (WRU), penetration resistance (P), heat resistance (HRO), cold insulation (CI), etc.

  • Low-cut or high-cut safety shoes

Usage conditions

  • For which tasks/zones are the shoes mandatory?
  • Should they be worn continuously or only for specific activities?

As you can see, with all these variables, finding the right safety shoe has become much more of a challenge.

Consultation and wearing comfort

The selection of safety footwear is not something you should do on your own.

  • Involve the Health & Safety Committee or prevention advisor in the choice.
  • Pay attention to comfort and fit → poor comfort increases the risk that employees will not wear them consistently.
  • What does the shoe look like? Your employees also appreciate wearing footwear that looks good.
  • What is the weight of the shoe? The heavier the shoe, the more quickly the wearer is likely to become fatigued.

What can Prevom do for you?

As prevention specialists, we know better than anyone how to arrive at the right choice of safety footwear. We have many years of experience supporting companies of all sizes, from small businesses to large multinational organisations.

Our team consists of experts with an in-depth knowledge of the EN ISO 20345:2022 standard. We understand that every company is unique, which is why we provide tailored solutions that align with your specific needs.

Feel free to contact with us.

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