Welding safety shoes are designed to protect workers from hazards such as hot metal, sparks, molten metal splashes, heat, impact and slipping. For welding and allied processes, ISO 20349-2:2017 specifies requirements and test methods for footwear designed to protect against these risks.
welding safety shoes
What Standard Applies to Welding Safety Shoes?
For welding and allied processes, ISO 20349-2:2017 is the key international standard for footwear protecting against welding-related risks. It specifies requirements and test methods for protective footwear used in welding and related processes. Compliant footwear also provides the applicable protection defined by ISO 20345.
ISO 20349-2 vs. ISO 20345: What’s the Difference?
ISO 20345 covers general requirements for safety footwear, while ISO 20349-2 addresses additional risks associated with welding and allied processes. Welding safety footwear therefore needs to consider both general protective footwear requirements and the specific hazards associated with welding, such as heat, flame and molten metal splashes.
U.S. Safety Footwear Standards for Welding
For the U.S. market, buyers should check the applicable ASTM requirements for protective footwear. ASTM F2413-24 is the current specification covering protective safety toe cap footwear, including requirements related to impact and compression resistance, electric shock resistance, puncture resistance and other protective properties. The appropriate performance requirements should be selected according to the hazards identified in the workplace.
Molten Metal Splash Protection in Welding Safety Shoes.
Welding operations can generate hot metal particles and molten metal splashes that may enter footwear and cause burns. Welding footwear should therefore be designed and tested for the applicable thermal and molten-metal hazards. ISO 20349-2 provides specific requirements for footwear used in welding and allied processes.
Heat and Flame Protection
Welding footwear should provide the applicable heat and flame protection required for the identified welding hazards. Buyers should verify the product’s test results and certification rather than relying only on material descriptions such as “heat resistant.”
Comfort and breathability
Although the main task of welding safety shoes is to protect the safety of workers, comfort is also very important. When standing or walking for a long time, the comfort of shoes directly affects the work efficiency of workers. Modern welding safety shoes usually use breathable materials and design ergonomic shoes to ensure that workers can wear them for a long time without feeling tired.
Regular inspection and replacement
The protective function of welding safety shoes will gradually decrease with the extension of use time. Therefore, it is necessary to regularly check the electrical performance, pressure resistance, heat resistance, etc. of the shoes. In addition, the degree of wear and tear of the upper, sole and toe also needs to be regularly evaluated. Once any damage or wear is found, it should be replaced in time to ensure the safety of workers.
The standards of welding safety shoes provide important safety guarantees for welding operations and ensure that workers are effectively protected in high-temperature and high-risk environments. By following international standards such as ISO, EN, and ANSI, welding safety shoes can meet actual needs in terms of heat resistance, fire resistance, pressure resistance, and electrical protection. Workers should regularly inspect and replace welding work boots to ensure that they are always in the best protective state and avoid safety hazards caused by shoe damage. The selection and maintenance of safety shoes is an important part of ensuring the safety of welding work.