SAFETY FOOTWEAR

Use.
Safety footwear is to de used if the work can’t be done in a safely order with normal appropriate footwear. The employer must pay the costs of procurement, maintenance and cleaning of the safety footwear, which is the property of the employer. There is although a possibility to split the costs between employer and union if an agreement about procurement, maintenance and cleaning of the safety footwear is made.

The employer has to make sure
- that the safety footwear is fit, that it does not causes unnecessary nuisances, and that it is used during work
- to instruct the employees in the use and inform about the danger of not using safety the footwear.
- That the instruction includes ordinary maintenance and cleaning of the safety footwear.
- That polluted safety footwear is cleaned. The employee must use safety footwear, where it is required.
Source: At-announcement nr. 4.09.6. April 1998. Replaces: June 1991.

How does one read and understand labelling of safety footwear

Safety footwear is typically made after the European standards EN 345 about safety footwear with 200 J toe nose, class S and EN 347 about work footwear without toe nose, class O. These standards contain regulations on labelling of the footwear as well.

Safety footwear is divided into 2 classes:

Class I: Footwear made of leather or similar materials
Class II: Footwear made of rubber or polyurethane

In EN 345 about safety footwear the following labelling symbols are used: How does one read and understand labelling of safety footwear.

S1 Covers SB-A-E
S1P Covers SB-A-E-P
S2 Covers SB-A-E-WRU
S3 Covers SB-A-E-WRU-P
S4 SB-A-E
S5 SB-A-E-P
 
SB Protection against falling objects 200J and protection against compressing 15.000 N.
A Antistatic. Resistant between 0,1 and 1.000 MΩ.
E Shock absorption in the heel 20 J. WRU Water repellent materials.
P Penetration resistance in the sole: 1.100 N. (nail protection)
HRO Protection against heat 300ºC.
C Electric resistance. Maximum resistance ability 100 KW.
CI Insulating against cold.
HI Insulating against heat.
ORO Breatheable hide.

Do you take care of your feet?
Are you giving your feet as much attention as you give the rest of your body like your hair or face? Maybe you should give them an extra look because they deserve it. The feet are often in the shoes for an entire day of work in different situations that require a lot of the function of the footwear; both when you walk, stand and run. When it comes to health and well-being, start with your feet. 
 

The Danish Working Envireonment Authority on the use of safety footwear:
Safety footwear is to be used, if the work cannot be organized and carried out securely with the use of ordinary and suitable footwear. The employer must pay expenses for procurement, maintenance and cleaning of the footwear, which is the employer’s property. There is a possibility that an agreement between employer and the employee’s union can be made to split the expenses for procurement, maintenance and cleaning of the safety footwear.