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Ensuring that employees are safe at work must be a high priority for all organizations, regardless of industry. According to the Labour Force Survey1, 0.4 million people suffered a non-fatal injury at work between 2020-2021. Whilst this can have a considerable impact on businesses, ultimately organizations have a responsibility to look after their people.
Most incidents in the workplace can be prevented if the correct level of protection is provided. Protective footwear is just one of the most common types of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and an important part of self-protection in the workplace.
Incidents relating to feet and legs can range from a blister due to ill-fitting work boots, to heavy objects falling onto the feet. The correct safety footwear whether it be for a construction worker, a motorcyclist or a fireman, is vital to ensure that feet are adequately protected. Keeping feet at the right temperature is another consideration, particularly in extreme environments or when working outdoors. There is an ever-rising need for organizations to comply with health and safety regulations; therefore, professionals need to explore the use of PPE. However, with so many different types of protective footwear on the market – each with its own use and application, how do organizations invest in the right protection?
What is PPE?
PPE encompasses hundreds of products that stretch from head to toe, from protective clothing, helmets, hearing and respiratory protection to body armour and boots. From a legal and regulatory perspective, PPE is defined more specifically as:
a. Equipment designed and manufactured to be worn or held by a person for protection against one or more risks to that person’s health or safety
b. Interchangeable components for equipment referred to in point (a) that are essential for its protective function
c. Connection systems for equipment referred to in point (a) that are not held or worn by a person, that are designed to connect that equipment to an external device or to a reliable anchorage point, that are not designed to be permanently fixed, and that do not require fastening works before use.
A step forward for PPE and diversity
In industries where women remain under-represented, it hasn’t made economic sense to provide PPE in a range of smaller sizes and cater for women. However, in construction for example, some female workers may find that most PPE doesn’t fit them or is otherwise unsuitable because boots don’t come in their sizes and suits are too large and poorly ventilated. Additionally, in some sectors maternity wear does not exist. This is why the way PPE is made is changing with the driving force being the evolution of standards to ensure that PPE is designed to keep everyone safe.
“correct safety footwear is vital to ensure feet are adequately protected”
Standards written for PPE often fail to take into account a more diverse end user. Health and safety is an industry which has a predominately male demographic, although this is changing. The experts that develop the standards come from this demographic, which means there can be a lack of diversity on the committees that write PPE standards around the world.
The standards which committees are responsible for developing are increasingly accounting for diversity of all types. In fact, BSI has a project to identify all standards that need to have a ‘personal’ aspect to them – and this includes not only gender and cultural diversity but also religious, disability, medical and other forms of body differences such as amputees.
The most effective solution to deal with PPE that does not meet the needs of a diverse workforce is to remove the need for PPE wherever possible. Where it isn’t possible, it is the organizational culture and effective consultation and participation of the workforce which removes obstacles and barriers, such as discrimination or embarrassment (real or perceived).
These principles are clearly seen in the international standard on health and safety management –ISO 45001. Organizations that implement this standard will empower their workforce to participate in good health and safety and in many cases the workforce will come up with effective solutions to PPE challenges.
BSI has produced a white paper on diversity in Personal Protective Equipment, which can be downloaded at http://page.bsigroup.com/diversity-in-ppe.
PPE Regulation
To keep employees safe in the workplace and reduce health risks, protective footwear has to comply with all the requirements of the PPE Regulation and carry the CE marking to be sold legally in the EU or the UKCA mark to be sold within the UK.
Footwear is generally classified as Category II PPE, however when protection from higher risks such as, but not limited to, electrical or molten metal then the footwear is classified as Complex PPE, Category III. This means that in addition to satisfying the higher-level requirements of the PPE Regulation and standard, the manufacturer must also demonstrate annually to a Notified/Approved Body such as BSI, that the product continues to comply with the requirements of the standard it was initially tested against.
“the way PPE is made is changing to keep everyone safe”
A Notified/Approved Body is an independent organization designated by an EU country or UK to assess.
the conformity of certain products before being placed on the market. These bodies carry out tasks related to conformity assessment procedures set out in the applicable EU/UK legislation, when a third party is required.
There is an ever-rising need for organizations to comply with health and safety regulations; therefore, professionals need to explore the use of PPE. However, with a variety of protective footwear on the market – each with its own use and application, how do organizations invest in the right protection? Understanding the PPE Regulation (EU) 2016/425 and associated standards such as BS EN ISO 20345 can offer some help, in order to make the right choices of protective footwear.
Footwear requires mandatory CE and UKCA certification under the PPE Regulation (EU) 2016/425.
There are many different types on the market – each with its own use and specific application. The PPE Regulation groups all products into three main categories depending on the level of risk in the workplace.
Category I: Simple
Minimal risks are present, and employees can identify and assess the level of protection that the product offers. Such risks might include superficial mechanical injury, contact with hot surfaces not exceeding 50°C and atmospheric conditions that are not of an extreme nature. In order to fall into this category, products must comply with the Essential Health and Safety requirements and bear the CE marking or UKCA marking through the manufacturing self- certification route.
Category II: Intermediate
Neither complex nor simple, products in this category should be certified by a Notified Body/Approved Body, to prove that they meet the technical requirements of the PPE Regulation’s relevant specifications.
Category III: Complex
PPE in this category is designed to protect workers against dangers that could cause serious harm to their health and in some instances, death. These products safeguard employees against electrical risks, dangerous voltages and provide insulation during high-tension work. To meet the requirements of this category, manufacturers not only need to get their products certified by an accredited body, but also undergo constant surveillance. Their chosen accredited body will select and test samples to ensure all products meet the required standards.
The majority of footwear falls within category II or III and therefore require EU Type Examination and if complex, on-going surveillance too.
