FOR BIS USE ONLY Proposed

Draft Indian Standard

SPECIFICATION FOR

MEN AND WOMEN - LEATHER SAFETY / PROTECTIVE / OCCUPATIONAL BOOTS AND

SHOES
FOR
GENERAL INDUSTRIAL USE AND MINING WITH NITRILE RUBBER BOTTOM
(IS: 1989)

FOREWORD :-

Safety Boots & Shoes for workers in Heavy Metal Industries and for Mines were
covered under IS: 1989- Part- I & II
With technological developments in the field of various raw material and
manufacturing technology and with revised working environment as is prevailing on
date this specification is made incorporating performance requirement from IS: 15298-
2011 as amended till date.
Typical leather used for making leather sole with hobnail is almost extinct. To meet
requirement of underground non coal mines that is gold, copper, manganese mines etc
and also in work area of boiler / furnace / smelter etc. special reveted hobnail under
vulcanised moulded sole is provided for safe operation.

Nitrile sole bottom is provided for special work area like oil/ heat and to meet other
special type of requirements and also in cold condition.
In compliance with IS: 15298- 2011- toe cap to bear impact of 200 Joule and 100
Joule is provided as matching requirement.
Definitions:-

Safety footwear for professional use- footwear incorporating protective features to

protect the wearer from injuries which could arise through accidents in the working
sectors for which the footwear was designed to give protection against impact when
tested at an energy level of 200 J and compression at a load of at least 15 KN.

Protective footwear for professional use- footwear incorporating protective features

to protect the wearer from injuries which could arise through accidents in the working
sectors for which the footwear was designed to give protection against impact when
tested at an energy level of 100 J.

Occupational footwear for professional use – occupational footwear for professional

use are to be used by the wearer to protect the feet and to extend comfort during long
working hours.

Safety Boots are to be used by working person engaged in industrial work place
including mining in hard and dry surface.

Protective Boots are to be used by working person engaged in light duty work
including mining in hard and dry surface.
(1)
Occupational Boots are to be used by working person engaged in general work.

Safety Toe Cap – Footwear component built into the footwear designed to protect the
toes of the wearer from impacts up to an energy level of at least 200 J and compression
at a load of at least 15 KN.

Protective Toe Cap- Footwear component built into the footwear designed to protect
the toes of the wearer from impacts up to an energy level of at least 100 J.

1. SCOPE

This standard prescribes requirements and method of sampling and test for with
safety / protective and occupational footwear for protection of the users .

2. REFERENCES

The standards listed in Annex A contain provisions which though reference in this
text, constitute provisions of this standard. At the time of publication, the editions
indicated were valid. All standards are subject to revision and parties to agreements
based on this standard are encouraged to investigate the possibility of applying the
most recent edition of the standards, listed in Annex A.

3. TERMINOLOGY

For the purpose of this standard, the definitions given in IS 2050 shall apply.

4. TYPES

This standard covers two types of boots and shoes for use in industrial work places and
in special mining conditions in compliance with IS: 15298 – 2011.

Each of the above types of boots may be of the following designs:

Ankle Boots
Jodhpuri Shoes
Oxford / Derby shoes

However such footwear with modified design may also be made, as agreed to between
the purchaser and the supplier

5. GRADES

The shoe / boot shall be of three grades Group A, Group B, Group C depending upon
the manufacturing method of the shoes, as prescribed in Table

(2)
 Table 1 Classification of Grades
(Clause 5)

Grade -A Grade – B Grade- C

Handmade and Direct moulded / Bi- density / Bi- polymer

Moulded Bottom injected construction injection moulding

6. Requirements

All the types, grades and designs of the footwear shall be made from chrome tanned
upper leather with slip-resistant sole and heel in accordance with clause 3.2 of IS
15298- 2011 part – 2.

6.1 Fittings

Fittings of the footwear shall be in conformity to Table 9 of IS 1638 for men and Table
8 of IS 1638 for women.

