Understanding Safety Footwear Ratings
Choosing the right safety boots or work shoes is about more than protecting your toes. Your footwear may also need to protect against sharp objects underfoot, wet conditions, slippery surfaces, heat and other workplace hazards.
At Borderland Muff in Co. Donegal, we believe that workplace protection and all-day comfort should go hand in hand. Understanding safety footwear ratings helps you make an informed choice.
This guide explains the main EN ISO 20345:2022 safety footwear ratings, including S1, S3 and S7, as well as additional symbols such as HRO, FO, LG and SR.
Important: Footwear must always be selected according to the hazards identified in your workplace risk assessment. Check the manufacturer's markings and certification for each product.
Safety Boot Ratings at a Glance
All footwear certified to EN ISO 20345 includes a protective toe cap tested to withstand an impact of 200 joules. Additional ratings indicate different levels of protection.
| Rating | Protection |
|---|---|
| SB | Basic safety toe protection. |
| S1 | Toe protection, enclosed heel, antistatic properties and heel energy absorption. |
| S1P | S1 protection plus metallic penetration-resistant insert. |
| S1PL | S1 plus non-metallic penetration resistance, tested with a 4.5 mm nail. |
| S1PS | S1 plus non-metallic penetration resistance, tested with a 3.0 mm nail. |
| S2 | S1 plus upper water penetration and absorption resistance (WPA). |
| S3 | S2 plus metallic penetration resistance and a cleated outsole. |
| S3L | S3-type protection with non-metallic PL penetration resistance. |
| S3S | S3-type protection with non-metallic PS penetration resistance. |
| S4 | All-rubber or all-polymeric safety footwear with antistatic and heel energy absorption properties. |
| S5 | S4 plus metallic penetration resistance and a cleated outsole. |
| S5L | S5-type protection using a non-metallic PL insert. |
| S5S | S5-type protection using a non-metallic PS insert. |
| S6 | S2 protection plus whole-footwear water resistance (WR). |
| S7 | S3 protection plus whole-footwear water resistance (WR). |
| S7L | S7-type protection with non-metallic PL penetration resistance. |
| S7S | S7-type protection with non-metallic PS penetration resistance. |
What Is the Difference Between S1, S3 and S7 Safety Boots?
S1 Safety Footwear
S1 footwear includes protective toe caps, antistatic properties and heel energy absorption. It may be considered for dry indoor workplaces where penetration or additional water protection is not required by the risk assessment.
S3 Safety Boots
S3 safety footwear adds penetration resistance, water penetration and absorption resistance of the upper, and a cleated outsole. These features make S3 footwear a common option for construction, maintenance and general trade environments.
S7 Waterproof Safety Boots
S7 safety footwear builds on S3 protection by adding tested whole-footwear water resistance. This can be especially useful for outdoor work, construction sites and workplaces regularly exposed to rain or wet ground.
Water-resistance certification is based on defined tests and does not mean footwear will remain watertight indefinitely, particularly as it wears.
Additional Safety Footwear Symbols Explained
Alongside the main safety classification, you may see additional letters printed on safety footwear labels. These indicate specific protective properties.
| Code | Meaning |
|---|---|
| A | Antistatic footwear. |
| AN | Ankle protection. |
| C | Partially conductive footwear. |
| CI | Cold insulation of the sole complex. |
| CR | Cut resistance of the upper. |
| E | Energy absorption in the heel region. |
| FO | Fuel oil-resistant outsole. |
| HI | Heat insulation of the sole complex. |
| HRO | Outsole tested for contact heat resistance at 300°C. |
| LG | Additional tested ladder grip. |
| M | Metatarsal protection. |
| P | Metallic penetration-resistant insert. |
| PL | Non-metallic penetration-resistant insert tested with a 4.5 mm nail. |
| PS | Non-metallic penetration-resistant insert tested with a 3.0 mm nail. |
| SC | Abrasion resistance of the protective scuff cap. |
| SR | Additional slip resistance on ceramic tiles with glycerol. |
| WPA | Water penetration and absorption resistance of the upper. |
| WR | Whole-footwear water resistance. |
What Does ESD Mean on Safety Footwear?
