Buy safety shoes from uvex
Whether it’s heavy machinery, chemical substances or hot liquids – working environments harbour many different risks. Safety shoes from uvex protect you in your everyday work. Our models offer protection in the classes S1, S2, S3, S5 and S7 and are ideal for requirements in industry, chemicals, construction and logistics. If you need orthopaedically adapted shoes, our uvex medicare solutions are just the right thing for you. Do you need shoes without special protective properties, but are on your feet a lot at work and would like to benefit from the ergonomic features of our models? Then our occupational shoes are the right choice. Find the perfect shoe to meet your needs now!
FILTER
Should I buy occupational or safety shoes? What is the difference?
The terms occupational shoes, work shoes and safety shoes are often used synonymously. “Work shoes” is frequently used colloquially for safety shoes. The major difference between occupational and safety shoes is the protective toe cap:
- Occupational shoes have no protective toe cap but differ from everyday footwear in terms of their requirements, for example with regard to energy absorption in the heel area or slip resistance of the outsole.
- It is mandatory for safety shoes to be fitted with a protective toe cap made either from plastic, aluminium or steel. Fulfilling various other requirements is decisive for classification into the respective protection class and therefore the areas of application of the safety shoes.
Important note:
Employers are obliged to provide their employees with appropriate safety footwear based on a workplace hazard assessment and to replace it when required. Important regulations about this can be found:
- in the professional association guidelines (German Social Accident Insurance (DGUV) Regulation 112-191),
- in the German Occupational Safety and Health Act (Arbeitsschutzgesetz – ArbSchG),
- in the international series of standards DIN EN ISO 20344 to 20347
Protection classes and shoes based on areas of activity
Work shoes are divided into protection classes. Safety shoes have an “S”, occupational shoes have an “O”. uvex provides the following protection classes:
These are safety shoes with an enclosed heel area and an anti-static and fuel-resistant sole (optional). They are able to absorb at least 20 joules of energy in the heel area for better cushioning.
Of course, our uvex safety shoes are certified in accordance with the standard DIN EN ISO 20345:2022 or 20345:2011. You can find out what this important safety shoe standard entails on our website.
ESD shoes and anti-static occupational safety shoes
Anti-static is a must-have from safety class S1. These shoes dissipate static electricity and protect the wearer against hazards that can occur in connection with electrostatic charge. In addition, the risk of flammable substances or vapours igniting from flying sparks is reduced. According to the safety shoe standard EN ISO 20345 and the occupational shoe standard EN ISO 20347, anti-static shoes have a resistance between 105 ohms and 109 ohms.
In the uvex range there are also ESD safety shoes (ESD = electrostatic discharge) in accordance with EN 61340-4-3 and EN 61340-5-1. The ESD range defined according to these standards (between 105 ohms and 108 ohms) outlines a narrower demarcation within the anti-static range. The ESD functionality particularly protects electronic components, such as electronic chips.
Other important certifications when purchasing safety shoes
In addition to the above-mentioned safety classes, there are a series of other properties that occupational and safety shoes need to meet in certain fields of work:
SR
= Slip resistance on ceramic tile floors with glycerol
CI
= Cold insulation
FO
= Fuel resistance of the outsole
HI
= Heat insulation
HRO
= Heat resistance of the sole up to 300°C
ESD
= Volume resistance between 0.1 MΩ and 100 MΩ (directly on the shoe)
Occupational and safety shoes: materials and care
If you treat your safety shoes with care every day, you will be able to keep them in good condition for a long time. Clean them after heavy soiling with a brush, lukewarm water and if required, commercially available cleaning agents. Let them air and dry out at the end of every working day, for at least 24 to 48 hours. (You should order several pairs of shoes for this purpose so that you can wear them alternately.)
Avoid drying wet safety shoes on radiators, with a shoe dryer or with a fan heater. Instead, allow the shoes to air dry in a well-ventilated place. Then, waterproof your shoes with our uvex nano shoe add on spray. For the inside of the shoe, use our uvex nano shoe add in shoe disinfectant, which is effective against foot odour and athlete’s foot. You can also find practical tips on how to prevent sweaty feet in work shoes in our blog.
For your safety, it is also necessary that you:
- check the footwear for damage and defects before you wear it.
- repair damaged footwear immediately.
- only wear fully intact safety shoes, as the effectiveness of the protective properties cannot be guaranteed otherwise.
More information on how you clean and care for your safety shoes correctly can be found in our blog article.
uvex safety shoes with orthopaedic solutions
Do you suffer from back problems or foot complaints? The solution: orthopaedically adapted safety shoes. With uvex medicare we offer you tailored orthopaedic solutions – personal insoles are not permitted for certified occupational and safety shoes. The employer usually assumes the costs for this. Find a specialist near you and get some advice.
Learn more about the cost coverage of insoles for safety footwear in our blog.
Buy occupational and safety shoes – at uvex
Discover the right safety footwear for every working environment and your individual needs. Whether classic work shoes or orthopaedic, tailored models – uvex has the right shoe model for you.
Do you have questions or suggestions? Our team would be happy to advise you. You can contact us by telephone on +49 800 66 44 893, by email at serviceteam@uvex.de or via our contact form.
Find your ideal uvex safety or occupational shoes now!
