There EN ISO 20345 standard is an essential reference for manufacturers and users of safety shoes. This has recently evolved, leading to significant changes in the areas of slip resistance, perforation, protection categories and additional requirements. In this article, we will discuss these developments in detail and understand their impact on professionals in the sector and the workers concerned.
Slip resistance: reinforced tests
Slip resistance is an essential criterion to guarantee the safety of workers in their workplace. In the new EN ISO 20345 standard, the tests have been adjusted to better meet the requirements of the professional world. The main novelty concerns the disappearance of the full sliding resistance test. Now, the tests not only assess the resistance to sliding of the heel attack towards the front of the shoe, but also the resistance of the sole backwards. This development makes it possible to obtain more complete and reliable results in terms of security.
Two tests are carried out to evaluate the resistance to sliding: the first on a ceramic floor coated with detergent and the second on a glycerin coated ceramic tile. The first test corresponds to the fundamental requirement of the standard, without specific marking. The second test, on the other hand, corresponds to the “SR” marking, which is an additional requirement.
Perforation: stricter requirements
Protection against puncture is essential for workers exposed to the risk of injury from pointed or sharp objects. The new EN ISO 20345 standard introduces stricter requirements for puncture resistance. This is reflected in particular by the use of new materials and of new manufacturing methods for the soles and reinforcements of safety shoes.
Manufacturers are now required to guarantee better puncture protection and meet more demanding criteria in terms of resistance and durability. These improvements ensure optimal protection for workers and limit the risk of accidents linked to perforation.
New categories of protection: an offer adapted to each profession
The EN ISO 20345 standard now includes new categories of protection for safety shoes. These categories are defined according to the specific risks to which workers are exposed in their professional activity. They thus make it possible to offer shoes adapted to the needs of each profession.
Among the new categories of protection, we find in particular shoes intended for wetlands, to environments at risk of falling heavy objects or even to workers exposed to chemicals. Each shoe is designed to offer maximum protection in a particular professional context, thus guaranteeing optimal safety for workers.
Additional requirements: increased customization
The new EN ISO 20345 standard also provides for additional requirements for safety shoes. These requirements make it possible to meet specific protection needs, depending on the risks to which workers are exposed. They concern, for example, the heat resistance, to the perforation or even to the slide.
These additional requirements thus offer increased customization of safety shoes, allowing manufacturers to offer models adapted to each profession and each work environment. They also contribute to strengthening the safety of workers, by guaranteeing them ever more efficient personal protective equipment (PPE) adapted to their needs.
A guarantee of quality and safety for workers
The new EN ISO 20345 standard constitutes a real evolution for safety footwear. The changes made in terms of slip resistance, perforation, protection categories and additional requirements make it possible to offer workers ever more efficient personal protective equipment adapted to their needs.
These developments demonstrate the importance given to security and to the quality safety shoes, but also the desire of manufacturers and regulatory bodies to meet expectations professionals and workers.