Steel-toe boot

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A pair of well-worn steel-toe shoes Steel-toe boots.jpg
A pair of well-worn steel-toe shoes
A pair of ISO 20345:2004 compliant S3 safety boots S3 safety footwear.jpg
A pair of ISO 20345:2004 compliant S3 safety boots

A steel-toe boot (also known as a safety boot, steel-capped boot, steel toecaps or safety shoe) is a durable boot or shoe that has a protective reinforcement in the toe which protects the foot from falling objects or compression. Safety shoes are effective in keeping the feet of industrial workers safe from sharp and heavy objects while working in factories. [1]

Contents

Safety footwear now comes in many styles, including sneakers, clogs, and dress shoes. Some are quite formal, for supervising engineers who must visit sites where protective footwear is mandatory. [2]

Some brands of steel-toe footwear have become fashionable within subcultures such as skinhead, punk, and rivethead. While brands that were previously renowned within the fashion industry have also diversified into the safety footwear market, industrial brands like Caterpillar, Rock Fall and JCB have also issued licenses to produce safety footwear.

History


Steel toe boots have been around for a very long time.

Safety boot

Safety boots are used by tradespeople to protect from environmental hazards at a jobsite. They may also be used for outdoor recreational activities or sports such as off-roading, overlanding or woodchopping. Common protections include steel/reinforced toe, metatarsal guard, penetration-resistant (steel plate in mid-sole), electrical hazard (EH), chemical resistance and waterproofing. [3] Modern safety boots are usually laced with a vertical side zipper under a hook-and-loop strap. [4]

Safety criteria

Asia

Safety shoes with removable polymer metatarsal guards Nitti MetatarsalGuard.jpg
Safety shoes with removable polymer metatarsal guards

Safety shoe standards in Asia are:

Europe

A pair of ISO 20345:2004 compliant anti-static shoes ESD Sicherheitsschuhe.jpg
A pair of ISO 20345:2004 compliant anti-static shoes
A pair of ISO 20345:2004 compliant S3 HRO HI CI FPA safety boots for firefighters featuring a laced in quickzip boot closure Haix boots.jpg
A pair of ISO 20345:2004 compliant S3 HRO HI CI FPA safety boots for firefighters featuring a laced in quickzip boot closure
Several types of traditional Dutch whole feet clogs are ISO 20345:2004 compliant S3 safety shoes. Klompen (Dutch Clogs), Wooden Shoes Museum in Drenthe.jpg
Several types of traditional Dutch whole feet clogs are ISO 20345:2004 compliant S3 safety shoes.

[5]

The International Organization for Standardization provides the European standard for safety footwear. The current one is ISO 20345:2011 - previously ISO 20345:2004.

The codes applicable to European safety footwear are:

Protected areaType of protectionCode
Steel toeBasic Impact 200 joules including compression 15,000 newtonsSB
200 joule toecap protection. Closed seat region (fully enclosed heel). Antistatic properties. Energy absorption of seat region. Fuel resistance.S1
200 joule toecap protection. Closed seat region (fully enclosed heel). Antistatic properties. Energy absorption of seat region. Fuel resistance. Water penetration and water absorption resistance.S2
200 joule toecap protection. Closed seat region (fully enclosed heel). Antistatic properties. Energy absorption of seat region. Fuel resistance. Water penetration and water absorption resistance. Sole penetration resistance. Cleated outsole.S3
Additional protectionsHeat-Resistant Outsole: shoe sole resistance to hot contact up to 300 °C for 1 minuteHRO
Penetration resistance offered by a steel midsole: 1100 newtonsP
Heel energy absorption: 20 joulesE
Water penetration-resistant uppersWRU
Whole shoe waterproofWR
Metatarsal protectionM
Ankle protectionAN
Electrical resistanceConductive: Maximum resistance 100 kΩO
Antistatic: Range of 100 kΩ to 1000 MΩA
Hostile environmentsCold Insulated: shoe insulated against cold to -17 °C for 30 minutesCI
Heat Insulated: shoe insulated against heat up to 150 °C for 30 minutesHI
Skid resistance on ceramic tile floors with sodium lauryl sulfate solution cleaning agentSRA
Skid resistance on steel floors with glycerine SRB
Skid resistance on ceramic tile floors with cleaning agent and steel floors with glycerineSRC
Fuel resistance (oil and gasoline/petrol)FO
Cut resistance (not against chainsaw cuts)CR

There is also Previous EN ISO 20346:2004 and Now the latest one is EN ISO 20346:2021 [6] for protective footwear (must comply to basic safety requirements but toe cap impact resistance requirement is lower - 100 Joules) & EN ISO 20347:2004 for Occupational Footwear (must comply to basic safety requirements with antistatic or slip-resistant properties. This standard does not require a protective toe cap)

North America

Canada

(CSA) green triangle and orange electrical safety tags CSABootSymbols.jpg
(CSA) green triangle and orange electrical safety tags

In Canada, the most common standards used by employers are those of the CSA Group (formerly the Canadian Standards Association; CSA), published in CSA standard Z195. These standards are similar to the ASTM International standards commonly used in the United States but the testing methods do vary.

