choosing your safety shoes

Choosing the right safety footwear is essential to ensure not only your protection, but also your comfort throughout the working day. Whatever your sector of activity, it's crucial to select footwear that meets the specific requirements of your environment. The wrong pair of shoes can lead to discomfort, pain, and even accidents. This article guides you through the main criteria to consider in making an informed choice and finding the safety footwear that will ensure both your safety and your well-being at work.

Current standards for safety footwear

Since March 2022, manufacturers of safety footwear have been able to standardise their models on the new version of standard EN ISO 20345: 2022.

Since its publication in the European Official Journal in May 2023, EN ISO 20345:2022 has been harmonised throughout the European Union. The timetable provides for a transition period during which safety footwear manufacturers can have their products certified either to EN ISO 20345: 2011 or to the new version EN ISO 20345: 2022. This transition period runs until 11 November 2024.

AET certifications are valid for 5 years. This means that the old and new standards will co-exist on the market until 11 November 2029.

The main changes to EN ISO 20345:2022 are as follows:

SLIP RESISTANCE REQUIREMENT: a detergent/ceramic slip test will now be one of the basic SB requirements. A glycerine/ceramic test may also be carried out as an additional requirement (SR marking). Glide tests will now be carried out on the heel and forefoot (compared with the heel and flat of the sole at present).

PERFORATION RESISTANCE REQUIREMENT: the ‘P’ marking currently required for S1 P and S3 standard marking is retained, but only for metallic inserts (anti-perforation plates). Non-metallic inserts (textile or composite) are now differentiated into a PL marking (test carried out with a 4.5 mm ‘wide tip’), and a PS marking (test carried out with a 3 mm ‘small tip’).

REQUIREMENT FOR THE RESISTANCE OF THE SOLE TO HYDROCARBONS (FO MARKING): this requirement is no longer compulsory in order to obtain the normative markings S1, S2, S3... Under the new standard, it becomes an additional requirement, which will be useful in work environments exposed to hydrocarbons.

NEW S6 AND S7 MARKINGS HAVE APPEARED to identify safety footwear that is totally resistant to water, thanks to a membrane or waterproof stitching, for example.

NEW ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS HAVE BEEN ADDED:

- The SC requirement provides a framework for standardising the resistance of the material on the ‘stone guard’ forefoot by means of an abrasion resistance test.

- The LG requirement sets out the characteristics of the unhooked heel, to enhance the safety of users climbing ladders.

To find out more and understand the markings and additional requirements, visit our pages dedicated to the 2 standards: EN ISO 20345: 2011 or EN ISO 20345: 2022.

what are the differences between safety shoes and work shoes?

Safety footwear and work shoes are essential items of equipment for protecting workers in a variety of working environments, and are known as PPE (personal protective equipment). However, they do not meet the same requirements and are designed for specific uses. Here are the main differences between these two types of footwear.

Protection standards: Safety footwear must comply with strict standards, in particular European standard EN ISO 20345, which requires the presence of a protective toe cap capable of withstanding a pressure of 200 joules. This toe cap protects the feet from falling heavy objects or being crushed. Safety footwear also includes other protective features such as an anti-perforation sole, slip resistance, resistance to hydrocarbons and insulation against cold or heat. Work shoes, on the other hand, are not subject to this same safety standard, but comply with EN ISO 20347. They mainly offer comfort and support for repetitive tasks or prolonged walking, but do not necessarily have a protective toe cap or anti-perforation features. They are often used in less hazardous environments, where the risk of injury is low.

Intended use: Safety footwear is essential for high-risk jobs (construction, materials handling, heavy industry), while work footwear is suitable for sectors where heavy protection is not necessary, such as light logistics, retail or the hotel industry.

Safety footwear and work footwear are differentiated by the standards that govern them and the protection needs of the wearer.

identify the risks associated with your professional activity

As soon as the first employee is recruited, every company is obliged to produce a DUERP (document unique d'évaluation des risques professionnels). This document details the risks to which employees are exposed in the course of their duties. The employer must then provide an appropriate technical response to the risks listed in the DUERP. PPE (personal protective equipment) such as safety shoes is an ad hoc solution. 

If the DUERP and the company's internal regulations stipulate that the risks are such that safety shoes must be worn, then safety shoes are compulsory within the company.  So, to ward off any danger of perforation, crushing, slipping, fractures or wounds, safety shoes are indeed compulsory in some companies.

This is because all employers are obliged to provide their employees with safety footwear whenever the working environment so requires. Article R4323-95 of the French Labour Code clearly states this. What's more, the employer is responsible for renewing the supply of safety footwear as soon as necessary.

Would you like to find out more about the obligation to wear safety footwear in a high-risk environment, the sectors of activity covered by the obligation, and who supplies them? Click here to read our full article.

criteria for choosing suitable, comfortable safety footwear

When working in demanding environments, it is essential to wear safety footwear that offers not only adequate protection but also optimum comfort. The wrong choice of footwear can lead to pain, long-term injury and reduced productivity. So the choice of safety footwear should not be taken lightly. To ensure effective protection and lasting comfort, a number of criteria need to be taken into account, including the size and width of the shoes, the materials used, cushioning, support and flexibility of movement.

