To choose the right safety shoes for a work site, start with the hazard, not the look: a toe cap tested at 200 joules, a slip-resistant sole, and a puncture-resistant insert wherever nails and rebar lie on the ground. Read the category code on the shoe (S1 or S3, for example) under EN ISO 20345, then choose coveralls and gloves the same way: hazard first, then size and comfort.
This guide is for buyers equipping a site crew, workshop or warehouse. It explains the codes on safety footwear and work gloves, and how to choose coveralls, helmets, bump caps and high-visibility vests. The items available are listed in AZEIDK’s safety tools and PPE range. For the wider picture of PPE as the last tier of hazard control, see Personal Protective Equipment at Work: The Last Line of Defense.
Key takeaways
- The category code on a safety shoe (SB, S1, S2, S3 and others) states what it was tested for under EN ISO 20345:2022. Every safety shoe under this standard, SB included, has a toe cap tested at 200 J.
- On construction sites with nails and steel, look for puncture protection (P, PL or PS) and a cleated outsole: S3 or equivalent.
- Standard coveralls are not flame-resistant or chemical-resistant unless designed and certified for that specific hazard.
- Cotton and fabric gloves are for light work. Mechanical protection is read from the EN 388 marking on the glove.
- Saudi Labor Law requires the employer to provide suitable PPE without charging workers for it.
In this article
- Safety shoes: what do S1 and S3 mean?
- Safety boots or low-cut safety shoes? Matching the site
- Coveralls and workwear: fabric, design and size
- Work gloves: from cotton and fabric gloves to cut-resistant gloves
- Helmets, bump caps and hi-vis vests
- Who is responsible for PPE in Saudi Arabia?
- PPE ordering checklist for a site crew
- Common buying mistakes
- PPE from AZEIDK
- Frequently asked questions
- Summary
Safety shoes: what do S1 and S3 mean?
The most widely used standard for safety footwear is EN ISO 20345, currently the 2022 edition. It sets basic requirements for every safety shoe, including a toe cap that withstands a 200 J impact, roughly a 20 kg mass dropped from about one metre. It then groups additional properties into categories. The code is usually printed inside the tongue or on the side of the shoe.
| Category | What it adds | Typically suits |
|---|---|---|
| SB | Basic requirements, including the toe cap | Limited, low-risk use |
| S1 | Closed heel with energy absorption, antistatic properties | Warehouses and dry factory floors |
| S1P / S1PL / S1PS | S1 plus a puncture-resistant insert: metallic (P) or non-metallic (PL or PS) | Dry areas where sharp objects may be present |
| S2 | S1 plus resistance to water penetration and absorption in the upper | Wet areas without a puncture hazard |
| S3 / S3L / S3S | S2 plus puncture resistance and a cleated (profiled) outsole | Construction, installation and outdoor work |
| S6 / S7 | S2 or S3 plus water resistance of the whole shoe (WR) | Very wet environments |
2022 changes you will see on the label
- Fuel and oil resistance is no longer part of categories S1 to S5. It now carries its own code, FO. If the floor has oil on it, look for FO explicitly.
- The old slip codes SRA, SRB and SRC are gone. A slip test on tile with a detergent solution is now a basic requirement, and SR means the shoe also passed an additional test on a glycerine-covered surface.
- Puncture resistance has three codes: P for a metallic insert, and PL and PS for non-metallic inserts tested with a 4.5 mm and a 3.0 mm nail respectively.
Safety boots or low-cut safety shoes? Matching the site
High-cut safety boots support the ankle on uneven ground and keep gravel and sand out. Low-cut shoes are lighter for warehouses, workshops and long walking on level floors.
Toe cap: steel, composite or aluminium?
Toe caps come in steel, composite or aluminium depending on the model. All must pass the same 200 J test to carry the safety marking, so the material does not change the minimum protection. The differences are weight, comfort and price, read from each model’s datasheet. Where workers pass through metal detectors, note that a composite toe cap is non-metallic.