“footwear requires mandatory certification under PPE Regulation (EU) 2016/425”
Is it up to standard?
Specifiers and purchasers of PPE can derive a measure of reassurance about the quality and safety of products from the presence of the ‘CE’ mark and ‘UKCA’ mark.
To keep employees safe in the workplace and reduce health risks, protective footwear has to comply with all the requirements of the PPE Regulation and carry the CE mark to be sold legally in the EU and the UKCA mark from 1 January 2023.
UKCA marking
Following the UK’s departure from the EU on 31 January 2020, the UK introduced United Kingdom Conformity Assessed marking, known as UKCA marking. This replaces the CE mark on some products placed on the market in Great Britain.
Existing CE product marking is acceptable for products already on the market, however products sold in Great Britain from 1 January 2023 will require UKCA marking. The exception to this is manufacturers in Northern Ireland who will still be able to place products on the market in Great Britain with CE marking following this deadline. Placing products in Northern Ireland will differ because the CE mark or the UKNI mark will be required.
As an Approved Body, BSI can work with organizations on the required conformity assessment procedures that will allow them to affix the UKCA marking on to the following products:
- Construction Products submitted to the Construction Products Regulation (CPR)
- Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
- Gas appliances
- Pressure Equipment
- Lifts submitted to the Lift Directive
- Marine equipment
- Measuring instruments
- Radio equipment
- Medical devices
There are roughly ten times fewer UK Approved Bodies who can provide the UKCA mark. Whilst not everyone will decide to sell their product in Great Britain, we expect a majority to do so, and thus there can be a build-up of work for these UK Approved Bodies.
Most products currently covered by CE marking will require the UKCA marking from 1 January 2023 and manufacturers hoping to place products in the GB market are being advised to act now to avoid disappointment.
PPE in the European Union (EU)
When it comes to distributing PPE in the European Union (EU), all products that fall under the European Regulation must carry the CE mark. This is a legal requirement and means that manufacturers are allowed to do business in all 27 EU member states.
If a product bears the CE marking, it has been assessed against the essential safety performance criteria as specified in the EU Regulation. This mark also acts as the manufacturer’s confirmation that the product adheres to the specific requirements of all the Directives or Regulations that apply to it and that it can be sold legally in the EU.
“the new Regulation prevents companies from selling sub-standard PPE”
The PPE Directive was previously focused only on manufacturers placing products onto the market, but the PPE Regulation means the whole supply chain is involved. This means importers, distributors or anyone involved in the supply and distribution chain should take appropriate measures to ensure that PPE meets standard requirements and that they make available on the market only products which comply with the Regulation, and keep relevant documents for at least 10 years.
BSI’s status as a Notified Body for many European Directives and Regulations enables it to offer third party testing and factory production control assessments to issue CE marks in the Netherlands. The level of involvement of BSI is determined by the Category the product falls under in the Regulation.
Standards and certification
Achieving certification to standards provide reassurance that protective gloves have met requirements that a standard identifies.
The cost of counterfeits
There are some excellent footwear protection products available on the market, however there are also numerous counterfeit and illegal products. Invariably, such fakes do not perform as they should, put employees’ lives at risk and expose their organization to prosecution.
From laboratory and to factory floor, PPE is vital to workplace wellbeing, and it is imperative that it meets or exceeds health and safety standards. The new Regulation will help prevent companies from selling sub-standard PPE without being accountable. Under the new Regulation, any company importing or distributing PPE products will have to ensure they meet the Regulation and keep records.
Above and beyond standard protection
The BSI Kitemark™ gives a higher level of assurance that a product will do what it claims. From a buyer’s perspective, it helps differentiate well-made PPE products from those of a lower standard – or indeed counterfeit goods.
Many manufacturers apply for Kitemark certification to make sure their products stand out from others. In order to achieve the Kitemark certification, a product must comply with the specified requirements of a publicly available standard, such as a British, European or International Standard, or PAS (Publically Available Specification).
If a product has achieved the Kitemark, it has been through a testing process to ensure it meets the relevant standards and passes all the applicable requirements. This also involves the assessment of the factory’s quality management system against the ISO 9001 requirements. Once a licence has been issued, the manufacturer’s factory will be audited on a regular basis and products will be tested frequently to make sure they still comply with the specified requirements. Both the audit testing and factory assessments are above the minimum requirements specified for the Intermediate & Complex category in the PPE Regulation.
Manufacturers that achieve the Kitemark certification demonstrate their on-going commitment to deliver foot protection of the highest standards to the market.
Keeping employees safe at work may seem complicated, however by understanding what PPE is available and what to look for when it comes to foot protection, many incidents can be prevented. Certification to key product standards through CE marking and the BSI Kitemark can help PPE manufacturers clear regulatory hurdles, while differentiating their proven products from poor quality competitors and fakes. Most importantly, however, it will give the peace of mind to consumers and commercial buyers that the quality, safety and reliability of PPE products is guaranteed.
For more information on the PPE Regulation, please visit bsigroup.com/ppe-reg-uk/.
About BSI Kitemark
- The BSI Kitemark is an independent mark of quality, helping procurers and end-users to differentiate reputable PPE products from those of a lower standard
- All products certified with the BSI Kitemark are rigorously tested to the latest standards. Regular batch or product audit testing is undertaken at BSI’s laboratories, and BSI assessors conduct regular factory audits to check quality during production
- The BSI Kitemark is voluntary, is only available from BSI, and gives end-users confidence in the performance and quality of the product
- A product that has earned the BSI Kitemark shows that, especially for Category III PPE, a manufacturer will be meeting all ongoing surveillance requirements under the existing Directive and the new PPE Regulation
