Safety Shoes: Safety Classes for the Industrial Sector

In the industrial sector, choosing the right safety shoes is essential for ensuring maximum protection and safety in the workplace. Work shoes are classified into different safety categories, each designed to address specific professional needs, perfectly adapting to the various risks present in industrial environments.

Safety Classes of Safety Shoes

Each industrial sector presents different challenges and hazards, which is why safety shoes are distinguished into various safety classes, each intended for a specific type of job:

• SB: Ideal for environments with lower exposure to physical risks, such as laboratories, pharmaceutical, and food industries, where foot protection from slips and minor impacts is necessary.
• S1: The perfect solution for carpenters, warehouse workers, mechanics, and electricians working in environments with moderate risks, such as impacts and crushes.
• S1P: The most common safety shoes in Italy, particularly suitable for mechanics, craftsmen, carpenters, and plumbers, thanks to their ability to combine comfort and protection against punctures.
• S2: Recommended for those working in the catering sector and in environments with high humidity levels, ensuring water protection.
• S3: Offer a high degree of protection from weather elements, ideal for those working outdoors in adverse conditions.

Additional Features for Industrial Safety Shoes

In addition to safety classes, safety shoes can come with additional features that provide further levels of protection, particularly useful in complex and high-risk industrial contexts:

• A: Protection against the accumulation of electrostatic charges.
• C: Insulation from electric shocks, essential in industrial environments with electrical risks.
• E: Energy-absorbing sole in the heel area, enhancing comfort during long working hours.
• M: Metatarsal protection, essential in environments where heavy object drops are common.
• P: Puncture-resistant sole, ideal for protecting feet in environments with sharp or cutting materials.
• CI: Cold insulation, perfect for those working in refrigerated environments or outdoors during winter.
• WR: Completely waterproof shoes, essential for those operating in wet environments or under rain.
• SRC: Maximum slip resistance, combining slip-resistant properties on ceramics, detergents, steel, and glycerin, particularly useful in sectors like chemical and mechanical.

CE Regulations for the Industrial Sector

All safety shoes for the industrial sector must be certified in compliance with European regulations to ensure adherence to the legal safety requirements. The main regulations include:

• EN ISO 20344: Defines the testing methods and general requirements for verifying the protection of safety footwear.
• EN ISO 20345: Requires the toe cap of the shoes to withstand the drop of a weight of 20 kg from a height of 1 meter (equivalent to 200 Joules), ensuring protection from impacts and compressions.
• EN ISO 20347: Pertains to work footwear without a toe cap, commonly used in environments with less exposure to serious risks.

Toe Cap in Safety Shoes

The toe cap is one of the key components in safety shoes for the industrial sector, as it provides essential protection against impacts and crushes. The materials used for the toe cap can vary, with different options to meet comfort and safety needs:

• Steel: A traditional material, extremely robust and heavy, primarily used in industrial environments with high crushing risks.
• Aluminum: Lighter than steel, it still offers excellent protection and is appreciated for comfort and thermal insulation.
• Composite materials: Offer equally effective protection but with reduced weight, making them ideal for those seeking lightweight and comfortable footwear without compromising safety.

In the industrial sector, choosing the right safety shoes can make the difference between working safely or risking serious injuries. It is essential to consider the safety class, additional features, and regulations to ensure that the shoes fully meet the needs of one's work environment.