ASTM Safety Guide for Work Boots

Understand ASTM safety ratings before choosing your next pair of work boots.

At HANDPOINT, we believe safety footwear should be easy to understand. This guide explains common ASTM safety standards, what the labels mean, and how to choose the right protection for your job.

What Is ASTM?

ASTM stands for the American Society for Testing and Materials.

ASTM develops safety testing standards used across many industries in the United States, including work footwear.

When a pair of work boots meets ASTM requirements, it means the boots have been tested for specific types of workplace protection such as:

  • Toe protection

  • Electrical hazard resistance

  • Puncture resistance

  • Static dissipation

  • Slip resistance

The most common standard used for work boots is:

ASTM F2413

This standard covers protective toe footwear and additional workplace safety features.

ASTM Safety Codes Explained

Different ASTM codes indicate different types of protection.

Code Meaning What It Protects Against
CT Composite Toe Impact and compression injuries
ST Steel Toe Heavy impact and compression
EH Electrical Hazard Reduces risk from open electrical circuits
PR Puncture Resistant Sharp objects like nails or metal
SD Static Dissipative Reduces static electricity buildup
MT Metatarsal Protection Upper foot protection
SR Slip Resistant Improved traction on slippery surfaces

Composite Toe vs Steel Toe

Choosing between composite toe and steel toe depends on your work environment and comfort preference.

Composite Toe (CT)

Benefits

  • Lightweight comfort

  • Metal-free construction

  • Does not conduct heat or cold as easily

  • More comfortable for long shifts

  • Airport friendly

Best For

  • Warehouses

  • Construction

  • Logistics

  • Outdoor work

  • Long standing hours

Steel Toe (ST)

Benefits

  • Traditional heavy-duty protection

  • Slimmer toe profile in some designs

  • Often lower cost

  • Trusted in industrial environments

Best For

  • Heavy construction

  • Manufacturing

  • Industrial job sites

  • High-impact environments

Important Note

Both composite toe and steel toe boots can meet ASTM safety standards.

Composite toe boots are not weaker simply because they are non-metallic.

Understanding EH and SD Ratings

These two ratings are often confused.

EH — Electrical Hazard

EH-rated boots are designed to reduce the risk of injury from accidental contact with open electrical circuits under dry conditions.

Important:

  • EH boots are NOT completely shockproof

  • EH protection works only under specific conditions

  • Wet environments may reduce protection

SD — Static Dissipative

SD-rated boots help reduce static electricity buildup by safely dissipating static charges.

Common Uses

  • Electronics manufacturing

  • Warehouses

  • Sensitive equipment environments

Important:

  • SD does NOT mean electrical hazard protection

  • SD boots are designed for static control, not electric shock protection

Puncture Resistant (PR) Protection

PR-rated boots include a puncture-resistant plate inside the sole to help reduce injuries from:

  • Nails

  • Sharp metal

  • Construction debris

  • Broken materials

PR boots are commonly used in:

  • Construction

  • Roofing

  • Warehouses

  • Industrial job sites

Slip Resistance Matters

Slip-resistant work boots are designed to improve traction on surfaces such as:

  • Wet concrete

  • Oil-covered floors

  • Warehouse surfaces

  • Outdoor job sites

A quality outsole can help reduce slips and improve stability during long work shifts.

Which Safety Features Do You Need?

Job Type Recommended Features
Construction CT/ST + PR + SR
Warehouse CT + SR
Electrical Work EH
Manufacturing SD + SR
Roofing PR + SR
Outdoor Labor Waterproof + CT/ST + SR

ASTM Labels Example

You may see labels similar to:

ASTM F2413-18 M/I/C EH

Meaning:

  • ASTM F2413-18 = ASTM safety standard version

  • M/I/C = Impact and compression toe protection

  • EH = Electrical Hazard protection

Different combinations may appear depending on the boot’s features.

HANDPOINT Work Boot Safety Features

HANDPOINT work boots are designed for demanding work environments.

Depending on the model, our boots may include:

  • ASTM-rated composite toe protection

  • Puncture-resistant midsoles

  • Slip-resistant outsoles

  • Oil-resistant soles

  • Static dissipative protection

  • Water-resistant materials

Our goal is to provide durable, comfortable, and dependable work footwear for everyday job site use.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are composite toe boots OSHA approved?

OSHA generally accepts ASTM-compliant protective footwear. Always confirm your workplace requirements with your employer.

Is composite toe as safe as steel toe?

Yes. Composite toe boots can meet the same ASTM impact and compression standards as steel toe boots.

Are EH boots fully insulated?

No. EH-rated boots help reduce electrical hazards under specific dry conditions, but they are not fully insulated against all electrical risks.

Do puncture-resistant boots stop all sharp objects?

PR-rated boots help reduce puncture injuries, but no footwear can guarantee protection against every object or situation.

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