Standards and classe of safety shoes

Safety footwear must meet basic requirements regulated by certain standards, designed to guarantee worker safety.

European standards and meanings

  • EN ISO 20344:2011 specifies the test methods for footwear designed as PPE.
  • EN ISO 20345:2011 specifies basic and additional (optional) requirements for Safety Footwear for general purpose. Footwear according to this standard is marked «S» (Safety), with toe caps resistant to an impact of 200 Joules.
  • EN ISO 20346:2014 specifies basic and additional (optional) requirements for Protective Footwear. Footwear according to this standard is marked «P» (Protective), with toe caps resistant to an impact of 100 Joules.
  • EN ISO 20347:2012 specifies basic and additional (optional) requirements for occupational footwear that is not exposed to any mechanical risks (impact or compression). Footwear according to this standard is marked «O» (Occupational). It shares quite the same characteristics as the above footwear, although neither toe caps nor penetration-proof insoles are required.

Minimum safety requirements

The basic requirements that occupational footwear must meet are classified as follows:

SB
  • Toe cap resistant to an impact of 200 Joules
  • Outsole slip resistance (SRA and/or SRB)
  • Minimum upper height
  • One additional footwear requirement
S1

Basic requirements plus:

  • Closed seat region
  • Antistatic properties (A)
  • Energy absorption of seat region (E)
S2

Basic requirements plus:

  • Water penetration and water absorption resistant upper (WRU)
S3

S2 requirements plus:

  • Penetration resistance (P)
  • Cleated outsole
S4

SB requirements plus:

  • Antistatic properties (A)
  • Energy absorption of seat region (E)
S5

S4 requirements plus:

  • Penetration resistance (P)
  • Cleated outsole

Beta safety footwear responds to the various requirements of use that vary according to the work sector (plumbing, electrical, mechanical, agricultural, etc). In order to be sure of choosing the right footwear, you can consult the list that brings together the complete range and the requirements of each individual model.