TOOLBOX TALK Delivered by:

Personal Protective Equipment

(PPE - Footwear)
Reason Why:
PPE is equipment that, if used correctly, will afford the individual some level of protection against
a specified health and safety hazard in the workplace.
Workplace hazards should generally be controlled by all other means wherever possible such as
collective or engineering measures, with the use of PPE only as a last resort, extra precaution or
because it is the only option available (for example due to mobile nature of works etc.)
 In construction, common PPE can include items such as safety helmets, gloves, eye protection,
high-visibility clothing, safety footwear, cold weather clothing and safety harnesses. It also
includes respiratory protective equipment (RPE).
 In manufacturing and production, common PPE can include items such as safety gloves, eye
protection, safety footwear, overalls and heat proof or cold proof clothing. It also includes
respiratory protective equipment (RPE).
Detail

Introduction:
Choosing slip-resistant footwear from the whole host of products on the market can be difficult.
Sole descriptions are varied, from 'improving the grip performance' to 'excellent multi-directional
slip-resistance'. Often, footwear is just described as 'slip-resistant' and the brochure does not
describe the conditions for which the footwear is most suitable.

Footwear selection has to take account of a number of factors in addition to slip resistance, such
as comfort, durability and any other safety features required, such as toe protection. The final
choice may have to be a compromise.

Top tips:

 Accidents are expensive – there are many hidden and uninsured costs. With footwear,
like any product, you tend to get what you pay for. Ensure you buy footwear which will
do the job – this will not necessarily be the cheapest. But it may be more comfortable or
attractive – ensuring that staff wear it, and it may last longer.

 Specify the main surfaces and contaminants which cause slip risks in your workplace, and
seek your supplier's advice on suitable footwear.

 Some generally slip-resistant footwear may not be suitable in specific demanding

conditions. For example, footwear that performs well in the wet might not be suitable on
oily surfaces or where there are sticky food spillages which clog up the cleats.

 You can commission additional slip testing through the supplier – eg on surfaces/
contaminants representative of your workplace.

 Consider asking your supplier to provide trial pairs to help you make the right choice, and
do not select footwear on the basis of brochure descriptions or laboratory test results
alone.

 Footwear trials should involve a representative sample of the workforce and last long
enough to produce meaningful results. Remember - workers may not wear footwear if it
is uncomfortable or impractical, no matter how effective it is.
 Key points on soles and walking surfaces:

 The sole tread pattern and sole compound are both important for slip resistance.
Generally a softer sole and close-packed tread pattern work well with fluid contaminants
and indoor environments. A more open pattern works better outdoors or with solid
contaminants. The only sure way to tell is to trial footwear in your environment.

 Tread patterns should not become clogged with any waste or debris on the floor – soles
should be cleaned regularly. If soles do clog up then look for an alternative design of sole,
eg with a wider space between the cleats and a deeper tread pattern.

 Slip resistance properties can change with wear; for example, some soles can deteriorate
with wear, especially when the cleats become worn down.

 Have a system for checking and replacing footwear before it becomes worn and
dangerous.

 The correct choice of footwear on wet or contaminated profiled steel or aluminium

surfaces, eg chequer plate, is important. With some footwear the surface profiles do not
provide the improvement in slip resistance that might be expected.

 'Oil-resistant' does not mean 'slip-resistant' – the former is just a statement that the
soles will not be damaged by oil.

Testing for slip resistance:

Check with your supplier whether the footwear you are interested in has actually been tested for
slip resistance – older models might not have been. Where footwear has been tested, coefficient
of friction (CoF) test values must be available. CoF data can be requested from the supplier. Some
suppliers now publish it in their catalogues. The higher the CoF, the better the slip resistance.
Look for CoF results higher than the minimum requirements set out in annex A of EN ISO
20345/6/7: 2004 (A1:2007) - the standards for safety, protective and occupational footwear.

The safety features of footwear, including slip resistance, are tested according to a set of
European test standards written into EN ISO 20344:2004 (A1: 2007). Footwear which has passed
the EN test for slip resistance will be marked with one of the following codes, SRA, SRB or SRC.

The codes indicate that the footwear has met the specified requirements when tested as follows:

 SRA – tested on ceramic tile wetted with dilute soap solution;

 SRB – tested on smooth steel with glycerol;
 SRC – tested under both the above conditions.

