In the workplace, safety boots are a crucial piece of equipment for protecting workers' feet. The ISO 20345 standard formulated by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) provides unified guidelines for the production and certification of safety shoes, ensuring that the risk of injury can be effectively avoided during work.
The definition of safety boots
Safety boots refer to shoes with toe protection at the front, designed to withstand up to 200 joules of impact or compression force. The toe protection material can be made of steel, composite materials or aluminium, ensuring reliable protection in the event of a heavy object falling.
Toe protection: A 200 joule protection is equivalent to the impact force of a 20-kilogram object falling from a height of 1.8 meters.
Upper protection: The upper part of the shoe is usually made of cowhide, providing protection against wear and scratches, and to some extent, water resistance. High-quality leather is not only thick and durable but also has good breathability.
Shoe sole structure
The sole design of safety boots is of great significance. It is usually of a dual-density structure, with the outsole being wear-resistant and suitable for contact with rough surfaces, while the midsole provides comfortable cushioning.
Material: The sole material can be polyurethane (PU), thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), or rubber.
PU and TPU: The heat resistance range is between 90 and 110 degrees Celsius, and they are anti-static.
Rubber: The heat resistance can reach up to 300 degrees Celsius, and for some designs, it can even reach 500 degrees Celsius, and they are non-conductive.
Chemical and anti-slip properties: The PU sole is resistant to oil, gasoline and diesel, while the rubber sole can withstand acid and alkali chemicals. The sole must have anti-slip properties, which are verified through various anti-slip tests (such as SRA, SRB, SRC).
Manufacturing process
The manufacturing process of safety boots is unique. Through direct injection technology, liquid polyurethane is injected between the upper and the sole of the shoes, ensuring a firm bond and enhancing the durability and flexibility of the shoes.
Additional protection
Arch protection: In some working environments, additional protection is required, such as preventing the foot arch from being injured by heavy objects or preventing sharp objects from piercing the sole of the shoe. In such cases, shoes with metal guards or puncture-resistant materials (such as Kevlar) can be chosen.
Professional shoes: If only wear resistance and chemical protection are needed without toe protection, professional shoes can be selected, marked as ISO 20347.
Comfortability
To enhance comfort during long working hours, safety boots are usually equipped with inner pads or foot beds, which can be removed, cleaned and replaced. They are typically made of gel foam or memory foam.
The ISO 20345 standard sets strict production and certification requirements for safety boots, ensuring adequate protection and comfort in various working environments. Understanding these standards and features will help in choosing the most suitable safety boots and ensuring workplace safety.
