Knowing The Difference in Work Boot Safety Footwear Standards

European Safety Footwear Standards

S1, S2, S3, S4, and S5 are safety footwear standards defined by the European Committee for Standardization (CEN). These standards indicate different levels of protection provided by safety shoes or boots. At Safety Supplies, we prioritize adherence to these standards, ensuring our safety footwear meets the necessary requirements to keep workers safe in diverse industrial settings. Here's a breakdown of the differences:

1. S1 Safety Footwear:

   • Features: S1 footwear includes basic safety features such as a steel toe cap to protect against impact and compression (up to 200 joules) and a closed heel area. They also have antistatic properties and energy absorption in the heel region.
   • Suitable for: Indoor environments where there is a risk of minor injuries from falling objects and where there are concerns about static electricity buildup.

2. S2 Safety Footwear:

   • Features: S2 footwear includes all the features of S1 footwear, plus additional protection against water penetration and absorption. They are water-resistant but not waterproof and typically have water-resistant uppers.
   • Suitable for: Indoor environments similar to S1, but with the added need for protection against moisture or wet conditions.

3. S3 Safety Footwear:

   • Features: S3 footwear incorporates all the features of S1 and S2 footwear, along with additional features for enhanced protection. In addition to a steel toe cap, antistatic properties, energy absorption, and water resistance, S3 footwear also includes penetration-resistant midsoles (usually made of steel or composite material) to protect against punctures from below.
   • Suitable for: Outdoor environments or indoor environments where there is a risk of stepping on sharp objects or puncture hazards, such as construction sites or warehouses with potential hazards like nails or debris on the ground.

4. S4 Safety Footwear:

   • Features: S4 footwear offers all the properties of S1 footwear, but it's also made entirely of polymer materials. It doesn't have penetration-resistant midsoles.
   • Suitable for: Wet environments where there's no risk of puncture hazards, such as food processing industries or cleanroom environments.

5. S5 Safety Footwear:

   • Features: S5 footwear includes all the features of S4 footwear, with the addition of penetration-resistant midsoles, making them suitable for environments with puncture hazards.
   • Suitable for: Similar environments to S4 footwear but with the added need for protection against punctures.

In summary, S1 to S5 safety footwear standards offer varying levels of protection, from basic protection against impact and compression (S1) to more comprehensive protection against water penetration, punctures, and other hazards (S5). The choice between them depends on the specific risks present in the work environment.