ESD stands for electrostatic discharge. ESD footwear is designed to help control electrostatic discharge in suitable working environments, including certain electronics manufacturing and handling areas.
ESD performance is assessed separately from the main EN ISO 20345 safety classifications. ESD footwear does not provide electrical insulation for protection against electric shock. Always follow the applicable workplace electrical safety requirements.
Safety Footwear Slip Resistance Ratings
What Does SR Mean on Safety Boots?
Under EN ISO 20345:2022, basic slip resistance is a requirement for safety footwear, with an additional SR marking available for footwear that passes a further test on ceramic tiles with glycerol.
What Do SRA, SRB and SRC Mean?
You may still see these markings on footwear certified to the older EN ISO 20345:2011 standard:
- SRA: Slip resistance tested on ceramic tiles with a detergent solution.
- SRB: Slip resistance tested on steel with glycerol.
- SRC: Passed both the SRA and SRB tests.
These older labels are not part of the EN ISO 20345:2022 marking system. An SR rating is not a guarantee against slipping in every environment.
How to Choose Safety Footwear for Your Job
Different workplaces present different hazards. Consider the following when selecting safety boots or shoes:
- Construction: Toe protection, underfoot penetration resistance, water resistance and appropriate grip.
- Warehouse work: Toe protection, slip resistance, comfort and any necessary penetration protection.
- Outdoor trades: Whole-footwear water resistance, grip and protection against sharp objects.
- Engineering and workshops: Toe protection, oil resistance, heat exposure and underfoot protection where required.
- Electrical environments: Footwear selected specifically for the electrical hazards and applicable safety requirements.
- Hospitality: Appropriate slip resistance for the floor conditions and other hazards identified.
These are general considerations rather than prescribed safety ratings for each occupation. Your employer's workplace risk assessment should determine the correct protective footwear.
Frequently Asked Questions About Safety Boots
What does S3 mean on safety boots?
S3 safety footwear includes protective toe caps, antistatic properties, heel energy absorption, water penetration and absorption resistance of the upper, penetration-resistant protection and a cleated outsole.
Are S3 safety boots waterproof?
Not necessarily. S3 provides water penetration and absorption resistance of the upper. For tested whole-footwear water resistance, look for the WR marking or an appropriate S7-rated boot.
What does S7 mean on work boots?
S7 provides S3-type protection with additional whole-footwear water resistance. This is particularly relevant when selecting footwear for wet outdoor conditions.
What does HRO mean on safety boots?
HRO means the outsole has passed a contact heat resistance test at 300°C. It does not mean that the entire boot can safely withstand this temperature.
What is the difference between steel and composite penetration protection?
Metallic penetration-resistant inserts are marked P under the 2022 standard. Non-metallic inserts are marked PL or PS depending on the test nail diameter. Always check the certified protection rather than relying only on the material description.
Are ESD safety boots suitable for electricians?
ESD footwear is intended for controlling electrostatic discharge, not protecting against electric shock. Electricians must choose footwear appropriate to the electrical hazards and relevant standards identified by their risk assessment.
What is the best safety boot rating for construction?
There is no single rating suitable for every construction job. S3 and S7 footwear offer combinations of toe and underfoot protection, with S7 adding whole-footwear water resistance. Additional ratings may be necessary depending on site conditions.
Where can I buy safety boots in Donegal or Ireland?
Borderland Muff in Muff, Co. Donegal, stocks workwear and safety footwear for tradespeople and businesses. Explore our range of safety boots and work footwear online at borderlandmuff.ie.
Shop Safety Footwear at Borderland Muff
Looking for safety boots for construction, warehouse work or everyday trade use? Browse our range of protective work footwear and choose the safety rating suited to your working environment.
Explore Safety Boots at Borderland Muff
This guide is for general information only and is not a substitute for manufacturer certification, applicable safety standards or a workplace risk assessment. Check the markings on the individual product before purchasing.
