Standardization News

Recently approved revisions to three footwear standards align them with each other, helping test laboratories and users have greater confidence that product conformance reports will include the most current corresponding data for both testing and performance.

One of the revised standards covers test methods for foot protection (F2412). The remaining two arespecifications for performance requirements for both protective (safety) toe cap footwear (F2413) and soft-toe protective footwear (non-safety) (F2892).

Specifically, ASTM International’s committee on pedestrian/walkway safety and footwear (F13) made these updates:

• Updated section on protective toe types and testing;
• Improved definitions of product categories; and
• Stipulated information required to be part of product conformance testing.

According to ASTM International member Bill Ells, vice president of sales at Vibram USA, the revised standards will be used by shoe and boot manufacturers, testing laboratories, and safety directors at factories and other workplaces who are responsible for safety-footwear compliance for employees (as required by government agencies such as the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration).

ASTM welcomes participation in the development of its standards. Become a member at www.astm.org/JOIN. The next meeting of ASTM International committee on pedestrian/walkway safety and footwear is Jan. 28-29, 2019, in Houston, Texas.