Understanding the Test Methods that Govern Foot Protection

This is the second post in a four-part series providing an overview of Tyndale’s boot program along with the applicable industry standards – ASTM F2412, ASTM F2413, and ASTM F2892. In this post we provide an overview of ASTM F2412, Standard Test Methods for Foot Protection.

ASTM F2412 is the Standard Test Methods for Foot Protection. This standard outlines the test methods that measure resistance of footwear to hazards that may result in worker injury. Test methods ensure compliance to minimum performance requirements established by safety standard, ASTM F2413, Standard Specification for Performance Requirements for Protective (Safety) Toe Cap Footwear.

Replacing the specification ANSI Z41, ASTM F2412 provides test methods to be used to determine any one or all of the following:

• The effectiveness of Impact resistance (I) for the toe area of footwear
• The effectiveness of Compression resistance (C) for the toe area of footwear
• The effectiveness of Metatarsal impact protection (Mt), reducing the chance of injury to the metatarsal bones at the top of the foot.
• The effectiveness of Conductive properties (Cd), which reduce hazards that may result from static electricity buildup and the possibility of ignition of explosives and volatile chemicals.
• The effectiveness of Electric Hazard protection (EH) by stepping on a live wire.
• The effectiveness of Static dissipative properties (SD) to reduce hazards due to excessively low footwear electrical resistance that may exist where SD footwear is required.
• The effectiveness of Puncture resistance (PR) of footwear.

Note: Description of protective properties paraphrased from ASTM F2412. 

According to the standard, “Footwear shall be constructed and manufactured so that a protective toe cap is an integral and permanent part of the footwear.” Changes to the original components of safety toe footwear, such as replacing or adding footbeds or inserts may result in non-compliance.

This standard also provides examples of proper labeling requirements of footwear with protective toe cap. Proper labeling is essential to ensure the wearer has identified footwear that meets the required minimum performance of this specification.

ASTM F2412 was last updated in 2011. Updated every five years, a new edition of the standard is expected this year.

Stay tuned for our next post in this series which explores the performance requirements in in established safety standard, ASTM F2413, Standard Specification for Performance Requirements for Protective (Safety) Toe Cap Footwear.

Did you know Tyndale offers a managed boot program, where all boots are vetted for compliance with applicable industry standards – ASTM F2412 and ASTM F2413? View our previous post in this series, containing information on Tyndale’s flexible boot program management for your employees. Contact your Tyndale National Account Manager to discuss how you can add boots to your FR clothing program or to further discuss staying safe with proper foot protection.