A Complete Guide to Safety Boot and Work Shoe Standards
If you’ve ever shopped for safety boots or work shoes, you’ve likely seen the code ASTM F2413 stamped on a tag, label, or tongue. But what exactly does it mean and why does it matter?
ASTM F2413 is the gold standard for testing and certifying protective footwear in the United States. Whether you’re on a construction site, working in manufacturing, climbing scaffolding, or handling live electrical wires, this standard tells you whether your work boots or safety shoes are truly designed to protect you.
What Does ASTM F2413 Mean?
The full name is:
ASTM F2413 – Standard Specification for Performance Requirements for Protective (Safety) Toe Cap Footwear
Developed by ASTM International (formerly the American Society for Testing and Materials), this standard outlines the minimum performance requirements for protective toe footwear used in workplace environments.
In other words: if your work boots or safety shoes meet ASTM F2413, they’ve passed rigorous tests that confirm they can handle hazards like impact, compression, puncture, and electrical shock.
Where You’ll See ASTM F2413 in Use
- Construction work boots
- Electrician safety shoes
- Warehouse work shoes
- Factory footwear
- Outdoor jobsite boots
- Composite toe and steel toe safety boots
Many U.S. employers (especially in high-risk industries) require that workers wear ASTM-compliant boots or shoes on the job.
How to Read the ASTM F2413 Label
ASTM-certified safety boots will include a 4-line code stitched or printed inside the footwear, typically under the tongue or on the lining. Here’s how it breaks down:
Line 1 – The Standard Version
Example: ASTM F2413-18
- This tells you which version of the standard your footwear meets.
- “-18” means the boots meet the 2018 revision of ASTM F2413 (currently the most recent).
Line 2 – Gender, Impact & Compression
Example: M I C or F I C
-
MorF= Male or Female -
I= Impact resistance -
C= Compression resistance
This line confirms your work boots meet toe protection standards — typically I/75 (impact of 75 ft-lb) and C/75 (2,500 lbs compression). The modern standard just lists I and C instead of repeating the numbers.
Line 3 – Additional Protective Features
If your boots or composite toe safety shoes have extra certifications, they’ll be listed here in the following order:
- Mt = Metatarsal protection
- Cd = Conductive protection
- EH = Electrical hazard protection
- SD = Static dissipative
-
PR = Puncture resistance
How Safety Boots Are Tested Under ASTM F2413
1. Impact Resistance (I)
- A 50 lb weight is dropped to deliver 75 foot-pounds of energy to the toe cap.
- The boot must maintain space between the cap and your toes:
- Men: 0.500 in (12.7 mm)
- Women: 0.468 in (11.9 mm)
2. Compression Resistance (C)
- The boot must withstand 2,500 lbs of compression without deforming or collapsing the toe box.
3. Electrical Hazard Protection (EH)
- EH-rated work boots are meant for secondary protection against live circuits.
- They must withstand 18,000 volts at 60 Hz for 1 minute with ≤ 1.0 milliampere leakage.
- The sole must not include any conductive materials like exposed nails or metal shanks.
4. Metatarsal Protection (Mt)
- Shields the upper foot from dropped tools or materials.
- Applies to the entire top of the foot, not just the toes.
5. Conductive (Cd) and Static Dissipative (SD) Protection
- Cd footwear is used where static buildup could cause explosions or damage.
- SD footwear slowly dissipates static to protect electronics and sensitive environments.
6. Puncture Resistance (PR)
- PR-rated safety boots include a plate in the sole that must resist a minimum of 270 pounds of nail force.
- The plate is also tested for corrosion resistance and 1.5 million flexes.
What ASTM F2413 Does Not Cover
- Slip resistance (though many work boots are independently tested for this)
- Aftermarket add-ons like external toe caps
- General comfort or ergonomic design
- Cold weather ratings (you’ll need separate insulation standards)
So while ASTM F2413 tells you about foot protection, it doesn’t cover things like insulation, slip grip, or foot fatigue, because those features vary by brand and model.
🇺🇸 ASTM F2413 and OSHA
Although ASTM is not a government agency, OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) in the U.S. recognizes ASTM F2413 as the national standard for protective footwear.
This means that if you're working in a hazardous jobsite and your employer requires safety shoes, they must comply with ASTM F2413.
Composite Toe Boots and ASTM
Yes. Composite toe safety boots can be ASTM-certified.
In fact, many composite toe work boots meet I/C/PR/EH standards just like steel toe boots. Composite materials like Kevlar, fiberglass, and carbon fiber are now advanced enough to match steel in safety performance while being lighter and non-conductive.
Summary: Why ASTM F2413 Matters in Work Boots and Safety Shoes
Whether you're working in construction, electrical, warehousing, landscaping, or industrial trades, ASTM F2413 certification is the best way to know your safety boots are actually safe.
Here’s what you get from ASTM-rated work footwear:
- Proven toe protection from heavy impact or crushing loads
- Optional puncture-resistant soles for debris-heavy jobsites
- Electrical hazard resistance to protect against voltage exposure
- A clear, standardized label showing exactly what your boots are built for
Always check the inside of your boots for the ASTM label before buying and avoid any footwear that just says “safety toe” without showing certification.
