NITRAS SAFETY | Slip resistance

WHY SLIP RESISTANCE IS SO IMPORTANT IN SAFETY FOOTWEAR

Slip resistance in safety footwear is a crucial factor for safety in the workplace. Especially on wet, oily or slippery surfaces, a slip can quickly lead to serious accidents.

However, not all safety footwear offers the same level of grip. Terms such as SRA, SRB, SRC and SR often cause confusion, even though they play a vital role in the selection process. The right slip resistance ensures that employees can stand securely, move with stability and avoid accidents.

But what do these classifications actually mean – and which one is suitable for which application?

WHAT DO SRA, SRB, SRC AND SR MEAN IN SAFETY FOOTWEAR?

The slip resistance of safety footwear is tested in accordance with the EN ISO 20345 standard and labelled accordingly. The abbreviations SRA, SRB, SRC and SR indicate the conditions under which the footwear was tested.

An overview of the markings:

+ SRA: Tested on ceramic tiles with soapy water – typical for smooth indoor areas

+ SRB: Tested on steel flooring with glycerine – relevant for oily or industrial environments

+ SRC: Combination of SRA and SRB – meets both requirements

+ SR: New marking in accordance with the current standard EN ISO 20345:2022 – tested on ceramic tiles with glycerine, thereby simulating more realistic conditions for slippery surfaces than the previous steel test (SRB)

Important: The previous standard EN ISO 20345:2011, which included the classifications SRA, SRB and SRC, has been replaced by the new standard EN ISO 20345:2022. Consequently, only the new SR classification applies today, which is based on a standardised test procedure.

WHICH ANTI-SLIP CLASSIFICATION IS SUITABLE FOR WHICH APPLICATION?

Choosing the right anti-slip classification – whether SRA, SRB, SRC or SR – depends heavily on the intended use. Different working environments place different demands on grip.

Typical areas of use:

+ Industry & workshops: SRC or SR for versatile requirements

+ Food industry: SRC or SR for high slip resistance on wet floors

+ Logistics & warehouses: SRA or SRC depending on the surface

+ Oily environments: SRB or SRC for better grip on slippery surfaces

+ Outdoor areas: Profiled soles + SR for uneven terrain

Basic rule: The higher the risk posed by wetness, oil or slippery floors, the more important it is to have comprehensive slip resistance (SRC or SR).

COMMON MISTAKES WHEN CHOOSING SAFETY FOOTWEAR

In practice, slip resistance is often underestimated or misjudged.

Typical mistakes:

+ Choosing based on appearance rather than function

+ Misjudging the surface

+ Confusing the SRA, SRB, SRC and SR markings

+ Using footwear without adequate slip resistance

The result: unstable footing and an increased risk of accidents in everyday working life. Therefore, the right slip resistance is not an extra, but a key component of safety.

UNDERSTANDING SLIP RESISTANCE – WORKING SAFELY

The SRA, SRB, SRC and SR classifications help you choose the right safety footwear. If you understand the differences, you can better assess risks and find the right footwear for the job at hand.

It is important to note that the previous classifications SRA, SRB and SRC originated from the earlier standard EN ISO 20345:2011. Under the new standard EN ISO 20345:2022, this system has been replaced by the SR classification. In future, safety footwear will therefore only be tested and classified as SR.

After all, it is not just the footwear itself – but above all the right grip – that determines safety in the workplace.