Outsole and puncture protection
On a site with formwork timber, nails and rebar offcuts, puncture protection is essential. Choose the outsole pattern for the ground: deep cleats for soil and gravel, and the SR code for smooth floors in commercial kitchens and food plants.
| Work environment | What to look for in safety shoes |
|---|---|
| Construction and outdoor work | S3 (or S3L / S3S), usually high-cut, cleated sole |
| Warehouse and logistics | S1 or S1P, light weight, slip resistance |
| Workshop with oil and fuel | FO code with slip resistance, preferably SR |
| Fire protection and MEP installation | S3 on a project under construction, S1P in occupied buildings |
Fit is part of safety. Collect each worker’s actual size rather than estimating, and try shoes at the end of the day with the socks worn on site.
Coveralls and workwear: fabric, design and size
A coverall is a one-piece garment covering the whole body, preferred where dust and grease are heavy. A two-piece work suit is easier for daily wear.
Fabric
- Cotton: absorbs sweat and is comfortable in the heat, but creases and fades faster.
- Polyester: durable and quick-drying, but less breathable.
- Poly-cotton blend: a common compromise for daily work.
Ask for the blend ratio and fabric weight in writing. A trade name alone is not enough to compare two quotes.
When a standard coverall is not enough
A cotton or blended coverall is not flame-resistant, arc-rated or chemical-resistant unless it is designed and certified for that hazard, with a label naming the standard. Where work involves welding, spark-producing cutting or exposed electrical panels, the risk assessment decides which certified garment is required.
Choose pockets and tool loops to suit the trade, and add reflective bands for anyone working near plant or vehicles. Company logos and employee names can be printed or embroidered, which helps identify contractor teams on site.
Work gloves: from cotton and fabric gloves to cut-resistant gloves
| Type | Suitable for | Not suitable for |
|---|---|---|
| Cotton gloves | Light handling, clean work, as a liner | Sharp edges, chemicals, heat |
| Fabric gloves (plain or dotted) | Moving cartons and light items with better grip | Sharp sheet metal, oil |
| Nitrile or PU coated | Assembly and grip on lightly oily parts | Immersion in chemicals |
| Leather | Heavy handling, steel and timber | Fine work |
| Cut-resistant | Sheet metal, glass, sharp edges | Chemicals, unless certified for them |
How to read the EN 388 marking
EN 388 (2016 with the 2018 amendment) covers mechanical risks. Next to the pictogram are five characters in order: abrasion (1 to 4), circular blade cut (1 to 5), tear (1 to 4), puncture (1 to 4), and the TDM straight-blade cut test under ISO 13997, shown as a letter from A to F. An X means the test was not performed, and a P may appear if the glove passed the impact test. Where sharp edges are the hazard, look at the TDM letter first.
Chemicals and heat
Chemical-resistant gloves are chosen under EN ISO 374-1, which classifies gloves as Type A, B or C by how many test chemicals they resisted and for how long. Heat and flame protection is read from EN 407. In both cases, match the actual chemical or heat source to the manufacturer’s table.
One warning: gloves increase the risk of entanglement near rotating machinery, and machinery safety guidance from the Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland (HSENI) says wearing them near rotating parts such as metal-working lathes is never acceptable.
Helmets, bump caps and hi-vis vests
Safety helmet or bump cap?
An industrial safety helmet to EN 397 protects against falling objects and is the requirement on construction sites, under cranes and near scaffolding. A bump cap to EN 812 protects against striking fixed objects such as low ceilings, ducts and racking, and must not replace a helmet wherever objects may fall. It suits maintenance technicians in existing buildings and warehouse staff.
High-visibility vests
EN ISO 20471 sets three classes of high-visibility clothing by minimum area of fluorescent background and retroreflective tape:
| Class | Fluorescent material (min.) | Retroreflective tape (min.) |
|---|---|---|
| Class 1 | 0.14 m² | 0.10 m² |
| Class 2 | 0.50 m² | 0.13 m² |
| Class 3 | 0.80 m² | 0.20 m² |
The site risk assessment sets the class required, based on vehicle movement around the worker. Classification varies from model to model, so ask for it on the label or datasheet.
