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Can someone explain the difference between ESD and Insulating soles for safety footwear? Also how are both of these rated for performance?
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Rank: Super forum user
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ESD Footwear is NOT PPE. It is intended for workers who handle components that might be sensitive to electrostatic discharges. BS EN 61340-5-1:2016 is the relevant British standard. Insulated safety footwear is intended to protect wearers from electric shock, for example if live working, so it is PPE. BS EN 50321-1:2018 is a standard for such footwear.
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 1 user thanked A Kurdziel for this useful post.
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ESD shoes are used in areas where there are sensitive electronics, to prevent a static electrical charge building up that could damage the electronics when touched by someone wearing the shoes.
Insulating shoes are used when doing electrial work, and are intended to reduce the risk of electric shock to the worker.
So they are completely different applications. Which is it that you need?
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Just to clarify - clearly I have added nothing to what AK said, as we were both writing at the same time but AK got to the post button first.
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2 users thanked Kate for this useful post.
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Hi both, Thanks for the feedback. Confirmed some knowledge and providing some new knowledge too. Will be a real help going forward.
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I'm speaking (typing!) in ignorance here, but presumably when worn in DSEAR zoned areas, ESD footwear is classed as PPE?
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2 users thanked Roundtuit for this useful post.
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2 users thanked Roundtuit for this useful post.
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I may be a bit out of date here so happy to be corrected. The single biggest issue about ESD or ‘anti-static’ footwear is actually maintaining a connection with earth. Long, long ago I worked in aerosol manufacturing that uses many solvents and LPG as the main propellant. Due to the flammability risk everyone entering zoned areas wore anti-static footwear. However as some of these areas were outside and/or the operatives may go outside or into non clean areas all entrances to zoned areas had a conductivity plate. The entrants stood on this plate grabbed the handle and it confirmed there was a path to earth through your boots. If they were damaged or simply dirty underfoot cleaning mats and the straps, previously mentioned, were available to use before entry. Not having a connection to earth was surprisingly common. I have worked in a couple of environments since with Zoned areas and am always surprised that conductivity testing is not commonplace but anti-static footwear is always mandatory. I have raised this many times over the years and always been faced with a blank stare.
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Rank: Forum user 
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Originally Posted by: A Kurdziel  ESD Footwear is NOT PPE. It is intended for workers who handle components that might be sensitive to electrostatic discharges. BS EN 61340-5-1:2016 is the relevant British standard. Insulated safety footwear is intended to protect wearers from electric shock, for example if live working, so it is PPE. BS EN 50321-1:2018 is a standard for such footwear.
If working in a Zone for DSEAR compliance then anti-static footwear is PPE. ESD footwear can be considered anti-static for this purpose. They work on the same principle in that they allow for discharge of static formed on the body to earth through your feet. As such, they are 'partially' conductive - providing the flooring itself allows for discharge to earth. ESD are more conductive than anti-static footwear. If you are doing electrical work in a Zoned area, you have the potential opposite requirements from your footwear. In this circumstance the need for anti-static footwear whilst in the area takes priority [discuss :)]. The logic is that anti-static is a primary control (stop the person acting as a source of ignition) and the insulated footwear requirements are secondary (no one should intend for their footwear to protect them from receiving an electric shock). The best solution from an electrical safety point of view is to wear anti-static footwear, but place an insulated mat at the point of work to stand on - and ensure suitable DSEAR-based controls are in place. Tony.
Edited by user 09 November 2023 12:57:50(UTC)
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2 users thanked Roundtuit for this useful post.
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Kate on 09/11/2023(UTC), Kate on 09/11/2023(UTC)
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Rank: Super forum user
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2 users thanked Roundtuit for this useful post.
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Kate on 09/11/2023(UTC), Kate on 09/11/2023(UTC)
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