CSA standards on shoe labels feature distinct shapes and colors, represents specific safety criteria for all safety footwear and apparel:

  • Green triangle with registered symbol - Sole puncture protection with a Grade 1 protective toe. (Heavy work environment: construction; machine shops; where sharp objects are present)
  • Yellow triangle with registered symbol - Sole puncture protection with a Grade 2 protective toe. (Light industrial work environments)
  • White rectangle with orange Greek letter omega and registered symbol - Soles that provide electric shock resistance, with Ω (capital omega) being the symbol for ohms of electrical resistance. (Any industrial environment where live electrical conductors can occur)
  • Yellow rectangle with green letters "SD", a grounding symbol and registered symbol - Capable of dissipating an electrostatic charge in a controlled manner. (Any industrial environment where a static discharge can be a hazard for workers or equipment)
  • Red rectangle with a black letter C, grounding symbol and registered symbol - Soles that are electrically conductive. (Any industrial environment where low-power electrical charges can be a hazard for workers or equipment)
  • White label with green fir tree symbol and registered symbol - Provides protection when using chainsaws. (Forestry workers and others required to use a chainsaw)
  • Blue Square with registered symbol - Grade 1 protective toe only. (For all other environments not listed above)

The registered symbol in each of the CSA Z195 protective footwear markings is a registered identifying logo or mark of the certifying agency. [7] Examples of organizations that certify footwear to this standard include the Safety Equipment Institute (SEI), the CSA Group, and UL Solutions.

Generally, a safety shoe is a shoe that follows at least one of five criteria. The criteria that a safety shoe adheres to can be found by looking for the CSA (Canadian Standards Association) alphanumeric code found inside the shoe. This code is made up of a combination of 5 different symbols:

  • 1, 2 or 0;
  • P or 0;
  • M or 0;
  • E, S or C;
  • X or 0.
  1. The first code indicates whether the shoe has a steel-toe cap (a metal shell embedded on top of the toes part of the shoe). "0" means there is none. "1" means that there is, and it resists an impact of 125 joules (22.7 kg object falling from 56 cm above). "2" means that it resists an impact of 90 joules.
  2. The second code indicates whether the shoe has soles that protect the arches of the feet from punctures. "P" means it does. "O" means it doesn't.
  3. The third code indicates whether the shoe has a metatarsus protection against shocks and collisions. "M" means it does. "O" doesn't.
  4. The fourth code indicates the shoe's electrical properties. "E" means it resists electrical shocks. "S" means it disperses static electrical. "C" means it conducts electricity.
  5. This last code is found only on shoes that protect the foot from chainsaws, i.e. chainsaw boots. "X" it does, "O" does not.

United States

A pair of ASTM 2412-2413 compliant S3 safety shoes OZAPATO S3 Safety Boot.jpg
A pair of ASTM 2412-2413 compliant S3 safety shoes

In the United States, the most common standards used by employers for protective footwear are ASTM International standards F2412-18a (Standard Test Methods for Foot Protection) and ASTM F2413-18 (Standard Specification for Performance Requirements for Foot Protection).

OSHA previously required compliance of ANSI Z41.1-1991, "American National Standard for Personal Protection-Protective Footwear," if purchased after July 5, 1994, [8] or ANSI standard "USA Standard for Men's Safety-Toe Footwear," Z41.1-1967, [9] if purchased before that date.

