Do I Need Chemical-Resistant Safety Work Boots?

What are Chemical-Resistant Work Boots?

Chemical-resistant work boots are made to offset the hazards of using, working with, combining or storing chemicals. They protect workers from the risk of skin injuries, allergies, infections and chemical burns caused by hazardous chemical leaks and spills. Therefore, chemical-resistant boots are essential for anyone working with chemicals.

All Chemical-resistant work boots must comply with the latest version of the European standard for footwear protecting against chemicals - EN 13832:2018.

TYPE U Footwear

If you are exposed to chemicals for only a short period of time, Type U footwear is recommended, as it provides protection on the upper only. To meet the requirements of this standard, the testing involves filling the footwear with an absorbent medium and pouring 130ml of the challenge chemical over the shoe, including all sides. The test footwear is visually assessed for liquid penetration and any damage immediately after exposure to the chemical. Further visual assessments are performed 10 minutes, 1 hour and 24 hours after the initial test.

The only footwear that doesn't need to comply with the EN 13832:2018 standard are boots which are exposed to higher-risk chemicals - there's a separate test with a more stringent set of standards for these boots.

Did you know...

Our award winning sports range is chemical resistant and washable? Our V1910/1915 Boost IGS and V1920/1925 Octane IGS have been tested against chemical splash (Sodium Hydroxide and Sulphuric Acid) in accordance with footwear performance TYPE U specified in EN 13832-2:2018. They have also been tested against the SATRA TM 158 washability test - and passed. What's more, both styles are available in men's and women's fit and are ideal for both paramedics and external health workers. The two styles also helped keep critical workers safe whilst working on their feet to help save lives at the NHS Nightingale Hospital during the peak of the worldwide pandemic.

The Details

IGS^TM Sole

Our Intelligent Grip System rubber sole unit ensures superb grip on all surfaces and increased cushioning underfoot.

Four strong, deep ladder grips and a well-defined heel keep you sturdy and firm footed while climbing or descending ladders, and ultimately helps prevent falls from height.

The sole pattern is based on small hexagons which provide multiple sharp edges to cut through liquid, while larger, self-cleaning lugs provide stability on chunkier terrains. This is an ideal safety boot for professionals who work on several different surfaces every day.

Metal-Free

Lightweight protection with our composite toecap and midsole, with the added benefit of reducing fatigue. Did you know, in a 12,000 step day, our lightweight composite products can save you lifting an extra 650kg?

About the same as a polar bear!

ESD Compliant

Tested and certified to the EU Standard for electrostatic discharge. An extremely low electrical resistance prevents a strong or uncontrolled electrostatic charge, protecting sensitive equipment or components from electrostatic discharges.