Safety Shoes ISI mark- What To Look For When Buying Safety Shoes
Safety shoes are one of the most important personal protective equipment for any industrial environment. They help protect workers from slips-trip- falls, punctures, cuts, falling object and electrical hazards while working in a factory or on a construction site. These shoes are made with a combination of leather, rubber, synthetic materials, and canvas that helps them provide maximum protection while you’re on your feet all day long.
The best industrial safety shoes are designed to keep you safe and comfortable while you’re working in places where there could be hazardous materials or chemicals. They come with features such as slip-resistant soles and thick uppers that help prevent slipping on slippery surfaces. Let us have a look at the minimum requirements to get Safety shoes ISI mark and compare it with EN standards.
Safety Shoes ISI mark: Classification and Markings
In India safety shoes ISI code is IS 15298 Part 2 :2011 which specifies basic and additional (optional) requirements for safety footwear. As per this standard safety footwear is classified into two categories
Classification I : Footwear made from leather and other materials, excluding all-rubber or all-polymeric footwear
Classification II: All-rubber (i.e. entirely vulcanized) or all-polymeric (i.e. entirely moulded) footwear
Further it is named In the following types as per safety shoes IS code
- Low shoe
- Ankle boot
- Knee-height boot
- Half-knee boot
- Thigh boot
All safety shoes which are BIS certified shall comply with the minimum requirements such as tear strength, tensile properties, permeability, abrasion resistance etc as prescribed by IS 15298.
Shoes that claim additional properties shall provide appropriate symbols for marking as below or appropriate category such as SB, S1, S2, S3, S4 or S5 (Refer table – 16 of IS 15298)
| Requirement | Marking |
| Penetration resistance | P |
| Conductive footwear | C |
| Antistatic footwear | A |
| Electrically insulating footwear | I |
| Heat insulation of sole complex | HI |
| Cold insulation of sole complex | CI |
| Energy absorption of seat region | E |
| Water resistance | WR |
| Metatarsal protection | M |
| Ankle protection | AN |
| Water penetration and water absorption (Upper) | WRU |
| Cut resistance | CR |
| Resistance to hot contact | HRO |
EN ISO 20345:2011:European Standard for Safety Shoes
EN ISO 20345:2011 issued by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) sets more rigorous minimum requirements for safety footwear. It specifies basic and additional (optional) requirements for safety footwear used for general purposes. It includes, for example, mechanical risks, slip resistance, thermal risks, and ergonomic behaviour. Special risks are covered by complementary job-related standards (e.g., footwear for firefighters, electrical insulating footwear, protection against chain saw injuries, protection against chemicals and molten metal splash)
EN ISO 20345:2011 divides safety footwear into two categories, depending on the material that the footwear was made from.
Class 1 – Leather Upper
It is further divided into different types based on features with following markings
SB (Safety Basic) = safety toe cap
SBP = safety toe cap + pierce resistant midsole
S1 = safety toe cap
S1P = safety toe cap + pierce resistant midsole
S2 = safety toe cap + water repellent upper
S3 = safety toe cap + pierce resistant midsole + water repellent upper
All S1, S1P, S2, S3 footwear have to have the following features:
- Anti-Static – Footwear with anti-static properties will prevent static build-up. Useful for areas where electrostatic discharge can have catastrophic results.
- Shock Absorbing Heel – Designed to absorb/reduce the shock impact on the heel produced by walking or landing. Having the boot with a shock-absorbing heel lowers the risk of potential injury significantly.
- Anti-Slip – Slip-Resistant footwear is specially designed to give you the most amount of grip on different surfaces. It is being tested and divided into 3 ways.
– SRA: Slip resistance on ceramic tile floors with sodium lauryl sulphate (SLS)
– SRB: Slip resistance on steel floors with glycerol
– SRC: Includes all characteristics of SRA + SRB - Oil & Acid Resistant Soles – Footwear with sole designed to resist oil and/or acid. Must-have properties when working in an area where potential spills of oil or acid could happen.
Click here to explore Class 1 safety shoes from our collection
Class 2 – Rubber/PVC/PU upper
– S4 = Class 2 footwear with a safety toe cap
– S5 = Class 2 footwear with a safety toe cap and a pierce resistant midsole
Additional Safety Features
- Water Repellent Upper (WRU)
- Waterproof – The product keeps the wearer dry in extremely wet conditions
- Metal Free – 100% free of metal parts. Suitable for work in security, aviation and general environments. Usually, the toe cap is made from composite material and the pierce resistant midsole of Kevlar
- Metatarsal Guard – New internal guard technology that adds a layer of protection to the metatarsal bone area of the wearer’s foot
- Heat Resistant Outsole (HRO) – an outsole which must be able to resist 300°C for 60 seconds
Understanding the requirements of safety shoe standards will help you in fair evaluation of products while making a purchase decision. It is important to compare products with similar specifications instead of blindly following the standard.
Things To Look Out For When You Buy Safety Shoes
If you’re looking for industrial-use shoes, you have many options. The best shoes for your situation will depend on your job and work requirements. Here are some considerations to keep in mind when shopping for shoes:
Material Quality: When purchasing a pair of shoes, look for one that is made with high-quality materials. The material used in these shoes will have to withstand intense use over time without falling apart on you.
Density of the Sole: Ensure the sole is of single or double density when purchasing a shoe. A double-density sole provides both great grip and durability, as well as shock absorption features to keep your feet comfortable while you’re on them all day.
Good Fit: Make sure your safety shoes fit you well. A good fit means that the shoes should be able to protect your feet without pinching or movement. Safety shoes with a wide toe helps to avoid pressure while wearing them ensuring maximum comfort.
Toe protection: You can choose steel toe or composite toe as your toe protection. Steel toes weigh more than composite and may be uncomfortable for long wear. But composite is more expensive than steel.
Brand Value: When you’re looking for safety shoes, you should buy them from a reputable brand. Experience counts: the more experience a company has in the industry, the better its options will be.
Appropriate for your Job: As explained above ISI or EN marking on safety shoe only guarantee you the minimum requirements. However, depending on the place of use, additional features are to be selected carefully. Always evaluate whether a particular model offers these and make sure it is marked on the product.
If you’re having trouble finding the right safety shoes for your job, don’t hesitate to contact us at [email protected] or call us at 9742323160.