As of March 1, 2005, ANSI Z41 has been replaced by ASTM F2412 and ASTM F2413 [10]

ASTM certified footwear must include a label that indicates which safety standards that particular footwear meets. The various safety standards include:

  • I - Impact
  • C - Compression
  • Mt - Metatarsal
  • Cd - Conductive
  • EH - Electrical Hazard
  • SD - Static Dissipating
  • PR - Puncture Resistant

Oceania

Use as a weapon

Steel-toe boots have been used in assaults, such as the attack on Josie Lou Ratley, a Florida teenager. [11] Nightclubs and other entertainment venues frequently include a "no steel toecaps" rule as part of their dress code to mitigate the possibility of serious injury to other patrons if the wearer becomes violent.[ citation needed ] Use of bovver boots in football hooliganism was countered by warnings to fans that they would have to remove such boots in order to attend football matches. [12]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">ISO 3864</span> Technical standard for safety symbols

ISO 3864 specifies international standards for safety signs and markings in workplaces and public facilities. These labels are graphical, to overcome language barriers. The standard is split into four parts.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shoe</span> Footwear

A shoe is an item of footwear intended to protect and comfort the human foot. Though the human foot can adapt to varied terrains and climate conditions, it is vulnerable, and shoes provide protection. Form was originally tied to function, but over time, shoes also became fashion items. Some shoes are worn as safety equipment, such as steel-toe boots, which are required footwear at industrial worksites.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Footwear</span> Garments worn on feet

Footwear refers to garments worn on the feet, which typically serve the purpose of protection against adversities of the environment such as wear from rough ground; stability on slippery ground; and temperature.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Personal protective equipment</span> Equipment designed to help protect an individual from hazards

Personal protective equipment (PPE) is protective clothing, helmets, goggles, or other garments or equipment designed to protect the wearer's body from injury or infection. The hazards addressed by protective equipment include physical, electrical, heat, chemical, biohazards, and airborne particulate matter. Protective equipment may be worn for job-related occupational safety and health purposes, as well as for sports and other recreational activities. Protective clothing is applied to traditional categories of clothing, and protective gear applies to items such as pads, guards, shields, or masks, and others. PPE suits can be similar in appearance to a cleanroom suit.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Boot</span> Type of footwear extending above the ankle joint

A boot is a type of footwear. Most boots mainly cover the foot and the ankle, while some also cover some part of the lower calf. Some boots extend up the leg, sometimes as far as the knee or even the hip. Most boots have a heel that is clearly distinguishable from the rest of the sole, even if the two are made of one piece. Traditionally made of leather or rubber, modern boots are made from a variety of materials.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wellington boot</span> Type of waterproof boot

A Wellington boot, often shortened to welly, and also known as a gumboot, rubber boot, or rain boot, is a type of waterproof boot made of rubber.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hard hat</span> Protective headwear

A hard hat is a type of helmet predominantly used in hazardous environments such as industrial or construction sites to protect the head from injury due to falling objects, impact with other objects, and electric shock, as well as from rain. Suspension bands inside the helmet spread the helmet's weight and the force of any impact over the top of the head. A suspension also provides space of approximately 30 mm between the helmet's shell and the wearer's head, so that if an object strikes the shell, the impact is less likely to be transmitted directly to the skull. Some helmet shells have a mid-line reinforcement ridge to improve impact resistance. The rock climbing helmet fulfills a very similar role in a different context and has a very similar design.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">CSA Group</span> Canadian standards development organisation

The CSA Group is a standards organization which develops standards in 57 areas. CSA publishes standards in print and electronic form, and provides training and advisory services. CSA is composed of representatives from industry, government, and consumer groups.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Motorcycle boot</span>

Motorcycle boots are associated with motorcycle riders and range from above ankle to below knee boots. They have an outside of a typical boot but a low heel to control the motorcycle. To improve motorcycle safety, motorcycle boots are generally made from a thick, heavy leather and may include energy absorbing and load spreading padding, metal, plastic and/or composite materials to protect the motorcycle rider's feet, ankles and legs in an accident. For use in wet weather, some boots have a waterproof membrane lining such as Gore-Tex or SympaTex.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jungle boot</span> Jungle warfare specialized boots

Jungle boots are a type of combat boot designed for use in jungle warfare or in hot, wet, and humid environments where a standard leather combat boot would be uncomfortable or unsuitable to wear. Jungle boots have vent holes in the arches and sometimes a canvas upper to aid in ventilation and drainage of moisture.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hiking boot</span> Sturdy footwear for outdoor activities

Hiking (walking) boots are footwear specifically designed for protecting the feet and ankles during outdoor walking activities such as hiking. They are one of the most important items of hiking gear since their quality and durability can determine a hiker's ability to walk long distances without injury. Hiking boots are constructed to provide comfort for walking considerable distances over rough terrain. Boots that protect the hiker's feet and heel are recommended. Hiking boots give ankle support and are fairly stiff. A less popular alternative is to use light trainers with thin soles. Footwear should be neither too loose nor too tight, to help prevent blisters and sore feet. Hiking socks that wick sweat from the feet, provide warmth, and cushion the feet are recommended and a thin, inner sock may also help. Most hiking boots are also designed for other outdoor activities such as backpacking, climbing, mountaineering, and hunting.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Australian work boot</span> Style of work boot