Who is responsible for PPE in Saudi Arabia?
Article 122 of the Saudi Labor Law requires the employer to take the precautions needed to protect workers, and bars charging workers or deducting from their wages for that protection. Article 123 requires the employer to inform workers of the risks of their job and to provide suitable PPE and training in its use. Article 124 in turn requires workers to use the protective means provided for each task and to look after them.
On the product side, SASO’s Technical Regulation for Personal Protective Equipment and Clothing covers footwear, gloves, helmets and protective clothing, and requires a certificate of conformity from an accepted conformity assessment body. The conformity steps are covered in our PPE article, and for building a safety management system see the ISO 45001 guide.
PPE ordering checklist for a site crew
- List the hazards of each trade: carpenter, steel fixer, installation technician, warehouse worker.
- Specify the safety shoe category per trade (for example S3 for construction, S1P for the warehouse) and extra codes such as FO or SR.
- Specify the glove type and the EN 388 or EN ISO 374-1 rating required, not just “gloves”.
- Specify coverall fabric, colour, reflective bands and logo; helmet or bump cap; and hi-vis class.
- Collect actual sizes for every worker, plus spare stock.
- Ask for the datasheet or label showing the standard and category for each item.
Common buying mistakes
- Buying safety shoes without puncture protection for a construction crew.
- Assuming every S1 or S3 shoe is oil-resistant, although FO became a separate code in 2022.
- Issuing cotton gloves to workers handling sheet metal or glass.
- Using a bump cap under scaffolding or a crane instead of a helmet.
- Treating a standard coverall as flame-resistant.
- Ordering estimated sizes, so workers take off uncomfortable PPE during the shift.
PPE from AZEIDK
AZEIDK’s safety equipment range includes Coverguard products: professional safety shoes in several models that differ in toe cap, outsole and additional features, a high-visibility safety vest and a protective bump cap. We also supply a professional workers’ suit and coveralls in several designs and colours, work gloves of all common types, and safety shoes from other brands as available. Because category and rating vary by model, we send the catalogue or datasheet for the chosen model before ordering.
AZEIDK branches sell to individuals and projects, and AZEIDK holds ISO 45001 certification for occupational health and safety management.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between S1 and S3 safety shoes?
S1 has a toe cap, an energy-absorbing heel and antistatic properties. S3 adds water resistance in the upper, puncture protection and a cleated outsole, which makes it the usual choice for construction sites.
Is a composite toe cap less protective than steel?
Not in testing terms. Both must pass the 200 J impact to carry the safety marking. The differences are weight, comfort and price, which the datasheet for each model shows.
Which safety boots suit a construction site?
Look for S3, S3S or S3L, high-cut, with a cleated sole. Add SR for smooth floors or FO where there is oil.
Do cotton gloves protect against cuts?
Cotton and fabric gloves are meant for light handling. For sharp edges, choose a glove with an EN 388 marking and a suitable cut level, and check the TDM letter.
Can an employer deduct the cost of workwear from wages?
Article 122 of the Saudi Labor Law bars the employer from charging workers or deducting from wages for providing protection, and Article 123 requires the employer to provide suitable PPE.
When is a bump cap enough instead of a helmet?
Only when the sole hazard is striking fixed objects such as low ceilings. If anything could fall, an industrial safety helmet is required.
Summary
Choosing safety shoes, coveralls and work gloves starts with each worker’s task and its hazard, then translates into codes on the product: the shoe category, the glove rating and the vest class. Buyers who specify those codes compare quotes clearly and get PPE that workers actually keep on.
Equipping a new crew? Send us headcount, tasks and sizes, and we will propose shoe categories, glove types and coveralls with the catalogue for each item. Contact the AZEIDK team