Size and width

One of the most crucial aspects in choosing safety shoes is size and width. Wearing ill-fitting shoes can lead to foot pain, blisters and even long-term deformity. So it's vital to choose a pair that fits your feet perfectly.

It's important to remember that the dimensions of your feet can fluctuate depending on your postural habits, your weight and various other factors. It is sometimes necessary to measure your feet precisely before buying new shoes, as not all manufacturers use the same sizing method.

To find out your true shoe size, it's best to measure it using a foot gauge, which you can get from your shoe fitter. If you don't have a foot gauge at your disposal, find out more about Parade's tips for finding your shoe size in our article ‘Foot pain in safety shoes: how to avoid it’.

Width is another factor not to be overlooked: a shoe that is too narrow can compress the foot and cause discomfort, while one that is too wide will not provide the necessary support. There are different widths available on the market, and it's important to choose the one that fits your foot to ensure optimum comfort throughout the working day.

Materials

The materials used in the manufacture of safety footwear play a decisive role in its construction and must comply with the requirements of the working environment and the needs of the wearer (comfort, breathability, etc.).

The choice of materials depends on the footwear's needs in terms of use, such as resistance to liquid penetration, breathability, resistance to hydrocarbons and ease of cleaning. But the choice of materials also depends on the standards and additional requirements to which the footwear must conform.

Leather, for example, is often used for the ‘upper’ (the upper part of the shoe that covers the foot) and is renowned for its robustness and durability.

On the inside, the linings must be soft, breathable and able to manage moisture to prevent chafing.

The choice of materials for the sole is also crucial: a non-slip rubber outsole guarantees good abrasion resistance, while materials such as EVA or PU provide robustness and excellent shock absorption.

Taking into account the materials making up the upper and/or sole of Parade safety footwear will enable you to find the product that suits you in every way; in line with the requirements of your working environment as well as your more specific needs (comfort, breathability, flexibility...). To find out about all the materials used in the different parts of our safety shoes, read this article : https://www.parade-protection.com/en/blog/all-you-need-to-know-about-safety-shoe-materials-n58

Cushioning and support

Cushioning and support are essential criteria for ensuring the comfort of safety footwear.

Cushioning absorbs shock with every step, reducing stress on the joints and spine. Good cushioning is particularly important for workers who spend long hours on their feet or working on hard surfaces. At Parade, we've gone to great lengths to make our safety footwear even more comfortable, which is why we've developed exclusive technologies.

Our DRS technology supports the heel in its shock-absorbing role. The DRS is a semi-dome-shaped cavity under the heel. When the heel comes into contact with the ground, this cavity collapses and supports the heel as it adapts to the terrain, before rolling off and propelling the foot. Discover the DRS 2 on our sport racing outsole.

Support, on the other hand, refers to the way in which the shoe holds and stabilises the foot. Good arch support can prevent conditions such as plantar fasciitis, so it's crucial that the shoe holds the foot firmly while allowing freedom of movement. Our VPS (suspended arch support) technology addresses this issue. The ergonomic shape of the sole maintains the natural arch of the foot by hugging the arch of the foot. This support for the foot, built into the insole, provides undeniable comfort, particularly when walking or standing for long periods.

Discover all our PARADE technologies to bring you greater comfort here.

Movement and flexibility

Finally, the flexibility of safety footwear is an aspect that is often underestimated, but is just as important for comfort. Footwear that is too rigid can impede the foot's natural movements, causing friction and increasing the risk of injury. It is therefore essential to choose footwear that allows good foot flexion while offering an adequate level of protection. This is why at Parade we have developed our FLEX SYSTEM technology; FLEX SYSTEM technology is adapted to the construction industry and to uneven ground. The exclusive design of the sole, with its flex grooves, reduces stress zones in the sole, providing flexibility and comfort when walking. The foot rolls along more easily, and the horizontal, notched grooves located under the metatarsals, in the folds of the foot, help to evacuate the earth during propulsion.

In addition, the anti-perforation insert, made from a textile known to be more flexible, and a flexible upper, combined with good support, promote freedom of movement without compromising safety.

Tips for looking after your safety footwear

Every day, your safety footwear may come into contact with rain, mud, heat, chemicals, etc. In direct contact with your footwear, these elements will affect its lifespan. Follow our advice on how to look after your shoes.

Let's start with the outside of your safety shoes. Exterior cleaning will depend on the material of the upper (the upper part of the foot) of your safety shoes, and different cleaning techniques will need to be used. Leather safety shoes need to be gently washed and the material nourished with special creams. Microfibre shoes can be cleaned with a damp cloth. Finally, for textile footwear, we recommend gentle cleaning with a damp cloth, not in a washing machine!

The inside of your safety shoes can also be subject to other problems, such as unpleasant odours and fungal infections. To prevent this, Parade advises you to change your socks every day, wash your feet thoroughly and store your shoes properly. In addition, to neutralise odours and have an antibacterial action, you can spray your insoles with a deodorant designed for this purpose.

If you'd like to find out more about looking after your safety footwear, read our article on the subject: https://www.parade-protection.com/en/blog/how-do-i-look-after-my-safety-shoes-n72