Buying a pair of work boots should be simple. However, with various safety boot rating codes, it can be very confusing. Here, we explain precisely what each code means.
Safety Boots are an essential part of your PPE when working on site – whether it be someone’s home, garden or on a construction site.
When it comes to work boots there is so much to choose from – and how do you know if what you are choosing is the right thing considering that many worksite requirements vary from site to site?
In Ireland the requirements of safety footwear are set out in the International standard EN ISO 20345:2022
All of the Helly Hansen workwear we stock at 4orm is compliant with this standard. Each type of shoe has a code to indicate the exact characteristics that help you decide what kind of shoe is right for you:
EN ISO 20345:2022 Safety Code Explanation
CLASS I Footwear made from leather and other materials
CLASS II All entirely moulded footwea
SBH HYBRID FOOTWEAR that cannot be classified as class I or ll
SB Safety toe cap protection only, tested with 200J impact and 15KN compression force
SBP Safety toe cap protection only, tested with 200J impact and 15KN compression force
Metal Penetration resistant outsole – value shall not pass less than 1100N with no separation of layers
SB, P
SBL Safety toe cap protection only, tested with 200J impact and 15KN compression force
Non Metal Penetration resistant outsole – value shall not pass less than 1100N with no separation of layers
SB, PL
BS Safety toe cap protection only, tested with 200J impact and 15KN compression force
Non Metal Penetration resistant outsole – Average penetration value shall not pass less than 1100N
SB, PS
S1 Class I – Footwear made from leather and other materials
Closed heel area,
Tested with 200J impact and 15KN compression force,
Anti-Static
Heel energy absorptio
SB, A, E
S1P Class I – Footwear made from leather and other materials
Closed heel area,
Tested with 200J impact and 15KN compression force,
Anti-Static
Heel energy absorption
Metal Penetration resistant outsole – value shall not pass less than 1100N with no separation of layers
SB, A, E, P
S1L Class I – Footwear made from leather and other materials
Closed heel area,
Tested with 200J impact and 15KN compression force,
Anti-Static
Heel energy absorption
Non Metal Penetration resistant outsole – value shall not pass less than 1100N with no separation of layers
SB, A, E, PL
S1S Class I – Footwear made from leather and other materials
Closed heel area,
Tested with 200J impact and 15KN compression force,
Anti-Static
Heel energy absorption
Non Metal Penetration resistant outsole – Average penetration value shall not pass less than 1100N
SB, A, E, PS
S1PS Class I – Footwear made from leather and other materials
Closed heel area,
Tested with 200J impact and 15KN compression force,
Anti-Static
Heel energy absorption
Non Metal Penetration resistant outsole – Average penetration value shall not pass less than 1100N
SB, A, E, PS
S2 Class I – Footwear made from leather and other materials
Closed heel area,
Tested with 200J impact and 15KN compression force,
Anti-Static,
Heel energy absorption,
Water penetration resistant upper
SB, A, E, WRU
S3 Class I – Footwear made from leather and other materials
Closed heel area,
Tested with 200J impact and 15KN compression force,
Anti-Static,
Heel energy absorption,
Water penetration resistant upper,
Metal Penetration resistant outsole – value shall not pass less than 1100N with no separation of layers
Cleated Outsole
SB, A, E, WRU, P
S3L Class I – Footwear made from leather and other materials
Closed heel area,
Tested with 200J impact and 15KN compression force,
Anti-Static,
Heel energy absorption,
Water penetration resistant upper
Non Metal Penetration resistant outsole – value shall not pass less than 1100N with no separation of layers
Cleated Outsole
SB, A, E, WRU, PL
S3S Class I – Footwear made from leather and other materials
Closed heel area,
Tested with 200J impact and 15KN compression force,
Anti-Static,
Heel energy absorption,
Water penetration resistant upper
Non Metal Penetration resistant outsole – Average penetration value shall not pass less than 1100N
Cleated Outsoles
SB, A, E, WRU, PS
S4 All rubber or all polymeric anti-static footwear.
Safety toe cap protection only, tested with 200J impact and 15KN compression force
Anti Static
Closed Heel Area
Heel energy absorption
SB, A, E
S5 All rubber or all polymeric anti-static footwear.
Safety toe cap protection only, tested with 200J impact and 15KN compression force
Anti Static
Closed Heel Area
Heel energy absorption
Cleated Outsoles
Metal Penetration resistant outsole – value shall not pass less than 1100N with no separation of layers
SB, A, E, P
S5L All rubber or all polymeric anti-static footwear.
Safety toe cap protection only, tested with 200J impact and 15KN compression force
Anti Static
Closed Heel Area
Heel energy absorption
Non Metal Penetration resistant outsole – value shall not pass less than 1100N with no separation of layers
Cleated Outsole
SB, A, E, PL
S5S All rubber or all polymeric anti-static footwear.
Safety toe cap protection only, tested with 200J impact and 15KN compression force
Anti Static
Closed Heel Area
Heel energy absorption
Non Metal Penetration resistant outsole – Average penetration value shall not pass less than 1100N
Cleated Outsoles
SB, A, E, PS
S6 Class I – Footwear made from leather and other materials
Closed heel area,
Tested with 200J impact and 15KN compression force,
Anti-Static,
Heel energy absorption,
Water penetration resistant upper
Water resistant
SB, A, E, WRU, WR
S7 Class I – Footwear made from leather and other materials
Closed heel area,
Tested with 200J impact and 15KN compression force,
Anti-Static,
Heel energy absorption,
Water penetration resistant upper,
Metal Penetration resistant outsole – value shall not pass less than 1100N with no separation of layers
Cleated Outsole
Water Resistant
SB, A, E, WRU, P, WR
S7L Class I – Footwear made from leather and other materials
Closed heel area,
Tested with 200J impact and 15KN compression force,
Anti-Static,
Heel energy absorption,
Water penetration resistant upper,
Non Metal Penetration resistant outsole – value shall not pass less than 1100N with no separation of layers
Cleated Outsole
Water Resistant
SB, A, E, WRU, P, WR, PL
S7S Class I – Footwear made from leather and other materials
Closed heel area,
Tested with 200J impact and 15KN compression force,
Anti-Static,
Heel energy absorption,
Water penetration resistant upper,
Non Metal Penetration resistant outsole – Average penetration value shall not pass less than 1100N
Cleated Outsole
Water Resistant
SB, A, E, WRU, P, WR, PS