Rules and Regulations of Foot Protection

Foot protection as PPE* is defined in norms EN ISO 20344 – EN ISO 20347. The regulations and procedures governing testing are contained in EN ISO 20344.
Various protection levels are classified in norms EN ISO 20345-20347 as follows:

• EN ISO 20345 “Safety Footwear“ with protective toecaps able to resist a test energy of 200 joules. Designation “S“.
• EN ISO 20346 “Protective Footwear“ with protective toecaps able to resist a test energy of 100 joules. Designation “P“.
• EN ISO 20347 “Occupational Footwear“ without protective toecaps. Designation “O“.

Baak safety shoes comply with the standard EN ISO 20345 and are therefore fitted with protective caps which can withstand a testing energy of 200 joules. They meet all of the basic requirements of the EC Directive on personal protective equipment.

These basic requirements are marked by the letters SB and they include, for example,

• Slip resistance and abrasion resistance of the outsole
• Separation force between the sole and shoe upper
• Tearing force, strength, water vapour permeability, water vapour number, pH of the lining and upper material
• Harmlessness (no AZO dyes) and wear comfort

Additional Requirements may be fulfilled depending on the requirements of the field of application and are then to be designated as follows.

Safety Categories such as S1, S2 or S3 comprise the most common combination of basic requirements and additional requirements