What are safety shoes? These are specially designed shoes that protect your feet from external hazards in the workplace. They are an essential part of your Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). The most important feature is the protective toe cap, which shields your toes from injuries caused by heavy falling objects or crushing. Whether you work in construction, logistics, or healthcare: good safety shoes are the foundation for a safe and healthy workday.
What exactly are safety shoes?
To understand what good safety shoes are, we need to look at their function. At their core, they are shoes that meet specific European safety requirements of EN ISO 20345. They protect the wearer against, among other things:
- Impact: Thanks to the safety toe cap.
- Perforation: Protection against sharp objects that can penetrate through the sole.
- Slipping: Through soles with specific anti-slip patterns and materials.
- Static electricity: Antistatic properties to prevent shocks (Important to prevent static shocks from causing damage to work, tools, or personnel).
Not every safety shoe offers the same protection; the various classes offer different protections.
When do you need safety shoes?
You need safety shoes as soon as there are risks present in the workplace that cannot be eliminated in any other way. In sectors such as construction, industry, transport, and agriculture, wearing them is almost always mandatory.
The basis for this lies in the Risk Inventory and Evaluation (RI&E) of the company. This identifies which hazards exist and what type of foot protection is appropriate. According to the Arboportaal, the employer is responsible for providing the correct PPE, while the employee is obligated to use it correctly.
What requirements apply to safety shoes?
The most important standard for safety footwear is EN ISO 20345. This standard sets strict requirements for the construction of the shoe. The most well-known requirement is the safety toe cap, which must be able to withstand an impact of at least 200 Joules. In addition, a shoe must meet basic characteristics such as tear resistance of the upper material and a minimum thickness of the outsole.
Within this standard, the S3 safety shoe classification is often used, which, in addition to the toe cap, also requires an impenetrable midsole and water-repellent properties. More details about this can be found on our page about work shoe standards and technologies.
What types of safety shoes are there?
There are different classes, tailored to the work environment. For both men's safety shoes and women's safety shoes, we distinguish between:
- SB: The most basic safety shoes, these only offer a protective toe cap with sometimes additional requirements.
- SBH: The H stands for hybrid of Safety Basic class, meaning that the work shoes do not meet the requirements for S1 but often have requirements that are extra in a higher class (e.g., water resistance, anti-perforation sole).
- S1 & S1P: For dry conditions. S1P work shoes have an extra anti-perforation sole.
- S2: For damp environments, the upper is splash-proof for up to 60 minutes. Check out our S2 work shoes for the food industry and logistics.
- S3: The most common standard for construction; a combination of S2 with an anti-perforation sole. Choose robust S3 work shoes or sturdy S3 work boots.
- S4 & S5: Fully waterproof boots made of rubber or plastic (e.g., PVC/PU).
- S6 & S7: The latest standards. Where S2/S3 are only splash-proof, S7 work shoes and S7 work boots are immersion-proof waterproof (WR) for 60 to 80 minutes. For wet conditions without sole protection, choose S6 work boots.
What is the difference between safety shoes and work shoes?
Colloquially, these terms are often used interchangeably, but technically there is a difference. For example, in English, "Work Shoes" is never used, only "Safety Shoes." Real S3 safety shoes always have a protective toe cap. In addition, there are occupational shoes (standardized as O1, O2, O6, or OB). These are unprotected shoes or Occupational Shoes that do not offer a protective toe cap and often no anti-perforation sole. These are used in sectors where there is no risk of falling objects, such as in healthcare, security, and the military, where a steel toe cap may not be allowed, but other protection is necessary.
Which safety shoes do you need?
To determine what are the best safety shoes for your situation, you need to consider your daily tasks. Do you often work on your knees? Then choose a model with an overcap. Do you walk a lot on hard floors? Then a lightweight sneaker-model with extra cushioning is recommended.
At Unishore Workwear, you will find a wide range of top brands. Whether you are looking for the highest protection or maximum flexibility; we are your total supplier. Thanks to our fast delivery, you never have to wait long for your new pair. Still unsure? Our experts are happy to help you find the perfect match for your feet and workplace.
