For outdoor work and on damp construction sites, safety boots with high water resistance are often the right choice. (Photo: © Carhartt)
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Wrong shoes, real risk: Choosing the wrong safety shoes not only endangers yourself but also workplace safety. Our guide explains which protection class is right for which situation.
S3 for the construction site, S2 for the workshop, or is even S1 sufficient? Choosing the right protection class is crucial for workplace safety. Wearing unsuitable footwear not only increases the risk of accidents but can also violate occupational safety regulations. But which security class is right for which application?
"Safety shoes today have to do more than just provide protection," explains Lisa Meissner, Jr. PR & Communication Manager Carhartt EMEA/PAC. "Depending on the work environment, factors such as..." Weight, weather conditions, movement patterns, or wearing comfort a crucial role. That's why it's important to understand which safety shoe class covers which requirements." The classes range from highly demanding applications on construction sites to use for simple requirements.
The risk assessment determines the protection class!
Safety shoes are personal protective equipment (PPE)Whether and which safety shoes are required is determined by the risk assessment. The employer is obligated to provide suitable and appropriate footwear and to instruct employees on its use. The decisive factor is... DGUV Rules 112-191.
👉 Download: Use of foot and knee protection. DGUV Rule 112-191
The following risks, among others, are assessed:
• falling objects
• Risk of falling through
• Humidity
• Slippery surface
• Heat or cold
• Electrical risks.
Depending on the results, different protection classes are suitable: While S1 models are primarily designed for dry indoor areas, S2 shoes offer additional protection against moisture. In many trades and construction sites, however, protection class S3 is standard, as it includes toe protection, water repellency, and penetration resistance.
There is no general obligation to wear safety shoes. The decisive factor is always the risk assessment for the specific work environment. BG BAU points out accordingly that employees must use the personal protective equipment provided, "as long as a danger exists"Safety shoes are therefore an important component of effective occupational safety.
Safety shoes of protection class S1 are designed for dry indoor areas . They feature a toecap with 200 joules of impact resistance, a closed heel area, antistatic properties, and a cushioned heel. Depending on the standard version, an oil- and fuel-resistant sole is also included.
Typical areas of application include warehouses, production facilities, workshops, assembly halls, and logistics centers . However, S1 shoes are not suitable for wet working environments or areas with nails, screws, and other sharp objects on the floor. They offer solid basic protection wherever there are no increased requirements for moisture or penetration resistance.
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Safety shoes of protection class S1P offer all the features of an S1 shoe and additionally have a puncture-resistant midsole . This protects against injuries from nails, screws, metal shavings, or other sharp objects on the floor.
Typical areas of application include assembly work, drywall and interior construction, workshops, and storage areas with an increased risk of damage . However, S1P shoes are only suitable to a limited extent for permanently wet outdoor work environments.
The S2 protection class adds a water-repellent upper material to the properties of an S1 shoe . This makes these safety shoes suitable for workplaces where employees regularly come into contact with splashing water or short-term moisture .
Typical areas of application include the food industry, agriculture, service and maintenance work, and various trades. However, where there is an increased risk of penetration, a protection class with a corresponding midsole should be chosen.
👉 Use: when moisture is present, but penetration protection is not required.
S3 safety shoes are among the best-known shoe classes in professional work environments. They are designed for demanding outdoor areas where wetness, dirt, uneven surfaces, and mechanical stress are commonplace.
Models in this category feature Toe caps, penetration protection, antistatic properties, energy absorption in the heel area as well as water-repellent upper materials.
👉 Typical use: Classic construction site shoe for varying conditions.
Practical tip: Two safety shoes with the same protection class can differ significantly due to their additional markings. Therefore, employees should always consider the requirements of their specific workplace.
The choice of the appropriate protection class depends primarily on the Workplace hazardsFor dry indoor areas without risk of penetration, S1 is usually sufficient. If there is a risk from nails or screws on the floor, S1P or the current successor class S1PS is recommended.
In damp working environments without risk of penetration, S2 is the appropriate choice. Where moisture and penetration hazards coincide, such as on construction sites or in civil engineering, S3 or S3S is the suitable protection class.
The newer shoe class S3L is based on the current standard EN ISO 20345:2022 and extends classic S3 properties to include modernized requirements for penetration protection.
