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Standard S5: safety shoes

ISO 20345 standards, S3, S4, S5 safety shoes provide real protection

The ISO EN 20345 security standard is divided into five main categories, each with its own specificities: S1, S2,S3, S4, and S5. Depending on the environment of your workplace, your need in terms of safety standards varies and therefore your shoes too. If you work in an environment in contact with wet surfaces with a high possibility of water penetration, wearing personal protective equipment adapted to the risks is essential. Discover the characteristics of standard S5 safety shoes.

Zoom ISO 20345 and standards:

In addition, any EN ISO 20345-standard shoe must meet one of these criteria:

  • SRA: non-slip sole on ceramic tiles covered with detergent
  • SRB: non-slip sole on steel floor covered with glycerol
  • SRC : non-slip sole

Depending on the work environment, safety shoes may have other characteristics than the SRA, SRB, SRC standards. Therefore, a safety shoe may have one or more additional standards such as the WR or WRU standard. All shoes characterized by a standard have undergone numerous tests.

Meaning of WR and WRU standards:

WR: this standard certifies that the entire shoe is resistant to water penetration

WRU: this standard certifies that the material of the upper of the shoe is water resistant, water will have difficulty penetrating the upper, however water can pass through the bites assembly of parts.

Why wear safety shoes?

The wearing of personal protective equipment being compulsory in many companies, it is appropriate to opt for equipment adapted to the type of activity and the environment in which the workers operate. To ensure optimal foot protection, it is more than recommended to choose safety shoes woman or man respecting certain specific standards. Models conforming to the basic standard (SB or Safety Base) must protect the feet against risks:

  • Sliding (thanks to non-slip soles)
  • crushing (thanks to a protective toecap capable of withstanding a compression of 15 kN)
  • Shockproof (due to the toe cap resisting energy up to a force equivalent to 200 joules) 200 joules means that the protective toe cap will withstand an impact of 20Kg at a height of approximately one meter.

Zoom in on S5 standard safety shoes

Foot injuries account for almost 7% of work accidents, which are generally related to the environment. Therefore, it is crucial to wear personal protective equipment adapted to the constraints and requirements of the job. Dedicated to workers working in particularly humid areas, safety boots/shoes complying with standard EN 20345 category S5 must have:

  • A sole with anti-slip studs as well as protective tips resistant to crushing and shocks (according to SB standard)
  • A shock absorber at the heel, made of a material capable of absorbing high energy (E)
  • An outsole with anti-static properties, with an electrical resistance between 100 and 1,000 MΩ (A)
  • An outsole resistant to hydrocarbons and mineral oils (FO)
  • A anti-perforation (P) midsole

Made of rubber (fully vulcanized) or made of synthetic materials (fully molded polymer), boots complying with the S5 standard must display an extremely high level of waterproofness.

Who are S5 safety boots for?

Given their characteristics, shoes, S5 standard safety boots or S5 safety trainers are intended for construction professionals working on wet or muddy ground. They are also aimed at farmers and workers working in green spaces, among others. To be comfortable in your safety boots, it is recommended to choose the right size to benefit from a high level of protection and optimal comfort, for more comfort, especially in winter, you will find boots whose inside of the shoe is lined.