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PPE Q


uality safety footwear is vital for workers across a range of industries. As the Health & Safety Executive observes, the


feet and legs are prone to a range of hazards including temperature, electrostatic build-up, slipping, cuts, falling objects, heavy loads, metal and chemical splash, and being crushed or struck by a vehicle. If a workplace risk assessment determines


that PPE is required, the law stipulates that it must be adequate for the hazard and suitable for the wearer, the task and the environment. Workers might require footwear that is anti- static, electrically conductive, or resistant to penetration. It may need to prevent slips or protect against extreme hot or cold. With the potential severity of many of these


hazards in mind, it is alarming that a significant proportion of the safety footwear on the UK market currently fails to perform as advertised. British Safety Industry Federation (BSIF)


testing has found that an incredible 88% of products that it tested from suppliers not signed up to our Registered Safety Supplier Scheme (RSSS) showed failures against product claims and/or documentation. Only five of footwear products tested between December 2021 and December 2022 were found to be fully compliant.


UK reqUirements Manufacturers, importers, distributors, internet sellers, and agents involved in the supply of PPE have clear legal responsibilities and obligations in the UK. Safety footwear used at work must comply with Regulation (EU) 2016/425 and follow the relevant approval procedures to qualify for a UKCA or CE mark. The regulation states that safety footwear must


meet the standards specified by BS EN ISO 20345. This standard identifies the basic and optional requirements for general purpose safety footwear including slip resistance, mechanical and thermal risks, and ergonomic behaviour. Footwear might also need to conform to other


relevant standards such as BS EN ISO 20347: Personal Protective Equipment - Occupational Footwear or BS EN ISO 20349-1: Personal Protective Equipment. Footwear Protecting Against Risks in Foundries and Welding - Part 1. Safety shoes designed to protect against


anything more than minor injury are classified as Category II or III. These products must undergo a type-examination by an accredited testing body to ensure they meet their ‘Essential Health and Safety Requirement’ (EHSR). Category III products, which protect against permanent damage and death, additionally require ongoing independent quality assurance through either Module C2 Product Verification or Module D Product Quality Assurance. Manufacturers are obliged to provide the


Declaration of Conformity along with user instructions and technical documentation to sell and distribute Category II and III safety footwear in the UK.


RUnnIng InTO PROBlEMS wITh SAFETy FOOTwEAR


Tests show there is a considerable quantity of safety footwear on the UK market that does not perform as advertised. BSIF CEO Alan Murray discusses the dangers of this widespread issue - and explains how PPE buyers can make safer choices.


Employers have a duty of care and are


responsible for ensuring that the PPE they provide for their workers is properly certified and approved, too. Not all buyers and specifiers are aware of this responsibility - and very few will have all the knowledge or resources they need to validate suppliers' claims.


ProdUct failUres The lack of market surveillance and enforcement in the UK means it can be difficult to distinguish responsible suppliers from less responsible ones. Furthermore, the quantity of non-compliant products being sold in the UK market is on the rise. Some products claim UKCA or CE approvals


but have not been appropriately certified. These items risk serious injury to wearers as well as exposing businesses to the risk of prosecution for failing to protect their staff. Our tests on non-member products


uncovered some disturbing failures. For example, there has been a proliferation of so- called safety footwear that is often promoted as “unbreakable” or “indestructible” on social media. These products all too often have not been tested or accredited to any of the required standards and failed many of our tests. Any products that claim to have a protective


midsole should be able to prevent a nail going through the base of the footwear at a force of 1,100 Newtons. However, none of the so-called “indestructible” products we tested did so. Many products also failed the compression tests or had steel toecaps that were not produced with the correct shape or to the standards required.


registered safety sUPPlier scheme The BSIF works hard to eliminate unsafe, non-compliant and illegal safety footwear from the market. Members of our Registered Supplier Safety


Scheme must sign a formal, binding declaration that all safety products they offer meet the appropriate standards, fully comply with PPE regulations and are correctly UKCA


14 wInTER 2023 | IndUSTRIAl COMPlIAnCE


or CE marked. Every year, we source one item of PPE from members for assessment by an accredited test laboratory. We tested 108 items of safety footwear


produced by RSSS members between December 2021 and December 2022. Whereas 88 per cen of non-member products tested, failed, 90 per cent of member products met all requirements on product claims and documentation. RSSS members whose products failed to meet the test criteria were required to rectify issues immediately to remain part of the scheme. If a member ever refuses corrective action they will be removed from the scheme and referred to the authorities. This is why we always recommend that all


UK buyers and specifiers of safety products and PPE look for the Registered Safety Supplier Scheme Shield. Ensuring safety footwear is fully compliant with all required standards is hugely challenging. By using a Registered Safety Supplier, you can be confident that you are getting genuine, appropriately approved products that perform as they should. We encourage all those charged with specifying PPE to:


1) CHECK your supplier is BSIF-registered. BSIF-audited suppliers are compliant, competent and trustworthy. Do not settle for less.


2) SELECT appropriate, certified and compliant products. Registered Safety Suppliers can support the product selection process through their competence, capability and knowledge.


3) PROTECT your workforce and your business. Registered Safety Suppliers go above and beyond, helping to keep your people safe and helping your business to thrive.


A full list of registered suppliers is available to view at https://www.bsif.co.uk/rsss/


BSIF www.bsif.co.uk


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