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Equip your staff with reliable foot protection using our wide selection of safety shoes for men and women. Our safety footwear range offers various styles and safety ratings, ensuring superior protection against slips, cuts, and impact hazards to keep your team safe.

At Cromwell, we've curated an extensive collection of safety shoes from leading brands like Cofra®, V12 Footwear®, and Ejendals® and our own Halo safety range with metatarsal protection. Whatever style and protection you want, we're sure to have it in your size and budget. For more insights and guidance on safety footwear, visit our comprehensive guide.

What are safety shoes?

Safety shoes provide comprehensive foot protection with safety toecaps and mid-sole protection, offering a comfortable and ergonomic alternative to safety boots, particularly for those who find boots uncomfortable or trainers too casual.
Much like safety boots, safety shoes are a type of protective footwear designed to safeguard the feet in various working environments. They typically feature reinforced toes to protect against heavy objects, slip-resistant soles for better traction, and may also have additional features such as water resistance, electrical hazard protection, and puncture-resistant materials.

These shoes are classified according to standards set by the British Standards Institution (BSI), namely the EN ISO 20345 standard, which specifies minimum safety requirements.

There are currently two iterations of the EN ISO 20345 standard applicable to safety boots - and safety footwear in its entirety - on the market; EN ISO 20345:2011 and EN ISO 20345:2022. More information around the differences in these standards can be found further down this page.

Why safety shoes?

Safety shoes are designed to meet safety regulations and provide optimal protection without compromising on style. Modern designs, such as those by Uvex®, offer excellent protection while complementing professional attire. Like all types of safety footwear, safety shoes should primarily be worn as protection against hazards; safety shoes protect against heavy objects, falling tools, and other workplace hazards that could cause injuries.

As well as this, many safety shoes feature slip-resistant soles, reducing the risk of slips and falls, which are common workplace accidents, they may offer comfort and support, providing support for long hours of standing or walking, which can help prevent fatigue and injury.

And of course, safety shoes are worn to ensure compliance with relevant UK safety regulations. As per the Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations 1992, employers must protect workers from health and safety risks. This means they must provide PPE free of charge if a risk assessment shows it is needed. This also includes making sure that the PPE is properly assessed before use to make sure it is fit for purpose, that it is maintained and stored properly, that employers are provided with instructions on how to use it safely and that any PPE provided by employers is used correctly by workers.

Employers must ensure workers have sufficient information, instruction and training on PPE use, which includes safety footwear provided.

Applications of safety shoes

In workplaces where risks are identified, safety footwear is essential for compliance with safety regulations. Safety Shoes protect against potential falling and crushing hazards, providing peace of mind in hazardous environments.

Types of safety shoes

Safety Shoes are categorised according to safety ratings (S ratings) outlined in EN ISO 20345 standards, with additional slip-resistance ratings (SRA, SRB, SRC) indicating performance on different surfaces.

As well as differing levels of protection offered and additional safety features that safety shoes can offer, there are also multiple different styles of safety shoes. We've outlined the most common below:

• Clogs   -   Typified by an open back and a buckle or strap to secure the foot, clogs are often used in the food or medical industry due to their superior comfort when wearing and high slip-resistance.

• Brogues   -   The traditional shoe, redesigned for safety. These are commonly used where a smarter shoe is required as well as the safety element.

• Oxfords   -   Similar to brogues, Oxfords have less decorative stitching, but still boast a more formal design.

• Loafers   -   Usually slip-on as opposed to lace up, loafers are a slightly more relaxed looking shoe, suited for less formal environments.

• Sandals   -   Like safety clogs, safety sandals usually have an open heel area and a focus on superior slip-resistance.

Considerations when choosing safety shoes

When shopping for safety shoes, it's important to take into account some key considerations, to ensure you find the right product for your needs.

• Standards and Safety Features/Classifications - Your work environment and the hazards that you face each day will determine what level and type of protection you will need from your safety shoes. For example, if you work in a high risk slip area, then a higher level of slip-resistance would be desirable for your safety shoes. By ensuring that you know exactly what risks you face in the workplace will help you to determine what safety features and classifications your safety shoes should have.

