Evaluation of protective properties of safety anti-penetration inserts in footwear designed for professional use

Abstract

In accordance with applicable standards: PN-EN 12568:2011 i PN-EN ISO 20344:2012, anti-penetration inserts and footwear outsole with anti-penetration inserts are tested at penetration velocity (10 ± 3) mm/min, with a test nail of (4.50 ± 0.05) mm in diameter and a conical tip with a truncation of 1 mm and an angle of 30o. This velocity is relatively low compared to penetration velocity when walking vigorously. The diameter of the test nail also exceeds diameters of most nails used in industry. Users’ contact with sharp objects potentially present on the ground at a worksite is usually more dynamic. It is important for footwear and the inserts to ensure workers’ safety. The Footwear Laboratory aimed to determine the effect of penetration velocity and test nail dimensions on the protective capacity of inserts. It also evaluated the quality of these items.