In brief
Safety footwear classes come from the EN ISO 20345 standard. SB only provides toe protection resistant to a 200 joule impact; S1 adds a closed heel, antistatic properties and energy absorption in the heel; S2 adds a water-resistant upper, and S3 adds a penetration-resistant sole and a cleated outsole. With the 2022 revision, slip resistance became a basic requirement, the SR marking indicates an additional test, and fully waterproof models were named S6 and S7. The right class is chosen according to the floor, falling load, liquid and electrical conditions in the risk assessment.
Before reading the label: EN ISO 20345 and SB
Codes such as "EN ISO 20345:2022 S3 SR" on the tongue or sole of a safety shoe show which tests the product has passed. The difference between S1, S2 and S3 safety shoes starts with reading these codes. First you need to know which family of standards you are looking at:
| Standard | Type of footwear | Toe protection |
|---|---|---|
| EN ISO 20345 | Safety footwear | Resistant to a 200 joule impact and 15 kN compression |
| EN ISO 20346 | Protective footwear | 100 joule impact |
| EN ISO 20347 | Occupational footwear | No toe protection |
In industry, "safety shoes" usually means EN ISO 20345. The standard was revised in 2022; during the transition period you may see products marked according to the old and new editions side by side in warehouses.
In terms of legislation, safety footwear is personal protective equipment (PPE). The Regulation on the Use of Personal Protective Equipment in Workplaces requires PPE to be used only where risks cannot be prevented or sufficiently limited by collective protection measures, the employer to choose PPE according to the risk assessment, to provide employees free of charge with CE-marked products with Turkish-language user instructions, and to provide practical training in their use. For the general framework of the regulation see our article on the PPE use regulation.
The difference between S1, S2 and S3 safety shoes: the classes in one table
| Class | Features included | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| SB | 200 J toe protection and basic slip resistance | Risk of falling loads on dry, level floors |
| S1 | SB + closed heel, antistatic (A), heel energy absorption (E) | Dry indoor settings: assembly, warehousing, packing |
| S2 | S1 + upper resistant to water penetration and absorption (WPA) | Floors that get wet occasionally, cleaning, food |
| S3 | S2 + penetration-resistant sole (P, PL or PS) + cleated outsole | Construction sites, scrap and swarf yards, outdoor areas |
| S6 | S2 + fully waterproof footwear (WR) | Constantly wet settings |
| S7 | S3 + fully waterproof footwear (WR) | Rainy construction sites, wet outdoor sites |
Boots moulded entirely from rubber or polymer are marked S4 and S5; S5 also includes a penetration-resistant sole and a cleated outsole. A version of the S1 shoe with a penetration-resistant sole appears as "S1P"; it is preferred for dry, hot site work where water penetration of the upper is not important.
In the most frequently asked comparison, the practical difference is this: S1 is for dry indoor settings; S2 is resistant to getting wet; and S3 safety shoes additionally protect against penetrating objects from below such as nails, sheet metal pieces and scrap. S3 is not the best choice in every workplace; making people wear a heavier, less breathable shoe on a dry assembly line can lead to the shoe not being worn at all.
Steel toe shoes or composite?
The toe cap can be steel, aluminium or composite. The standard requires performance, not a material: every safety shoe marked EN ISO 20345 passes the same 200 joule impact and 15 kN compression test, whatever the toe cap material. The difference between steel toe shoes and composite toe shoes lies not in the level of protection but in the conditions of use:
| Subject | Steel toe | Composite toe |
|---|---|---|
| Protection level | 200 J | 200 J |
| Weight | Heavier | Lighter |
| Heat conduction | Conducts cold and heat | Conducts less |
| Metal detector | Triggers it | Usually does not trigger it |
There is a similar distinction for penetration-resistant soles: P denotes a metal midsole, while PL and PS denote non-metallic midsoles. PL is tested with a nail of 4.5 mm diameter and PS with a thinner 3 mm nail; this distinction matters on scrap and construction sites with thin, sharp objects.
Slip-resistant soles: what does the SR marking mean?
The real solution to slips and falls is the floor: cleaning up spilled oil immediately, non-slip coatings, good lighting. A slip-resistant sole is the last line of defence.
In the 2022 revision, the slip resistance test became a basic requirement for all safety footwear. Shoes are tested on a ceramic floor wetted with water containing detergent, and no separate marking is given for this basic test. The SR marking shows that the shoe has additionally been tested on a ceramic floor lubricated with glycerine; it is meaningful for oily and slippery floors. The SRA, SRB and SRC markings from the old edition were removed, but they can still be seen on older products on the market.