As well as this, the EN ISO 20345 standard helps to regulate safety shoes and make sure that all safety shoes placed on the market are subject to the same testing requirements, to ensure safety and consistency when testing.

• Durability and Materials Used - Safety footwear is often subjected to harsh conditions, so durability is paramount. Materials such as leather, synthetic fabrics, and rubber are commonly used due to their robustness. Alternatively, look for sustainable or vegan friendly materials, for a more eco friendly choice. Look for footwear with reinforced toes, typically made from steel or composite materials, which enhance protection without compromising weight.

• Comfort Features - Comfort should never be overlooked. Prolonged wear can lead to discomfort and fatigue, impacting productivity. Key comfort features include cushioned insoles which provide extra support and shock absorption, breathable linings that may also feature moisture-wicking materials to keep feet dry or arch support features which are essential for reducing strain during long hours of standing or walking.

• Size and Fit - Proper sizing is crucial for both safety and comfort. Safety shoes, like all safety footwear, should fit snugly without being too tight. It's advisable to try on shoes with the socks you typically wear at work to ensure the best fit. Remember to consider width fittings or look at a product's mondopoint, as some brands offer options for wider feet. Also consider the gender of the safety shoe, as there's a difference in the shape of men's and women's feet. Be sure to look the size guides of the brand you intend to buy before purchase also, as brands may have inherently thinner or wider fit shoes than others of the same size.

• Style and Appearance - While functionality is key, style shouldn't be neglected. Safety shoes are available in a variety of designs that can suit different workplace environments. Whether you need classic black leather brogues for visiting a warehouse or a lighter, sporty design for working on site, there are options that combine both safety and aesthetics.

• Weight - Safety shoes can be weighty which can impact upon comfort especially whilst wearing for extended periods of time, but an aluminium or composite toecap and midsole will go a long way to reduce this weight factor.

Safety shoes jargon buster

To help you navigate our range of safety shoes a little better, we've put together an explanation of a key safety standard seen widely on technical datasheets.

What do the safety footwear standards EN ISO 20345:2011 and EN ISO 20345:2022 mean?

EN ISO 20345:2011 and EN ISO 20345:2022 are not as complicated as they first appear. They specify the safety requirements for protective footwear, including safety shoes. As well as requiring a 200 joule protective toe cap, as a minimum, all safety footwear on the market must also meet a minimum slip resistance rating.

There are also several other requirements depending on the level of protection offered, including whether the safety footwear product features a fully enclosed heel, electrical resistance, energy absorption under the heel, puncture-resistant features, water penetration and absorption of the upper or fully water-resistant.

Let's break the EN ISO 20345 standards down...

• EN- The currently applicable standard across Europe

• ISO - The International Organisation for Standardisation define international safety standards

• 20345 - The assigned legislation number

• 2011 and 2022 - The year this safety standard was updated.

It's important to note that safety footwear products come with a five year certification as of the date they were tested. As a result of this, both the EN ISO 20345:2011 and EN ISO 20345:2022 are valid, as long as the certification of the safety footwear has not surpassed the five year certification date.

FAQs

Can you be exempt from wearing safety shoes?
No, if safety risks are identified, employers must provide suitable safety shoes, and employees must wear them.

Are safety shoes bad for feet?
When fitted correctly, safety shoes offer protection and support without causing harm. Poorly fitted shoes can cause discomfort, but correctly fitted ones prevent injuries.

Can I wear my safety shoes that are tested to EN ISO 20345:2011 still?
Safety shoes, like all safety footwear, come with a five year certificate marked with the date of purchase. This certificate is valid for five years, meaning that as long as the certification is still in date, safety shoes that meet the older standard EN ISO 20345:2011 can still be worn.

The EN ISO 20345:2022 and EN ISO 20345:2011 will co-exist until 2028, by which point all footwear to the 2011 iteration of the standard have expired certification, meaning the 2022 version of the standard will supersede the 2011 version.

