Safety shoes

Safety shoes (Safety shoes in accordance with EN ISO 20345)

Definition:

Safety shoes is personal protective equipment (PPE) for the feet and is used to protect against mechanical, chemical, thermal and electrical hazards in the workplace.
They come standard with a toe cap which has an impact of at least 200 joules withstands, and other safety-relevant properties depend on the protection class.

Safety shoes are mandatory in many industrial, logistical and craft sectors, in particular when loading and unloading, in storage areas, workshops, production facilities and chemical plants.

Safety classes in accordance with EN ISO 20345

• S1: toe cap, antistatic, closed heel, energy absorption in the heel area
• S2: Like S1+ water repellent
• S3: Like S2 + puncture-resistant sole & profiled outsole
• S4: Like S1 but as a waterproof boot (polymer/rubber)
• S5: Like S4 + puncture-resistant & profiled outsole

Other protection features
Additional markings such as SRC (slip resistance), HRO (heat-resistant sole) or ESD (electrostatic discharge) are relevant for certain industries and logistics processes.

_{Sources/further links:
EN ISO 20345 — Safety requirements for safety shoes: releases}

_{DGUV — selection and use of foot protection: https://publikationen.dguv.de}

_{BAuA — PSA: Foot Protection Guidelines & Standards: https://www.baua.de}

Challenges when using safety shoes:

Ambiguity about the required protection class at the site
Drivers and service providers often do not know whether S1, S3 or special slip-resistant/ESD features are required, which can lead to denial of access or safety risks.
_{Sources/further links:
DGUV — PPE instruction & foot protection: https://publikationen.dguv.de}

Incorrect or missing use in critical areas
Unsuitable shoes (e.g. without puncture protection or slip resistance) increase the risk of accidents in ramps, refueling systems or hazardous material areas.
_{Sources/further links:
ECTA — Safety Guidelines for Chemical Logistics: Guidelines | ECTA - European Chemical Transport Association}

Loady solution:

Clear PSA requirements per location & activity
Loady shows which types of safety shoes are required (e.g. S1 vs. S3 or ESD requirement) before arrival. Drivers arrive prepared and avoid barriers to entry.

Visual & multilingual notes with QR instructions
PPE requirements are provided as symbols, texts and images — including mobile instructions for external drivers, subcontractors and service providers.