An Australian work boot is a style of work shoe, typically constructed with a leather upper bound together with elastic sides and pull tabs on the front and back of the boot. The shoe lacks a tongue, and laces, and often contains a steel toe cap for occupational health and safety reasons. When the shoe contains a steel cap they are often known as "safety boots" or "steel toe boots". The boots generally lack an inner lining. The sole is generally polyurethane and the leather uppers are treated to be resistant to hot water, fats and mild alkaline and acid solutions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Red Wing Shoes</span> American company

Red Wing Shoes is an American footwear company based in Red Wing, Minnesota that was founded by Charles H. Beckman in 1905.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chainsaw safety clothing</span> Personal protective equipment for operators of chainsaws

Safety practices generally recommend that chainsaw users wear protective clothing, also known as personal protective equipment or PPE, while operating chainsaws. There is general agreement worldwide on what clothing is suitable, but local jurisdictions have specific rules and recommendations.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Engineer boot</span> Leather work-boots

Engineer boots, also known as engineer's boots or engineering boots, are an American type of traditional leather work-boots. Their lace-less, rugged construction made them popular among motorcycle riders. Originally developed in the 1930s for firemen working on steam locomotives, the boots gained substantial popularity in the post–World War II era during a growing motorcycling culture. They became popular symbols of teenage rebellion in the 1950s and a common component of greaser wear. They were later adopted by skinheads and punks in the 1970s. By the 2010s, engineer boots were being popularly worn for fashion purposes, especially by non-traditional customers such as women, young urban professionals, and hipsters.

Double-H Boots manufactures western footwear. It is owned by H.H. Brown, a wholly owned subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shank (footwear)</span>

In a boot or shoe, the shank is a long, thin piece of material between the insole and outsole intended to support the foot and provide structure.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cut-resistant gloves</span> Type of personal protective equipment

Cut-resistant fabrics are those that can withstand slashing or cutting action. These textile products protect the wearer from accidents and occupational hazards. Metallic materials, Para aramid, high-modulus polyethylene materials and high density structure materials are used in the manufacturing of cut resistant textiles. Cut-resistant fabrics have various applications in mechanical protection for the wearer. They are used for protective wear in aprons and gloves for chefs, military use, the construction industry, forest use in trimming trees, etc

ISO 7010 is an International Organization for Standardization technical standard for graphical hazard symbols on hazard and safety signs, including those indicating emergency exits. It uses colours and principles set out in ISO 3864 for these symbols, and is intended to provide "safety information that relies as little as possible on the use of words to achieve understanding."

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Xena Workwear</span> Womens protective footwear company in Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Xena Workwear is a Milwaukee-based women's workwear company specialized in stylish women's steel toe shoes and apparel. The company creates fashionable personal protective equipment (PPE) for women.

References

  1. Masand, Dev (30 April 2024). "Steel Toe vs Composite Toe Boots | Which one is Better?". Safaripro.in. Retrieved 30 April 2024.
  2. "Work Boot Safety Toe Caps – Explained & Demystified". workwear.org. Luke Davis. Retrieved 27 February 2023.
  3. "The most comfortable work boots for construction sites". www.thesafetymag.com. Retrieved 2024-08-14.
  4. Deveroux, Jess (2023-07-05). "The Versatility and Convenience of Side Zip Work Boots". Medium. Retrieved 2024-08-14.
  5. "Klompen zijn veilig en krijgen keurmerk" (in Dutch). Retrieved 2023-09-09.
  6. Masand, Dev (2024-08-26). "EN ISO 20346:2021". www.safaripro.in. Retrieved 2024-08-26.
  7. "CSA Z195:14 (R2023) Protective footwear". CSA Group. July 2014. Retrieved March 26, 2024.
  8. Occupational foot protection. - 1910.136
  9. OSHA Standard Interpretations
  10. "New ASTM International Standards Supersede ANSI Z41 Protective Footwear Standards | www.astm.org". www.astm.org. Archived from the original on 2020-11-28. Retrieved 2020-04-14.
  11. "Josie Lou Ratley's Accused Assailant Denied Bail". CBS News. July 2, 2010.
  12. "Great Games: Chesterfield 2 Aston Villa 3". Birmingham Mail . March 14, 2012. Retrieved March 4, 2013.