The new markings, based on the EN ISO 20345:2022 standard, also take modern textile protective soles into account. This allows manufacturers to offer lighter and more comfortable safety shoes without compromising the necessary protection. Important: When making new purchases, companies should ensure that old and new markings are not confused.
👉 Use: Ideal for long wearing times and high mobility.
Not every job requires a completely waterproof safety boot. For indoor areas, warehouse logistics, or dry working environments, the S1PS class is frequently used.
These models offer toe protection, antistatic properties, energy absorption in the heel area, and particularly finely tested penetration protection against small sharp objects – however without water-repellent finish.
👉 Typical use: Working without moisture and with a moderate risk of injury.
Besides classic safety shoes, there are also so-called work shoes without a toecap . Class O2 is designed for activities where comfort, grip, and weather resistance are paramount, but certified toe protection is not required.
Typical areas of application include, for example, light outdoor work, service areas or jobs with long walking distancesEspecially with shoes in this category, the lines between "on the job" and "off the job" are becoming increasingly blurred. Many employees want models that are not only functional during work but also comfortable to wear in everyday life.
👉 Important: Only permitted if there is no risk to the toes.
Additional markings: Which symbols are just as important as the protection class?
The protection class of a safety shoe (e.g., S1PS or S3) describes its basic protective properties. However, additional markings are crucial for many workplaces.
Overview of important additional markings
• SR: Increased slip resistance on ceramic tiles with glycerin.
• FO: The outsole is resistant to oil and fuels.
• WR: The shoe is permanently waterproof.
• HRO: The outsole can withstand contact heat of up to 300°C for short periods.
• HI: Protection from heat exposure to the foot.
• CI: Protection against the effects of cold.
• ESD: Dissipation of electrostatic charge, important, for example, in electronics manufacturing.
• LG: Especially suitable for working on ladders.
The current standard EN ISO 20345 introduced the new protection classes S6 and S7 . These supplement the previous classes S1 to S5 with higher requirements for water resistance . While S6 is based on the properties of S2 and must additionally be permanently waterproof, S7 combines the features of S3 with a waterproof shaft.
The new classes are particularly suitable for employees who regularly work outdoors or in permanently wet working environments – for example on construction sites, in civil engineering or in agriculture.
Slip resistance: Safety begins with a secure footing
Slips, trips, and falls are among the most common workplace accidents. Therefore, the slip resistance of safety shoes plays a crucial role. The current standard has replaced the previous marking. SRC through the power of SR replaced.
Good slip resistance is particularly important in areas with:
• Moisture, oil or grease residue
• smooth industrial floors
• frequent cleaning work.
Which shoe is best for tradespeople? For many trades, safety footwear classes S3 or S3L are now standard. While S3 is still considered a robust all-rounder for construction sites, S3L models are gaining in importance. They offer enhanced penetration protection against small, sharp objects and are often lighter and more flexible. This increases comfort during long workdays.
Numerous manufacturers offer safety shoes for a variety of trades. Among the best-known brands are Uvex , Atlas , Carhartt , Haix , Elten , Engelbert Strauss , Würth MODYF , Fristads , and Cofra . The selection ranges from particularly lightweight models for warehouse and assembly work to robust safety boots for construction, roofing, and scaffolding.
The decisive factors in choosing a product should not be the brand, but rather the appropriate protection class and the workplace risk assessment. For tradespeople, Atlas, Elten, Haix, Uvex, and Engelbert Strauss would be the most relevant brands to compare, as they are the most widely used in the German trades.
Even high-quality safety shoes lose their protective properties over time. They should be replaced if:
• damaged soles
• visible cracks in the upper material
• deformed toe cap
• loosened seams
• significantly reduced slip resistance.
Regular cleaning and maintenance extend the lifespan and preserve important protective properties. Important: Damaged safety shoes should no longer be worn, even if they appear usable on the outside.
Ergonomics: Why the most comfortable shoe is often also the safest
Safety shoes are often worn for eight hours or more per day. Therefore, ergonomics plays an important role.
When evaluating solutions, organisations should ensure that the system provides:
• suitable shoe width
• sufficient damping
• lightweight
• breathable materials
• High-quality footbed
• Compatible with orthotic insoles.
Poorly fitting safety shoes can lead to pressure points, fatigue, and long-term discomfort. Safety shoes should ideally be tried on in the afternoon, as feet tend to swell slightly throughout the day.
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