Revised, more stringent, standards for the manufacture of safety footwear came into force in the UK on 30 June last year; EN ISO 20344:2011 and EN ISO 20345:2011 are the latest revisions of the 2007 safety footwear standards. EN ISO 20344:2011 includes revised test methods on anti-puncture midsoles for both steel and composite materials, while EN ISO 20345:2011 specifies that all safety footwear must have toe protection against a 200-Joule impact.
Under the new rules, manufacturers of safety footwear must produce, and have certified, footwear to the new standards if they are to market them. Although the European Commission is allowing non-compliant products already on the market to continue to be sold until the end of 2014, it makes sense to buy footwear that already complies with the latest standards, so giving both the employer and the wearer complete peace of mind.
Penetration
One of the main changes to the legislation is a stricter standard for midsole protection. This has been brought in because the old standards were inadequate and created a risk to wearers – too many penetration injuries were recorded through midsoles that should have provided protection.
Midsoles used to be powder coated (for adhesion) with carbon steel, which was prone to rusting along the flex point in the presence of moisture, turning it to powder. The shoe quickly became inadequate, but the wearer was not aware of this unless an object penetrated the outer sole and the shoe was then taken apart, and so the longevity of the footwear could not be relied on.
Under the revised standards, manufacturers now have to produce this coating with stainless steel, which is the only material that does not rust and will resist ‘ageing’ by acid solution in test conditions.
The test for composite midsoles under the new standard is to use a penetration force of 1100 newtons (N) with a 2mm point. In this test, the midsole must resist the point without any markings – as soon as the smallest point begins to come through, or there is any form of indentation of the material, the test has to stop. Manufacturers are now making the composite material thicker, with an extra weave of fibre, to give a far higher resistance and offer total protection from penetration.
Slip resistance
Slips and trips are the most common hazards in the workplace, responsible for over a third of all major injuries, and costing UK employers over £500m each year. Over 10,000 workers suffered serious injury because of a slip or trip last year, and 95% of major slips result in broken bones.
The test for slip resistance and categorisation of safety footwear as S1 (basic requirements met), S2 (S1 plus water penetration and absorption) or S3 (S2 plus penetration resistance and cleated sole) has also been revised under the new standards.
A product used to be able to be branded S3 (the highest level of safety) without considering its slip resistance, which is marked as code SRA (tested on ceramic surface with dilute soap), SRB (tested on steel with glycerol) or SRC (tested under both conditions). Now, in order for a product to be classified as S3, it must be marked with code SRC, and thus have met the specified requirements and be the pinnacle of safety.
What employers should do
To protect their workforce from the results of using inadequate and potentially unsafe footwear, employers should request that the products they are purchasing have been produced and certified to conform to the new standard.
So does that mean they should throw out all their old safety footwear? Organisations need to make a risk assessment of their requirements and the reasons why safety footwear is used. If, for example, employers have a particular issue of potential penetration through the sole, then they must address the situation and ensure footwear is manufactured to the new standards.
To ensure maximum safety, employers should look for products marked S3 and SRC. Buying the correct footwear with appropriate midsole protection greatly reduces the risk of potential injury from a nail or sharp object when standing or walking, and helps to keep the workplace a safe place for all.