It should be noted that these test surfaces are not wholly representative of all underfoot
surfaces, so additional information may be needed to help to identify the best slip-resistant
shoes for your particular environment.

The Health and Safety Laboratory (HSL) carries out research on footwear testing for HSE, and
they have developed an in-house test which they have used for testing many footwear types.
See:

 RR801 - A study of the effect of modifying the European Standard mechanical slip
 resistance test for footwear

Key role of manufacturers and suppliers:

For many employers slip-resistant footwear plays an important role. Employers may have put in
several control measures to reduce the risk of slips, but if a slip risk still remains, introducing
footwear with slip-resistant properties may be the only effective way they can further reduce the
risk of slips. For them, making the right choice of footwear for their employees and the work
environment is vital if slips are to be reduced.

As a manufacturer or supplier you have a key role in ensuring that suitable products are available
and that procurers have the information to enable them to make the right choices.

It is essential that procurers can be sure that the chosen footwear type will live up to the product
description. Furthermore, you have a legal duty to provide accurate descriptions of your
products. An HSE study in 2008 showed that in many cases suppliers provided limited
information on slip resistance, which made it difficult for procurers to select the right footwear.

Slip resistance test methods:

The safety features of footwear, including slip resistance, are tested according to a set of
European test standards written into EN ISO 20344:2004 (A1:2007). The performance
specifications are given in an associated set of personal protective equipment (PPE) standards,
namely:

 EN ISO 20345:2004 (A1:2007) for safety footwear

 EN ISO 20346:2004 (A1:2007) for protective footwear
 EN ISO 20347:2004 (A1:2007) for occupational footwear

The manufacturer has to prove slip resistance performance through testing. This is normally done
using European standard BS EN ISO 13287:2007 - Personal protective equipment – Footwear –
Test method for slip resistance. (Standards are available from BSI)

The test surfaces are not wholly representative of all underfoot conditions so you may wish to
consider having additional testing done to identify the best slip-resistant shoes for your particular
environment.

Information to be provided:

Depending on the test conditions chosen, footwear tested according to the EN standards is now
marked with one of the following codes, SRA, SRB, SRC.

The codes indicate that the footwear has met the specified requirements when tested as follows:

 SRA – tested on ceramic tile wetted with dilute soap solution

 SRB – tested on smooth steel with glycerol
 SRC – tested under both the above conditions

Footwear products once tested and certified are stamped with the CE mark. The manufacturer
also provides user information indicating the applications for which the footwear is suitable.

The test house will provide you, the supplier, with coefficient of friction (CoF) test values for the
footwear. You must include this data in the technical file associated with the footwear, and
 procurers can request the CoF values from you. Some suppliers now include CoF data in their
catalogues.

What can you do:

 There are no exemptions from wearing PPE – even for those jobs that ‘only take a few
minutes'
 Always observe PPE signage
 Always use ALL of the PPE you have been instructed to use – if anything is uncomfortable
or multiple items do not work or fit together, you must advise your employer immediately.
 Always use the PPE you have been instructed to use by your employer
 Always read your risk assessment for your task and ensure that you use the PPE specified
in the risk assessment.
 If your PPE item is lost or damaged, ask your employer for a replacement immediately and
before carrying out any works.
 You can only replace a PPE item yourself if you have been told what the exact grade and
specification of the item is. If you do decide to provide your own PPE, you must ensure it
matched the exact grade and specification that your employer has assessed is required.
 It is your responsibility to look after your PPE as per your training. It must be properly
looked after and stored when not in use, eg in a dry, clean cupboard. If it is reusable it
must be cleaned and kept in good condition.
 Report any problems or faults with your PPE immediately
 PPE may also include RPE – Respiratory Personal Equipment and you should ensure that
you are fully trained in the use of the specific RPE you have been provided with.
Confirmation:
1. List couple of samples of key points on soles and walking surfaces?
2. List couple samples of Top tips as recommended by the HSE?
3. What are the three codes the indicate that the footwear has met the specified
requirements when tested?

Toolbox talk prepared on 8 March 2023

Location: Date:

For further on site assistance contact THSP on 03456 122 144 and ask to speak to an account
executive who can arrange for one of our qualified consultants to visit your workplace.