Halkskyddsklassificeringar för skyddsskor
I takt med att säkerhetsstandarderna utvecklas är det viktigt att förstå vad de innebär för de produkter vi använder. Vi pratade med Ejendals compliance expert, Sandra Dahlström, om de senaste uppdateringarna av halkskyddsstandarden i förordningen EN ISO 20345:2022. Här ger hon en inblick i vad dessa förändringar innebär för arbetare som söker ett tillförlitligt skydd för olika ytor.
Viktiga uppdateringar i den nya standarden EN ISO 20345:2022
Sandra börjar med att förklara att nya EN ISO 20345:2022 gör det lättare att förstå hur skyddsskor fungerar under olika förhållanden, särskilt när det gäller halkmotstånd och spiktrampskydd.
Spiktrampskydd
Standarden specificerar tre typer av märkningar som skiljer mellan stål och metallfria alternativ:
P: Spiktrampskydd i stål med en testspik på 4,5 mm i diameter.
PL: Metallfritt spiktrampskydd, också testat med en 4,5 mm spik.
PS: Metallfritt spiktramskydd testat med en tunnare spik (3 mm i diameter).
Grepp på stege
Detta är ett icke-obligatoriskt test, vilket ger viss flexibilitet beroende på skons avsedda användning.
Halkmotstånd:
Finns det verkligen en ”bästa” klassificering?
En av de viktigaste insikterna som Sandra delade med sig av var att det inte finns någon ”bästa” halkskyddsklassificering. ”Ur ett standardperspektiv var dessa klassificeringar aldrig avsedda att skapa en hierarki av bra, bättre och bäst”, förklarar Sandra. I stället beror valet av klassificering mycket på arbetsplatsens specifika förhållanden.
Tidigare klassificerade standarden EN ISO 20345:2011 halkskydd i tre kategorier:
SRA: Testad på klinkergolv med tvållösning.
SRB: Testad på stålgolv med glycerin.
SRC: Uppfyllde kraven för både SRA och SRB.
Sandra Dahlström
Product Compliance Manager at Ejendals
Discover More about EN ISO 20345:2022
Want to know what else is new in the EN ISO 20345:2022 standard? Find out here.
Under this older standard, SRC might seem like the “best” option, but as Sandra points out, it’s more complex than that.
“An outsole that excels in SRA conditions might not be as effective in SRB conditions, and vice versa. To meet both requirements, some compromises might be made in the design, so SRC approval doesn’t necessarily mean the highest slip resistance in every environment.”
What’s New in EN ISO 20345:2022?
The new 2022 standard has eliminated the SRA, SRB, and SRC classifications to avoid confusion. Instead, slip resistance testing is now a basic requirement, meaning all safety footwear must be tested on ceramic floors with soap solutions without needing a specific marking. However, there is an optional SR test, indicating that the footwear has been tested on a ceramic floor with glycerin, suited for more oily surfaces.
- Mandatory Test (no marking) - Conducted on ceramic floors with soap solution.
- Optional SR Test - Conducted on ceramic floors with glycerin, designed to evaluate the footwear’s performance on oily surfaces.
By incorporating slip resistance as a baseline requirement, the updated standard emphasizes that all certified safety shoes meet a minimum threshold without labeling, making the selection process more straightforward.
Real-World Application: Testing Beyond the Laboratory
Sandra emphasized that while lab-tested slip resistance ratings are helpful, they don’t account for the diverse and unpredictable conditions workers may encounter. “No set of laboratory tests can fully model the wide range of real-life walking surfaces,” she noted. This is why Sandra recommends conducting footwear field trials in the actual workplace environment to assess performance accurately.
A slip-resistant outsole reduces, but doesn’t eliminate, the risk of slipping.
“It’s essential to remember that these ratings indicate potential performance; they aren’t a guarantee. Testing the shoes in the environment where they will be used provides a clearer picture of suitability.”
Conclusion: Choosing the Right Footwear for Your Environment
The EN ISO 20345:2022 update reflects a more holistic approach to safety standards, eliminating the misconception of a “best” slip resistance rating and promoting a focus on the actual needs of the workplace. With slip resistance now a foundational requirement, workers and employers can select footwear with confidence while understanding that some conditions may still require additional trials.
Sandra’s final advice?
“Stay proactive in safety equipment choices. Opt for shoes with slip resistance ratings that align with your specific work environment and, whenever possible, test them on-site to ensure they provide the protection you need.”
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