EN ISO 20347 Standard

EN ISO 20347 refers to a European and international standard for work footwear that does not include a safety toe cap. This standard specifies the basic requirements for professional footwear intended to protect the wearer against potential risks and hazards in the work environment, but without the protective metal toe cap required in safety footwear under the EN ISO 20345 standard.

What does EN ISO 20347 cover?

• Basic ergonomic design: The footwear must be designed to support proper foot function and reduce leg fatigue.
• Material and construction requirements: The materials must be durable and suitable for the protective purpose, and the construction must ensure that the footwear is safe and functional.
• Antistatic properties: Footwear must be able to reduce the build-up of static electricity by conducting the electricity away from the body to the ground.
• Energy-absorbing soles: Soles must be able to absorb energy in the heel area to help minimise shock and impact when walking.
• Water-repellent properties: For certain models, there may be a requirement that the footwear is water-repellent, which is particularly important in damp working environments.
• Slip-resistant soles: Footwear must offer safety against slipping on slippery surfaces to prevent falls.

EN ISO 20347 ensures that work footwear meets specific safety and performance standards, even though they do not offer the same level of protection as safety shoes with a toe cap. These standards help to set a uniform benchmark for quality and safety in the production of professional footwear.

Detailed Description of the Safety Standards for Work Shoes

01

Work shoes marked with "01" meet the requirements of the European standard EN ISO 20347, which specifies work shoes without a safety toe cap. These shoes are designed for work environments where there is no risk of heavy objects falling on the feet, but other protective features may still be required. Typical features include:

• Antistatic properties: Reduces the build-up of static electricity by conducting it away from the body to the ground.
• Energy-absorbing sole in the heel area: Helps reduce stress on the feet and legs during prolonged periods of standing or walking.

O2

"O2" denotes a type of work shoe that, like "01", is intended for professional areas without a safety toe cap requirement but offers additional protection against water ingress. The shoes are specifically designed to be water-repellent, making them suitable for use in wet working environments. This is particularly important for workers in, for example, the cleaning industry or outdoor jobs in damp environments.

FO

The code "FO" indicates that the work shoe has an oil-repellent sole. This is an important feature for footwear used in environments where oil spills or similar substances may occur. The sole is designed to resist degradation due to contact with oily materials, ensuring longer durability and better safety for the user.

SR

"SR" stands for slip resistance, which means that the shoe's soles have been tested for their ability to resist slipping on slippery surfaces. This is an essential safety feature in many work environments where there is a risk of accidents due to slippery floors, such as in kitchens, hospitals, or in industrial areas with slippery surfaces. Slip-resistant soles help prevent falls and related injuries.

These categorizations and features ensure that work shoes meet certain safety and functional requirements that are essential for the safety and comfort of users in the workplace.

S3 

Shoes marked with "S3" indicate that they meet all the basic safety requirements that apply to S1 and S2 shoes, but offer additional features:

Water-repellent upper: This ensures that the shoes can withstand a certain amount of water without allowing it to penetrate the shoe, which is ideal for use in environments where there is a risk of wet feet.
Penetration-resistant midsole: This is typically made of steel or a composite material that prevents sharp objects from penetrating the sole and damaging the foot.

Shoes that combine these specifications (S3S FO SR) are therefore high-performance safety shoes designed to offer optimal protection against various occupational hazards, including wet conditions, oil spills and the risk of penetration by sharp objects. They are ideal for use in a variety of industrial and construction-related jobs where foot safety is a top priority.

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