ASTM F2413-18 Specification for Performance Requirements for Protective (Safety) Toe Cap Footwear

ASTM F2413-18 Specification for Performance Requirements for Protective (Safety) Toe Cap Footwear Scope: 

This specification covers minimum requirements for the performance of footwear to protect against a variety of workplace hazards that can potentially result in injury.

ASTM F2413-18 does not aim to lay a detailed manufacturing or purchasing specification, but it can be used as a reference in purchase contracts to ensure that minimum performance requirements are met.

Safety footwear regulations are a set of rules and regulations that specify the kind and grade of footwear that is acceptable for use at work. These regulations are in place to safeguard employees from dangers like falling objects, chemical spills, electrical shocks, and others.

Although there are many different safety footwear rules, the American Society for Testing and Materials is responsible for one of the most common ones in the US (ASTM).

Footwear conforming to this ASTM F2413 specification must meet the following performance requirements: impact resistance for the toe area of footwear; compression resistance for the toe area of 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; 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; chainsaw cut resistance; and dielectric insulation.

This specification is not intended for overshoes with safety toe caps or strap-on devices with safety toes.

Video 01: Safety toe test

Overview of the Specification 

Performance Requirements for Foot Protection

Impact and Compression resistant Footwear should have protective toecaps which should be free from defects such as corrosion, sharp edges, and burrs that may affect safety performance. 

1. Impact Resistant Footwear: 

During impact, the impact resistance of footwear should have a minimum interior height clearance of 12.7 mm for men and 11.9 mm for women. 

2. Compression Resistant Footwear

When compressed, the compression resistance of footwear should have a minimum interior height clearance of 12.7 mm for men and 11.9 mm for women. 

Specimens must conform to the minimum impact and compression performance resistance.

3. Metatarsal Protective Footwear (Mt)

Footwear should have a metatarsal impact guard positioned partially over the protective toecap and extended to cover the metatarsal bone area. 

Metatarsal protective footwear should meet the requirements for both impact-resistant footwear and compression-resistant footwear.

4. Conductive Protective Footwear (Cd)

Conductive footwear should not be worn by personnel working near open electrical circuits.

Conductive footwear should also meet the same requirements met by impact-resistant footwear and compression-resistant footwear.

Conductive protective Footwear should provide maximum resistance of 5,00,000 ohm to prevent hazards that may result from static electricity buildup.

Footwear should dissipate static electricity from the body to reduce the possibility of ignition of volatile compounds. 

Footwear should facilitate a stable electrically conductive path. All external components should be made of non-metallic materials.

Labeling and Identification

Labeling and identification of protective footwear ensure the wearer that footwear meets the required minimum performance of this specification. 

Marking and Compliance Requirements

The marking indicates that the protective footwear bearing this label meets the minimum performance requirements of this specification.

The Certificate of Conformance

A test report and Certification of Conformance (COC) from a third-party laboratory are required for every protective footwear that declares to comply with ASTM F2413-specifications. 18’s

The following details must be included in the Certificate of Conformance:

• Business name.
• The third-party lab’s name, phone number, and signature authorization.
• Date of Issuance of Certification.
• Product details provided by the manufacturer, including category, style, model, and SKU.
• Both the COC’s issuing date and the report number.
• A declaration attesting to the manufacturer’s compliance with the performance.
• Specifications and a list of the safety hazards examined.