Welding is a high-temperature, high-risk job, and workers face multiple dangers such as sparks, thermal radiation, and electric shock. In such an environment, welding safety shoes, as one of the protective equipment, play a vital role. In order to ensure the protective performance of welding safety shoes, there are a series of international standards to regulate them. These standards not only cover the basic requirements of shoes, but also take into account the special needs in the welding environment. This article will introduce the relevant standards and protective functions of welding safety shoes in detail to help practitioners choose suitable protective shoes.
ISO 20345: Basic requirements for safety shoes
The ISO 20345 standard developed by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) is the basic standard for safety shoes and is applicable to all working environments that need to protect the feet from physical, chemical or electrical damage. According to this standard, welding safety shoes must have the following characteristics:
Compression resistance: The toe part must be able to withstand an impact force of at least 200 joules, and usually uses a steel toe or a composite material to increase protection.
Slip resistance: The sole must have good slip resistance, especially in slippery or greasy environments.
Wear resistance: The upper and bottom materials need to have good wear resistance and be suitable for long-term high-intensity working environments.
EN 20345: European Standard
The European standard for welding safety boots is regulated by EN 20345, which is similar to ISO 20345, but pays more attention to protection details. In welding operations, welding safety shoes should meet the requirements of EN 20345 for different environmental conditions, especially for protection against high temperatures, sparks and electrical hazards. Standard requirements:
Heat protection: The upper must be able to withstand the high temperature and sparks generated during welding to prevent sparks from burning through the upper.
Electrical insulation: In certain electrical environments, the insulation performance of welding safety shoes is crucial to ensure that workers will not be electrocuted by contact with charged objects.
ANSI Z41: American Standard
In the United States, ANSI Z41 is the main standard for safety shoes, which specifies the impact resistance, pressure resistance, heat resistance, wear resistance and electric shock protection of shoes. According to the standard, welding safety shoes need to meet some additional requirements:
High temperature resistance: especially high temperature resistant outsole materials, which can effectively prevent the sole from melting or cracking in high temperature environments.
Puncture resistance: The sole is required to be equipped with puncture resistance to prevent sharp objects from penetrating the sole and injuring the worker’s feet.
Fire and heat resistance test
Sparks and high temperatures are inevitable in welding operations, so welding safety shoes must pass fire and heat resistance tests. Usually, the upper material needs to be tested for fire resistance to ensure that it can withstand the sparks and high temperatures generated during welding operations to prevent the shoes from being burned or catching fire.
Oil resistance and anti-slip properties of the sole
The soles of welding safety shoes usually need to be oil resistant and anti-slip, especially in environments where oil pollution, chemical leaks, etc. may cause slips. Anti-slip soles can effectively reduce the risk of workers slipping. In addition, the design of the sole also needs to consider puncture resistance, especially in working environments with sharp objects.
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.