“Tingley is a leading manufacturer of protective apparel and footwear and steadfastly adheres to the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) F2413-18 for the manufacture, assessment and labeling of safety footwear in terms of toe cap impact and compression, puncture resistance, electrical hazard resistance, and a range of other safety footwear protections. All Tingley footwear meets the specific section of the standard indicated on the ASTM F2413 label applied to the footwear.” Tingley, www.tingleyrubber.com.
Standard Specification for Performance Requirements for Protective (Safety) Toe Cap Footwear
In the workplace, feet can have heavy objects fall on them, trapped between objects or caught in a crack. Vehicles can roll over them and heavy objects can fall on them. Bulldozers, lift trucks, pallets, chain saws, unguarded machinery, loose nails and sharp nails are just a few of the things that can pose a danger to feet and cause injuries ranging from punctures and severed toes, to broken bones and electric shocks. Hazards exist in a variety of industries, including warehousing, logging, manufacturing, transportation, waste management and construction. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, each year there are more than 53,000 foot injuries in U.S. workplaces that cause employees to miss work. Some result in permanent disability. Protective footwear – along with job design and/or workplace design – is an important means of preventing occupational foot injuries.
ASTM F2413-18 covers the minimum design, performance, testing and classification requirements, and prescribes fit, function and performance criteria for footwear designed to be worn to provide protection against a variety of workplace hazards that can potentially result in injury. It does not serve as a detailed manufacturing or purchasing specification, but it can provide a reference for purchasers that foot protection meets minimum performance requirements are met.
Major Provisions
Footwear conforming to ASTM F2413-18 must meet the following provisions of the standard:
- Impact resistance for the toe area of footwear – When subjected to a 75-pound force, the toe area must provide a minimum interior height clearance of 0.5 inches in men’s footwear and 0.468 inches in women’s footwear.
- Compression resistance for the toe area of footwear – When footwear is subjected to a 2,500-pound force, the toe area must provide a minimum interior height clearance of 0.5 inches in men’s footwear and 0.468 inches in women’s footwear.
- Metatarsal protection that reduces the chance of injury to the metatarsal bones at the top of the foot.
- Conductive properties which reduce hazards that may result from static electricity buildup and reduce the possibility of ignition of explosives and volatile chemicals.
- Electric shock resistance – the boot shall withstand 18,000 volts at 60 HZ for 1 minute with no current flow or leakage current in excess of 1.0 milliamperes under dry conditions.
- Static dissipative (SD) properties to reduce hazards due to excessively low footwear resistance that may exist where SD footwear is required.
- Puncture resistance of footwear bottoms.
- Chain saw cut resistance.
- Dielectric insulation
The standard specifies that controlled laboratory tests used to determine compliance with the performance requirements of this specification shall not be deemed as establishing performance levels for all situations to which individuals may be exposed.
About the ASTM marking
Footwear that is manufactured to the ASTM specification must be marked with the specific portion of the standard with which it complies. The marking must be enclosed in a rectangular border. Each protective toe cap, metatarsal and puncture-resistant device must be marked with the manufacturer’s name, trademark or logo If any changes are made to the original components of safety toe footwear (such as replacing or adding after-market footbeds/inserts) that could cause failure, that could render the ASTM marking invalid.
NOTE: The standard does not apply to overshoes with safety toe caps or strap on devices with safety toes.
Tips for choosing protective footwear
- Buy shoes or boots late in the afternoon, when feet will be swollen to their largest size.
- Have both feet measured because feet may differ in size; buy shoes to fit the larger foot.
- Do not buy tight-fitting shoes and expect them to stretch with wear.
- Make sure the shoes grip the heels firmly.
- Select shoes and shoe materials based on the hazards to which you will potentially be exposed. Keeping flooring conditions in mind as well, in order to prevent slip and fall accidents.
- Footwear must be comfortable.
Combined Protection
Identifying potential hazards in the workplace or in specific applications will provide the information needed to choose effective foot protection. Many safety footwear styles have features and materials that protect the wearer from a number of different hazards. In addition to the provisions contained in the standard, footwear may also offer chemical resistance from oils, acids and chemicals; waterproofing; slip resistant outsoles; insoles designed to absorb moisture and shock and fire resistance. Some manufacturers have developed anti-fatigue product lines that are lighter in weight, and heels that are beveled to reduce back and leg strain. When shopping for safety footwear, make sure that the products meet the standards. WMHS
More information
ASTM F2413-18 was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
- To purchase the standard: https://www.astm.org/f2413-18.html
