What makes a shoe your chainsaw protective safety boot?
EN ISO 17249, chainsaw protective footwear
Boots that comply with the EN ISO 17249 standard provide protection against hand-held chainsaws. All footwear in accordance to EN ISO 17249 must also comply with the requirements of EN ISO 20345, footwear used for general purpose.
Chainsaw protective footwear requires minimum measurements and a continuous protective area comprising the vamp, tongue and toe area (the safety toe cap).
Three levels of performance with varying resistance to chainsaw cutting are specified in EN ISO 17249, according to the different chainsaw speeds. Those speeds are the same as mentioned in EN ISO 11393:
| Levels of performance | Chain speed (m/s) |
|---|---|
| 1 | 20 |
| 2 | 24 |
| 3 | 28 |
Good grip on unstable grounds
In forestry, the surface might be slippery, full of vegetation and rocky. To avoid slip risks in all weather conditions, you need to select footwear with a comfortable sole that has a good slip-resistance and grip performance. The sole tread pattern and sole compound are both important for its slip resistance.
An example of a comfortable sole with a good grip is a Vibram® Teton sole. This type of sole is, for example, used in our Grizzly.This rubber sole is actually designed for mountaineering, has an open pattern and thanks to the channels on the sides of the sole, it drains liquids. That’s useful, as the sole should not get clogged with any waste or debris and should be cleaned regularly.
Prevent wet feet with a waterproof membrane
In order to keep your feet dry, many chainsaw boots have a membrane, that allows them to keep your feet dry and the boots breathable at the same time.
Do I need S3 safety boots in forestry?
In the forest, the use of safety footwear type SB will be sufficient. You don’t need antistatic protection, nor a midsole with puncture resistance. A type S3 is not necessary but the use depends on your risk analysis. As is the case with all safety footwear , the toecap withstands at least 200 J.
