Safety Ratings Guide

IRONSTEP SAFETY FOOTWEAR GUIDE

Safety Ratings Explained

Choosing the right safety footwear is important. All-day comfort matters, but your safety is paramount. It is not just about toe protection — there are many additional levels of protection to consider.

Underfoot protection, anti-static properties, water resistance and slip resistance should all be considered depending on your job role — whether that is warehousing, electrical work, driving, hospitality or heavy construction.

Our safety footwear is manufactured in accordance with CE EN ISO 20345:2022 standards. The ratings below are a guide only. A workplace risk assessment should always be carried out to determine the correct protection required.

🦺 Toe Protection 200 joule protective toe cap ratings.
🛡️ Midsole Protection Steel or non-metal penetration resistance.
💧 Water Protection Water-resistant uppers or whole-footwear protection.
⚡ Anti-Static / ESD Protection for electrical and static-sensitive environments.

Safety Ratings — CE EN ISO 20345:2022

Rating Protection Included
SB Basic safety protection. 200 joule toe cap.
SBP Basic safety protection. 200 joule toe cap. Steel penetration resistant midsole.
SBL Basic safety protection. 200 joule toe cap. Non-metal insert type PL.
SBS Basic safety protection. 200 joule toe cap. Non-metal insert type PS.
S1 200 joule toe cap. Closed seat region. Anti-static. Energy absorption of seat region.
S1P 200 joule toe cap. Closed seat region. Anti-static. Energy absorption. Steel penetration resistant midsole.
S1L 200 joule toe cap. Closed seat region. Anti-static. Energy absorption. Non-metal insert type PL.
S1S 200 joule toe cap. Closed seat region. Anti-static. Energy absorption. Non-metal insert type PS.
S2 200 joule toe cap. Closed seat region. Anti-static. Energy absorption. Water penetration and absorption.
S3 200 joule toe cap. Closed seat region. Anti-static. Energy absorption. Steel penetration resistance. Water absorption.
S3L 200 joule toe cap. Closed seat region. Anti-static. Energy absorption. Non-metal insert type PL.
S3S 200 joule toe cap. Closed seat region. Anti-static. Energy absorption. Non-metal insert type PS.
S4 200 joule toe cap. All rubber or all polymeric anti-static footwear. Energy absorption.
S5 200 joule toe cap. All rubber or all polymeric anti-static footwear. Energy absorption. Steel penetration resistant midsole. Cleated outsole.
S5L 200 joule toe cap. All rubber or all polymeric anti-static footwear. Energy absorption. Non-metal insert type PL. Cleated outsole.
S5S 200 joule toe cap. All rubber or all polymeric anti-static footwear. Energy absorption. Non-metal insert type PS. Cleated outsole.
S6 200 joule toe cap. Closed seat region. Anti-static. Energy absorption. Water resistance of whole footwear.
S7 200 joule toe cap. Closed seat region. Anti-static. Energy absorption. Steel penetration resistance. Water resistance of whole footwear.
S7L 200 joule toe cap. Closed seat region. Anti-static. Energy absorption. Non-metal insert type PL. Water resistance of whole footwear.
S7S 200 joule toe cap. Closed seat region. Anti-static. Energy absorption. Non-metal insert type PS. Water resistance of whole footwear.

Additional Safety Category Ratings

Code Description
A Anti-static
AN Ankle protection
C Partially conductive footwear
CI Cold insulation
CR Cut resistant upper
E Heel energy absorption
ESD Electro-static dissipative footwear
FO Resistant to fuel oil
HI Heat insulation of outsole complex
HRO Heat resistant outsole to 300°C
LG Ladder grip
M Metatarsal protection
P Penetration resistant midsole
PL Non-metal insert type — 4.5mm diameter nail
PS Non-metal insert type — 3.0mm diameter nail
SC Scuff cap abrasion protection
WR Water resistant
WPA Water penetration and absorption
WRU Water penetration resistant upper

Slip Resistance Ratings

Rating Description
SR Slip resistance tested on ceramic floor tile with glycerine.
SRA Tested on clay tiles with sodium lauryl sulphate solution. Meets a minimum Coefficient of Friction of 0.32 flat and 0.28 at the heel. CE EN ISO 20345:2011.
SRB Tested on stainless steel with glycerol solution. Meets a minimum Coefficient of Friction of 0.18 flat and 0.13 at the heel. CE EN ISO 20345:2011.
SRC Indicates both SRA and SRB are met — historically the highest slip resistance rating under CE EN ISO 20345:2011.
Important: Safety footwear ratings vary by product. Always check the rating marked on the footwear and product page before purchase. A workplace risk assessment should be carried out to confirm the correct level of protection required.