Product Safety Ratings: A Consumers Guide

If you've been browsing PPEPro.Store's products, or any other safety-wear store's products for that matter, you've probably come across certain safety ratings, such as S1 and S3 ratings for footwear, SRA and SRC slip-resistant ratings, and EN 388 ratings for gloves. We know these may seem like trivial industry jargon, but when it comes to selecting the right PPE, understanding these product safety ratings is a great place to start. In this post, we will explain all these common ratings, and what they entail. 

Safety footwear is categorised into different classes, with S1 and S3 being two common ratings. These ratings are defined by European standards (EN ISO 20345:2011), providing valuable insights into the protective features of safety footwear.  Footwear that meets EN ISO 20345 standards offers essential features such as toe protection against impacts up to 200 joules, antistatic properties, energy absorption in the heel, and a closed heel area.

• S1: This rating denotes basic safety features such as toe protection against impacts up to 200 joules, antistatic properties, energy absorption in the heel, and a closed heel area.
• S2: All S1 rating features - t oe protection against impacts up to 200 joules, antistatic properties, energy absorption in the heel, and a closed heel area - but the upper features anti-water penetration or absorption into the shoe.
• S3: In addition to the features of S1 and S2-rated footwear, S3-rated footwear offers enhanced protection against water penetration and includes a penetration-resistant midsole.

Slips and falls are common causes of workplace accidents, particularly in environments where surfaces may be wet or slippery. To address this risk, slip-resistant footwear is essential. Two common ratings used to assess slip resistance are SRA and SRC.

• SRA: This rating indicates that the footwear has been tested on ceramic tile floors with a dilute soap solution, simulating slippery conditions. The footwear must provide sufficient traction to reduce the risk of slipping.
• SRC: Footwear that achieves an SRC rating meets the requirements for slip resistance on both ceramic tile floors with a dilute soap solution (SRA) and steel floors covered with glycerol (SRB), ensuring superior slip resistance on multiple surfaces. 

The EN 388 standard defines the performance specifications for protective gloves tested against abrasion, cuts, tear and puncture, with each digit in the code that follows "388" representing resistance to specific hazards. For example "EN 388-4543".   

• Resistance to Abrasion (1st digit): This rating indicates the glove's resistance to abrasion, with a higher number representing greater durability against abrasive materials.
• Resistance to Blade Cuts (2nd digit): Blade cut resistance measures the glove's ability to withstand cuts from sharp objects such as knives or blades. A higher rating indicates better protection against cuts.
• Resistance to Tear (3rd digit): Tear resistance refers to the glove's ability to resist tearing when subjected to sharp edges or pointed objects. A higher rating signifies greater tear resistance.
• Resistance to Puncture (4th digit): Puncture resistance measures the glove's ability to withstand punctures from sharp objects. A higher rating indicates better protection against punctures.

Abrasion, tear and puncture have a maximum level of 4, the highest resistance to these hazards. Cut resistance has a maximum level of 5.

 

Understanding product safety ratings is vital for ensuring the effectiveness of PPE in mitigating workplace hazards. Whether it's selecting footwear with S1 or S3 ratings, prioritising slip-resistant footwear with SRA & SRC ratings, or choosing gloves with EN 388 ratings, these standards provide valuable guidance for employers and individuals. By investing in PPE with the right safety ratings, employers can create safer work environments and protect the health and safety of their workers.