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Reading the classification letters
Every EN ISO 20345 certified safety shoe starts from the same baseline, a toe cap rated to withstand a 200 joule impact and 15 kilonewton compression, roughly the equivalent of a 20 kilogram weight dropped from a meter, or a mass of about 1.5 tonnes resting on the toe area. What changes between classes is everything built on top of that baseline.
SB is the basic level, toe protection only. S1 adds a closed heel area, antistatic properties, and heel energy absorption, suited to dry indoor environments. S1P adds a puncture resistant midsole. S2 adds water resistant upper material on top of S1 features. S3 combines puncture resistance and water resistant uppers with a cleated outsole, making it the most common class specified for construction and general outdoor industrial work. S5 is fully waterproof rubber or polymer construction for wet or submerged conditions.
Slip resistance markings matter separately
SR indicates the shoe has passed a slip test on ceramic tile with a soap solution, replacing the older SRA, SRB and SRC system in the newer 2022 revision of the standard, though many shoes on the market still carry the earlier markings. For workshops with oily floors, oil and fuel resistance, marked FO, matters as much as the slip rating itself.
Choosing the right class for the environment
Indoor workshop with dry floors and general handling suits S1 or S1P. Outdoor construction, yard work, or general rig site movement suits S3 for the combination of puncture resistance, water resistance and grip. Areas with standing water, wash down procedures, or wet processing suit S5.
Fit and comfort affect compliance as much as rating does
A correctly rated shoe that does not fit well gets worn less consistently, particularly across a full shift. Toe cap material, steel, aluminum or composite, affects both weight and, for composite, whether the shoe can be worn through security screening that flags metal.
Common selection mistakes
- Buying S1 rated shoes for outdoor construction work where puncture and water resistance are actually needed
- Assuming any steel toe shoe qualifies as EN ISO 20345 certified without checking the actual marking
- Overlooking oil resistance, marked FO, for workshop environments with frequent oil or fuel exposure
- Prioritizing rating over fit, leading to shoes that are technically compliant but inconsistently worn
Relevant BPS product. BPS supplies EN ISO 20345 certified steel toe safety shoes suited to rig, construction and general workshop environments across the Saudi Arabia and GCC market.
What to send with your RFQ. Primary work environment, indoor, outdoor construction, or wet processing, whether oil or fuel exposure is common, sizing requirements, and required quantity.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the S3 rating on safety shoes mean?
S3 combines a steel or composite toe cap, puncture resistant midsole, water resistant upper material, and a cleated outsole. It is the most commonly specified class for construction and general outdoor industrial work.
Are steel toe and composite toe shoes rated the same way?
Both can meet the same EN ISO 20345 impact and compression requirements. The difference is material weight and, for composite, that it does not trigger metal detectors, which matters for some site security procedures.
Do I need oil resistant safety shoes for rig work?
If the work environment involves regular oil, fuel or hydrocarbon exposure, look for the FO marking specifically, which confirms the outsole has been tested for resistance to those substances rather than assuming any rubber sole handles it equally well.
Source referenced in this guide: uvex safety, Guide to EN ISO 20345:2022
Need help identifying the correct part?
Send the equipment make and model, existing part number, required quantity and available photos or technical documents.
Related Guides
- Cut Resistant Gloves Selection Guide
- What Technical Documents Should You Request With Industrial Parts (coming soon, links to blog)
Editorial note. EN ISO 20345 classification details checked against uvex and multiple independent PPE standards sources, safe to publish. This page is rewritten in place at the existing safety shoes URL, no redirect needed.