January 2024

Workwear Choices
RUNNING INTO PROBLEMS WITH
SAFETY FOOTWEAR
Tests show there is a considerable quantity of safety footwear on the UK market that does
not perform as advertised. BSIF CEO Alan Murray discusses the dangers of this
widespread issue, and explains how PPE buyers can make safer choices.
Quality safety footwear is vital for workers
across a range of industries. As the
Health & Safety Executive observes, the
feet and legs are prone to a range of hazards
including temperature, electrostatic build-up,
slipping, cuts, falling objects, heavy loads, metal
and chemical splash, and being crushed or
struck by a vehicle.
If a workplace risk assessment determines that
PPE is required, the law stipulates that it must be
adequate for the hazard and suitable for the
wearer, the task and the environment.
Workers might require footwear that
is anti-static, electrically
conductive, or resistant to
penetration. It may need to
prevent slips or protect against
extreme hot or cold.
With the potential severity of many
of these hazards in mind, it is alarming
that a significant proportion of the safety
footwear on the UK market currently fails to
perform as advertised.
British Safety Industry Federation (BSIF) testing
has found that an incredible 88% of products
that it tested from suppliers not signed up to our
Registered Safety Supplier Scheme (RSSS)
showed failures against product claims and/or
documentation. Only five of footwear products
tested between December 2021 and December
2022 were found to be fully compliant.
UK requirements
Manufacturers, importers, distributors, internet
sellers and agents involved in the supply of PPE
Left: BSIF CEO Alan Murray
“Any products that claim to have a
protective midsole should be able to
prevent a nail going through the base of
the footwear at a force of 1100 Newtons”
have clear legal responsibilities and obligations in
the UK. Safety footwear used at work must
comply with Regulation (EU) 2016/425 and follow
the relevant approval procedures to qualify for a
UKCA or CE mark.
The regulation states that safety footwear must
meet the standards specified by BS EN ISO
20345. This standard identifies the basic and
optional requirements for general purpose safety
footwear including slip resistance, mechanical
and thermal risks, and ergonomic behaviour.
Footwear might also need to conform to other
relevant standards such as BS EN ISO 20347:
Personal Protective Equipment - Occupational
Footwear or BS EN ISO 20349-1: Personal
Protective Equipment. Footwear Protecting
Against Risks in Foundries and Welding - Part 1.
Safety shoes designed to protect against anything
more than minor injury are classified as Category
II or III. These products must undergo a typeexamination
by an accredited testing body to
ensure they meet their ‘Essential Health and
Safety Requirement’ (EHSR). Category III
products, which protect against permanent
damage and death, additionally require ongoing
independent quality assurance through either
Module C2 Product Verification or Module D
Product Quality Assurance.
Manufacturers are obliged to provide the
Declaration of Conformity along with user
46 TC JANUARY 2024