The fuel- and oil-resistant outsole (FO) was also removed from the basic requirements in 2022 and is now shown with a separate marking. For a CNC or press operator working on an oily floor, a label that only says "S3" is not enough; also look for the "FO" and "SR" markings. For floor-side measures see our article on preventing slips, trips and falls.
Antistatic safety shoes and electrical risk
All classes from S1 upwards are antistatic (A). The electrical resistance of an antistatic safety shoe is defined in the standard as between 100 kiloohms and 1,000 megaohms: low enough to discharge static electricity built up in the body to earth, and high enough to provide limited resistance against mains voltage.
Three concepts should not be confused:
- Antistatic (A): Reduces the build-up of static electricity. It is used to lower the risk of ignition by sparks in areas with solvent vapour or combustible dust; these areas must be defined in the explosion protection document.
- ESD footwear: Works in a lower resistance range to protect electronic boards and components from electrostatic discharge, and is marked according to a separate standard.
- Electrically insulating footwear: Designed to protect the employee during live work. Antistatic shoes are not used for this purpose.
The antistatic property can be impaired in wet conditions, by an insulating insole or by very thick socks. Make sure the insole used with shoes issued to employees working in explosive atmospheres is a product approved by the manufacturer.
Choosing shoes for the work setting
In Bursa's metal and automotive supply industry, oily floors stand out; in furniture workshops, sawdust and sharp pieces; in food plants, wet and cold floors; and on construction sites, nails and mud. The table below is a starting point:
| Work setting | Recommended class | Look for additional markings |
|---|---|---|
| Dry warehouse, light assembly, packing | S1 | — |
| Machining, presses, oily floors | S2 or S3 | SR, FO |
| Construction site, scaffolding, scrap yard | S3 | SR; PS if there are thin penetrating objects |
| Food production, cold rooms, wet floors | S2, S4 or S6 | SR, CI (cold insulation) |
| Foundry and hot floors | S3 | HRO (sole resistant to hot contact), HI (heat insulation) |
| Solvents, paint, combustible dust | Antistatic (S1 or above) | Manufacturer's information on suitability for explosive atmospheres |
| Rainy outdoor site | S7 | SR |
| Handling heavy parts | S3 | M (metatarsal protection) |
Make the choice not only from this table but from your workplace's risk assessment. Our article on how to choose PPE explains how to draw up a task-based PPE matrix; for gloves you can see our article on choosing work gloves. Our approach to metalworking plants is on our metal and machinery sector page.
Purchasing, issue and replacement
The cost of PPE cannot be passed on to employees (Art. 4/4 of Law No. 6331 on Occupational Health and Safety); the regulation also requires PPE to be provided free of charge by the employer and defective equipment not to be used until it is repaired. The 2026 basic administrative fine for not providing employees with suitable PPE is 8,980 TL per employee; no hazard class increase is applied to this per-employee fine. You can see the amounts in our OHS administrative fines tool.
Deriving PPE needs from the risk assessment and monitoring use on site is part of our OHS specialist service.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main difference between S1 and S3?
S1 is a safety shoe with a closed heel, antistatic properties and heel energy absorption; it has no water resistance and no penetration-resistant sole. S3 adds a water-resistant upper, a penetration-resistant sole and a cleated outsole. S1 is suitable for dry indoor settings, and S3 for areas with penetrating objects such as construction sites and scrap yards.
Are S3 safety shoes the best choice for every workplace?
No. S3 provides more protection but is heavier and less breathable. On a dry assembly line with no risk of penetrating objects or wetness, S1 is sufficient. The class should be chosen according to the real hazards in the risk assessment.
Are steel toe shoes or composite toe shoes safer?
Every safety shoe marked EN ISO 20345 passes the same 200 joule impact test regardless of toe cap material. A composite toe is lighter, conducts cold less and usually does not trigger metal detectors; a steel toe offers a thinner and more durable construction.
Do antistatic shoes protect against electric shock?
No. Antistatic shoes are designed to reduce static electricity build-up and do not provide protection during live work. For electrical work, electrically insulating footwear made for that purpose should be used and the other electrical safety rules applied.
A certified specialist matched to your hazard class: site inspections, approved logbook, training plan, annual plan and report follow-up.
Bursa SİSTEMER OSGB Technical Team — written from the field experience of our OHS specialists and workplace physicians. Legal information is valid as of the publication/update date; contact us for an assessment specific to your business.