Which safety class is right for you?

Have you started a new job in construction? Or are your work shoes worn out? Then you are probably looking for a new pair of work shoes. At Dr. Worker alone, you can choose from many different types and sizes. But what exactly is the difference between all those safety classes? In this blog, you will learn which shoes are suitable for your work and what the differences between the shoes are. That way, you will not be dragging your feet at work or getting too big for your boots! :)  

What are safety classes, and which ones are there?

Work shoes must be safe, comfortable, and functional. This allows you to perform well at work without putting yourself at risk or suffering injuries. There are an enormous number of types of work shoes on the market. You can divide them into different safety classes. Every work shoe belongs to a safety class, which indicates its level of protection. The shoe specifications are established according to European standards. Below, we have listed the most common classes for you.

SB: The “Safety Basic” shoes meet the basic requirements for work shoes. They have a protective toe cap that can withstand an impact of 200 joules. This is equivalent to 20 kilograms of force pressing on the toe of your shoe. 

S1: In addition to the basic requirements, these shoes have a closed heel, antistatic properties, and an energy-absorbing heel. They are not suitable for wet working conditions. These shoes are also available at Dr. Worker; view our collection of S1 work shoes here. 

S1P: This class was added for workplaces where sharp objects may be lying on the floor. The “P” stands for perforation and indicates the additional feature of a metal midsole. Within this class, there are also minor differences in diameter and materials used.

S2: In terms of protection, this shoe is exactly like the S1 class. The difference is that this shoe is water-repellent, with a waterproof upper that lasts up to 60 minutes. The upper part of the shoe is therefore made of water-repellent material; they are not completely waterproof.

S3: The S3 safety class is the most popular class. When you combine S1P and S2 and add an extra-strong sole, you get S3 shoes. The best of both worlds! View all our S3 shoes at Dr. Worker.nl.

S4: From these classes onward, only boots are sold. These boots are completely waterproof. They also have an energy-absorbing heel and extra toe protection.

S5: The S5 boots are very similar to the S4 boots but have an additional tread and midsole. This provides slightly more protection when walking on sharp objects.

At Dr. Worker, we currently sell shoes with S1 and S3 ratings. Below, you can read more about the specifications of these shoes. Are you missing a safety class in our webshop? Let us know!

S1: More than the basics

S1 work shoes offer a balance between comfort, durability, and safety. They are ideal for workplaces where you do not encounter much moisture or extreme conditions. This is what a shoe with the S1 class offers:

• Steel toe cap: The steel toe cap protects your toes from heavy impact. A while ago, we drove a car over our S1 shoes to test them. And all the toes are still intact! 
• Kevlar insole: The Kevlar insole provides comfort during daily use
• Sturdy outsole: The outsole is slip-resistant and penetration-resistant 
• Heat-resistant: The shoes are heat-resistant up to 100 degrees. Your feet won't get hot easily. 
• Water-repellent: Like S2 shoes, these shoes have a water-repellent upper. 

S3: Maximum protection on the work floor

Do you work in an environment where conditions are often harsh? Do you encounter sharp objects that you could step on or wet conditions? Then it's best to wear a pair with S3 certification. This is what a shoe with the S3 class offers:

• Genuine leather: The shoes are made of genuine leather
• Goodyear rubber outsole: This material is also used in F1 car tires. The sole is slip-resistant and impermeable. It would be quite a feat to wear it out quickly! 
• Water-repellent: The shoes are water-repellent, which is useful in most weather conditions and, for example, in catering work, so your feet won't get wet straight away!
• Heat-resistant: These shoes are also heat-resistant up to 100 degrees. 
• Are you often on your knees? Then our S3 shoe with a crawling toe may be just right for you!

Do you know which safety class you need for your job? At Dr. Worker, we sell many different models of both S1 and S3 shoes. Plenty of choice! Order your work shoes from Dr. Worker now and work in style!