Safety Shoes and Work Shoes – Protection Classes at a Glance
Many people spend (almost) all their time on their feet in their jobs. KARLOWSKY® offers a wide range of comfortable and safe work and safety shoes for jobs in the catering industry, wellness, nursing and medical professions.
No matter what your requirements are, you are guaranteed to find what you are looking for at Karlwosky®. Slip-resistant soles, shoes with steel or aluminium toecaps, or antistatic soles - see our selection for yourself.
Please note the shoe class used. The classification of our shoes according to the ISO standard can always be found on the respective product.
Safety Shoes (EN ISO 20345:2011/2022)
Protection with toe cap – steel, aluminum, or plastic.
| Standard Category | Standard Year | Slip Resistance | Toe Cap | Puncture Resistant Sole | Closed Heel Area | Fuel Resistance | Antistatic | Energy Absorption in Heel Area | No Water Penetration (60 min) | Waterproof | Profiled Outsole | New / Changes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SB | 2011/2022 | ✔ | ✔ | – | Open heel area possible | ◯ | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| S1 | 2011/2022 | ✔ | ✔ | – | ✔ | ◯ | ✔ | ✔ | – | – | – | – |
| S1P | 2011/2022 | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ◯ | ✔ | ✔ | – | – | – | – |
| S2 | 2011/2022 | ✔ | ✔ | – | ✔ | ◯ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ◯ | – | – |
| S6 | 2022 | ✔ | ✔ | – | ✔ | ◯ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✱ |
| S3 | 2011/2022 | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ◯ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ◯ | – |
| S7* | 2022 | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ *(L/S) | ✔ | ◯ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✱ |
| S4 | 2011/2022 | ✔ | ✔ | – | Rubber or plastic shoe | ◯ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | – | – |
| S5 | 2011/2022 | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | Rubber or plastic shoe | ◯ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | – |
Work Shoes (EN ISO 20347:2012/2022)
Without toe cap.
| Standard Category | Standard Year | Slip Resistance | Toe Cap | Puncture Resistant Sole | Closed Heel Area | Fuel Resistance | Antistatic | Energy Absorption in Heel Area | No Water Penetration (60 min) | Waterproof | Profiled Outsole | New / Changes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| OB | 2012/2022 | ✔ | – | – | Open heel area possible | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| O1 | 2012/2022 | ✔ | – | – | ✔ | – | ✔ | ✔ | – | – | – | – |
| O2 | 2012/2022 | ✔ | – | – | ✔ | – | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ◯ | – | – |
| O6 | 2022 | ✔ | – | – | ✔ | – | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | – | ✱ |
| O4 | 2012/2022 | ✔ | – | – | Rubber or plastic shoe | – | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | – | – |
Legend & Changes since 2022
- ✔ must be fulfilled
- ◯ may be fulfilled
- – not possible / not required
- ✱ New / Changes since 2022 update
Overview
The previous standards EN ISO 20345:2011 (safety shoes) and EN ISO 20347:2012 (occupational footwear) were revised and replaced in March 2023 by the new versions EN ISO 20345:2022 and EN ISO 20347:2022. Work shoes that enter the market after this date must be certified according to the new standards.
New Protection Classes
With the introduction of the standard, the following new protection classes with permanent waterproofing have been added:
-
O6 (Occupational Footwear)
Like O2, but permanently waterproof thanks to a weather-protection membrane.
-
S6 (Safety Shoes)
Like S2, but permanently waterproof thanks to a weather-protection membrane.
-
S7 (Safety Shoes)
Like S3, but permanently waterproof thanks to a weather-protection membrane.
In addition, subtypes have been introduced to indicate the type of puncture protection (see below).
Puncture Protection
In EN ISO 20345:2022, the type of puncture protection is differentiated more precisely. For safety shoes, the suffix indicates the technology used:
- No suffix: steel midsole
- +L: textile puncture protection (basic requirements)
- +S: textile puncture protection (higher requirements)
For S1 shoes, puncture protection is optional and marked with P, since S1 (unlike S3, S5, and S7) does not include standard puncture protection.
Test procedure (textile): Basic requirement: Ø 4.5 mm nail, 1,100 N force. Higher requirement: Ø 3.0 mm nail, average of four tests <= 1,100 N.
Waterproofing (WR)
O6, S6, and S7 define shoes with a weather-protection membrane that are permanently waterproof. Apart from water resistance, the protective properties are: O6 ≈ O2, S6 ≈ S2, and S7 ≈ S3.
Fuel Resistance (FO)
In EN ISO 20345:2022, testing fuel resistance is optional. Many models remain fuel resistant (FO) and are marked accordingly.
Slip Resistance (SR)
Basic slip resistance on ceramic tiles with cleaning agents is now mandatory and is no longer listed separately (previously SRA). In addition, optional testing can be carried out on ceramic tiles with glycerin. If passed, the highest slip resistance is indicated with SR.
FAQ
Can I continue using my current occupational and safety shoes?
Yes. Shoes certified under EN ISO 20347:2012 or 20345:2011 remain valid until their respective certificates expire. After that, recertification follows the current standards.
I need waterproof safety shoes with puncture protection – which class should I choose?
Shoes in class S7 are permanently waterproof and available with puncture protection (steel: S7; textile: S7S/S7L). Alternatively, some S3 models can also be waterproof thanks to membranes.
Does the comfort change with the switch to the new standard?
No. The testing does not affect fit or weight, but ensures compliance with protective properties.