Does my employer have to supply steel toe shoes?
The Health and Safety at Work Act of 1974 clearly states that an employer is responsible for providing a safe environment for their employees. Risk assessments should be carried out, and if there are risks of injury from impact or puncture from sharps, then safety shoes or other forms of safety footwear must be provided.

What does the EN ISO 20345 standard test for?
Within the EN ISO 20345 standard, safety footwear can be tested against numerous hazards, and given what is known as a safety classification dependent on the outcome of each test.

Safety classification range from SB to S5 as per the 2011 iteration of the standard. The 2022 update to the standard introduced new safety classifications, which go up to S7.
All safety classifications include mandatory presence of a protective toecap that protects up to 200J.

As well as this, all safety classifications also require a level of mandatory slip resistance, which can be rated from SRA to SRC as per the 2011 standard.

The 2022 iteration of the EN ISO 20345 standard added a minimum requirement for slip-resistance. If the safety footwear surpasses this basic requirement and is also tested for slip-resistance on a ceramic tile with glycerol, under the updated standard, it is rated as SR. This is a more rigorous level of slip-resistance than the new basic requirement.

What other markings or tests are included in the EN ISO 20345 standard?
Besides the mandatory basic tests and the more robust additional tests as safety footwear moves up in safety classification, there are also optional, additional tests that safety footwear can be tested against.

There are 18 in total, as detailed and outlined below:

• PL   -   Safety footwear marked with PL signifies that the footwear has been tested for perforation resistance in a non-metallic insert, tested with a 4.5 mm test nail. This is a new addition as per the EN ISO 20345:2022 standard.

• PS   -   Similarly to the above, the marking PS refers to perforation resistance except this time with a non-metallic insert, tested with a 3.0 mm test nail. This is also a new marking as per the EN ISO 20345:2022 standard.

• P   -   Part of the EN ISO 20345:2011 standard, P signifies that the safety footwear has been tested for perforation resistance (metal insert).

• C   -   A C marking denotes that the safety footwear has been marked categorised as partly conductive footwear.

• A   -   The letter A denotes that the safety footwear has been marked as anti-static.

• HI   -   Safety footwear with the marking HI means that it has been tested for heat insulation of the sole complex.

• CI   -   Similarly to the above, CI denotes that the safety footwear possesses cold insulation of the sole complex.

• E   -   Refers to energy absorption of the seat region of the safety footwear.

• WR   -   Signifies that the footwear has been tested for water resistance. This is the new marking as per the EN ISO 20345:2022 standard, and means that no water penetration inside the footwear shall be detected for the footwear to achieve this marking.

WR is also used as per the 2011 iteration of the standard, but the 2011 test allows for 3cm cubed of water to penetrate the footwear. This means that the 2022 standard is more strict in defining safety footwear as water resistant.

• WRU   -   Part of the 2011 standard, WRU refers to water resistance of the upper part of the safety footwear only.

• WPA   -   Used to essentially replace the above marking WRU, as per the 2022 standard, footwear marked as WPA denotes that some water penetration and absorption of the footwear can occur.

• M   -   Refers to footwear with metatarsal protection.

• AN   -   Refers to footwear with ankle protection.

• CR   -   States that the footwear has cut resistance of the upper part.

• SC   -   A new optional requirement as per the 2022 standard, SC signifies that there is abrasion resistance of optional overcaps/scuff caps.

• SR   -   As mentioned previously, under the updated EN ISO 20345 standard, SR will be an optional slip-resistance test on top of the new minimum requirement of basic slip-resistance.

• HRO   -   Heat resistance of the outsole.

• FO   -   Fuel resistance and oil resistance.

• LG   -   The safety footwear has outsoles which provide hold on ladders, or 'ladder grip'. This is a new optional test as per the 2022 standard.

For more information on safety boots see our Safety Footwear Guide... https://www.cromwell.co.uk/info/safety-technical-safety-footwear