Overview
ISO 20349-1:2017/Amd 1:2020 specifies updated requirements and test methods for personal protective equipment (PPE) footwear designed to protect against risks found in foundries. This amendment enhances the original standard by adding supplementary provisions focusing on heat and flame resistance, critical for footwear used in high-temperature industrial environments such as metal casting and welding. Developed by ISO Technical Committee ISO/TC 94 and coordinated with CEN/TC 161 under the Vienna Agreement, this standard supports global efforts to ensure worker safety from thermal hazards in foundries while also addressing mechanical risks.
Key Topics
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Heat and Flame Protection: Annex B introduces comprehensive guidelines for thermal insulation and mechanical strength necessary for PPE footwear exposed to heat and molten metal. This includes resistance to spontaneous ignition and protection from heat flux when in contact with hot surfaces or molten materials.
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Resistance to Molten Metal: Footwear complying with the standard is tested against molten iron (Fe) and aluminum (Al). Protective boots must allow quick removal within 5 seconds to minimize injury from hot metal splashes.
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Thermal Performance Requirements: Footwear must resist burning or glowing for no longer than 2 seconds after flame exposure. It must enable the wearer to stand on a surface heated to 250 °C for at least 10 minutes without exceeding the human skin pain threshold of 42 °C.
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Material Durability: The outsole must resist damage after prolonged exposure to temperatures up to 300 °C, while uppers must maintain dimensional stability under heat for specified durations (up to 5 minutes at 180 °C and a brief resistance at 500 °C).
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Additional Mechanical Protections: Beyond heat resistance, the footwear may include features such as perforation resistance, energy absorption in the seat region, metatarsal protection, and cut resistance to address varied industrial hazards.
Applications
ISO 20349-1:2017/Amd 1:2020 is essential in environments with high thermal risk, primarily foundries and welding operations, and offers crucial protection for workers handling molten metals, heated materials, and other fire-related hazards. Practical use cases include:
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Foundry Operations: Adapting footwear compliant with this standard reduces risk from slag splashes, hot metal spills, and exposure to extreme heat during melting and casting.
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Welding Workshops: While focused on foundries, the provisions also assist in ensuring footwear protection in adjacent welding tasks where heat and flame hazards occur.
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Safety Program Integration: Employers can incorporate this standard’s requirements into risk assessments and PPE selection to enhance workplace safety policies and compliance.
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Coordination with Complementary PPE: Footwear to ISO 20349-1 must be worn alongside heat and flame-resistant gloves, aprons, hoods, and gaiters for full-body protection.
Related Standards
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ISO 20349 Series: This amendment is part of the broader ISO 20349 series focused on PPE footwear protection against foundry and welding-related hazards.
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EN 50321: Referenced for electrical safety footwear, ensuring that users select appropriate personal protective footwear as per operational hazards.
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ISO/IEC Directives: The development and maintenance of this standard follow the ISO/IEC Directives, ensuring consistency and technical rigor across international PPE standards.
Keywords: ISO 20349-1 amendment, protective footwear foundries, heat-resistant safety boots, molten metal protection, PPE footwear standards, flame-resistant shoes, industrial safety footwear, thermal insulation PPE, foundry safety equipment, welding protective footwear.
Open preview (PDF)Personal protective equipment — Footwear protecting against risks in foundries and welding — Part 1: Requirements and test methods for protection against risks in foundries — Amendment 1
