Basicssafety shoe ratings explained

Safety Shoe Ratings Explained: S1, S2, S3, SRC Guide

6 min readBasics

Quick Summary

EN ISO 20345 safety ratings indicate protection levels: SB (basic, 200J toe protection), S1 (SB + antistatic + energy absorption), S2 (S1 + water resistance), S3 (S2 + puncture resistance + SRC). SRC is the highest slip resistance rating.

Understanding EN ISO 20345 Ratings

The EN ISO 20345 standard classifies safety footwear into different categories based on their protective properties. Understanding these ratings helps you choose the right safety shoes for your specific work environment.

Safety Rating Breakdown

EN ISO 20345 Safety Classifications

RatingFeaturesBest For
SBBasic requirements only200J toe protection, antistatic
S1SB + closed heel + antistatic + energy absorptionBasic workshop, logistics
S2S1 + water-resistant upperWet environments, outdoor
S3S2 + puncture-resistant midsole + SRC soleHeavy industrial, construction

SRC Slip Resistance Explained

SRC is the highest slip resistance rating, combining SRA (ceramic tile with detergent) and SRB (steel with glycerol) tests. Safety shoes with SRC rating provide excellent grip on both wet and oily surfaces.

TIPFor construction sites and wet environments, always choose S3 rated safety shoes with SRC slip resistance.

Related Tags

safety ratingsEN ISO 20345S1 S2 S3SRC

Frequently Asked Questions

Q:What does S3 mean on safety shoes?

S3 is the highest standard EN ISO 20345 rating, including: (1) SB - 200J toe impact protection, (2) closed heel, (3) antistatic properties, (4) energy absorption, (5) water-resistant upper, (6) puncture-resistant midsole, (7) SRC slip-resistant outsole.

Q:What is the difference between S1 and S3?

S1 provides basic protection (toe cap, antistatic, energy absorption) suitable for dry indoor environments. S3 adds water resistance, puncture resistance, and SRC slip resistance for wet and hazardous outdoor environments.

Q:Do I need SRC rated safety shoes?

If you work in environments with wet, oily, or slippery surfaces (restaurants, food processing, construction, warehouses), SRC rated shoes are highly recommended. SRC combines both ceramic and steel surface slip resistance.