EN ISO 20345 (formally EN345) is a series of testing procedures which determine the features awarded to styles of safety footwear designed by the manufacturers. It provides a key classification to each style of safety footwear in addition to properties highlighting any special features the footwear may have.
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Attribute
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Definition
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Toe Protection
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Offers a protective reinforcement in the toe which protects the foot from falling objects or compression. Usually constructed from steel or composite materials.
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Midsole Protection
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Midsole protection will guard against nails and other objects that put the wearer at risk of sole penetration. Midsoles are also constructed from steel or composite materials.
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Heat Resistance
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Safety footwear with a heat resistant sole will protect the wearer up to a minimum of 150° C. 'HRO' represents resistance to hot contact up to 300°. 'HI' represents an insulation against heat.
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Water Resistance
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Water resistant fabrics have a hydrostatic head rating of less than 1000mm, but will stand up to most casual contacts of water. 'WRU' represents water penetration and absorption resistance. 'CI' represents insulation against cold.
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Slip Resistance
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In order to be considered “slip resistant”, shoes must meet certain safety regulations and slip resistance standards.
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Antistatic Sole
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A safety feature that will help protect against small uncomfortable shocks but does not offer protection when exposed to electronics and explosives.
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What are the Classifications of EN ISO 20345?
The key classifications provided to all safety footwear are separated into two classes, each class contains a set of ratings from low to high with the footwear having been tested against various safety requirements:
Class 1 - Footwear made from leather and other materials, but not all-rubber or all-polymeric
- SB - The basic requirements of a style of safety footwear (a 200J toecap)
- S1 -The basic requirements of a style of safety footwear (a 200J toecap) PLUS a closed, energy absorbing heel with antistatic properties
- S2 -The basic requirements of a style of safety footwear (a 200J toecap) PLUS a closed, energy absorbing heel with antistatic properties and water penetration / absorption
- S3 - The basic requirements of a style of safety footwear (a 200J toecap) PLUS an energy absorbing heel with antistatic properties, water penetration / absorption, penetration resistance and a cleated sole.
Class 2 - Footwear made from all-rubber or all-polymeric
- SB - The basic requirements of a style of safety footwear (a 200J toecap)
- S4 - The basic requirements of a style of safety footwear (a 200J toecap)
PLUS an energy absorbing heel
- S5 - The basic requirements of a style of safety footwear (a 200J toecap)
b. PLUS an energy absorbing heel with penetration resistance and a cleated sole.
Additional EN ISO 20345 Footwear Properties
Additional to the key classification, often safety footwear will carry additional “special” features which are usually specified by an individual or set of characters:
P – Penetration Resistance
C – Conductive
A – Antistatic
HI – Insulating Against Heat
CI – Insulating Against Cold
E – Energy Absorbing Heat Region
WRU – Upper Resistant to Water Penetration / Absorption
HRO – Outsole Resistant to Hot Contact
Slip Resistance & EN ISO 20344
Slip resistance is not part of EN ISO 20345, and instead is covered by EN ISO 20344 however it is frequently referenced alongside EN ISO 23045 as it is a key component of safety footwear. Slip resistance can be tested and certified to 3 levels:
SRA – Tested and withstood sufficient slip resistance on ceramic tile surface wetted with dilute soap solution.
SRB - Tested and withstood sufficient slip resistance on smooth steel surface with glycerol.
SRC - Tested and withstood sufficient slip resistance for both of the above conditions.