6.2. Materials

6.2.1 Upper Material :

Printed Grain Leather or Corrected Grain Leather or Composite Leather Material for
upper as agreed to between manufacturer and purchaser – shall be used in compliance
with clause 5.4.3, 5.4.4, 5.4.6, 5.4.7, 5.4.9 of IS: 15298- 2011 (Part-2).

6.2.2 Lining Material :

Leather / any other combination including leather and as agreed to between

manufacturer and purchaser and in compliance with clause – 5.5.1, 5.5.2, 5.5.3, 5.5.4
& 5.5.5 of IS: 15298-2011 (Part-2I).

6.2.3 Tongue Material

Materials at tongue shall be as agreed to between manufacturer and purchase r and in

compliance with clause5.6.1, 5.6.2 & 5.6.3 of IS: 15298 (Part –2I).

6.2.4 Insole Material :

Insole Material will be leather / other composite material as agreed to between
manufacturer and purchaser and in compliance with clause 5.7.4.1& 5.7.5 of IS: 15298
(Part-2I).

(3)
When non leather Insocks are provided the same shall made clause 5.7.4.2 of 15298-
2011, part- 2.

6.3 Stiffener

Stiffener material shall be vegetable tanned sole leather splits (Type 1 of IS 7554).
Synthetic / leather board stiffener material may also be used if agreed to between the
purchaser and the supplier.

6.4 Safety / Protective Toe Cap

Safety / Protective toe cap as required for boot /shoe shall be used.

For protective Boot / Shoe, Steel Toe Cap conforming to IS 5852, Type- 1 or 2 also
may be used.

6.5 Lace

Nylon / Polyester as agreed to between purchaser and manufacturer with minimum

breaking load of 60 Kg is to be achieved when tested between 18 cm grip in
accordance with 9.1 of IS: 1969.

Colour of lace will be as agreed to between purchaser and manufacturer.

6.6 Shank

Rust proof shanks conforming to Type – 1 of IS 10945 may be used / Shank can also
be built in at the time of moulding.

6.7 Eyelet

Eyelet / D hook/ Buckle/ Rivet – suitable brass and /or metal coated with rust proof
finish is to be provided according to style/ design of footwear and in accordance with
agreement between manufacturer and purchaser.

6.8 Nitrile Rubber Bottom Sole

Sole will be manufactured from Nitrile Rubber Sole compound / or Nitrile blended
with PVC compound / or also in Bi-polymer construction with any other polymer and
will be moulded / injected / vulcanised, as the case may be.

6.8.1 All polymeric sole heel components shall confirm to Table 2 when tested as per
test method from made up footwear.

(4)
 Table 2 Physical requirements for polymeric components
(Clause 6.8.1)

Sl Characteristics Outer Sole Method of Test,

No Heel Ref to IS
(1) (2) (3) (4)

i) Relative density, (Max). 1.2 3400 (Part 9)

ii) Hardness 70±5 3400 (Part 2)

iii) Change in hardness after

accelerated ageing +5 3400 (Part 4)
100±2 °C for 24 h (IRHD) -2
When Rubber is polymer

7 Ageing of made up footwear

When Nitrile rubber used as a polymeric component for manufacturing boots or when
used in bi-polymer bottom, made up finished boots without the leather upper shall be
aged at 100± 2 °C for 24 hr.

On completion of test, all rubber components shall not develop any sign of tackiness or
brittleness.

8 Thickness of components

Thickness of outer sole heel of boot / shoe shall be in compliance clause 5.8.1 of IS
15298- 2011, part – 2.

Thickness of insole and insocks will be 2 mm., minimum.

9 Reinforcing Material

Reinforcing material in specific portion of upper to meet the performance requirement

of purchaser will be provided as per approved sample of purchaser and as agreed to
between manufacturer and purchaser.

(5)
10 Lasting tacks

Mild steel, rust proof, 12 ±1 mm and 10 ±1 mm long lasting tacks will be used while
lasting is done with the help of lasting tacks.

11 Construction

The boot / shoe shall be manufacturer in accordance with grade A, B & C as per clause
number 5 and shall not have any of the banned chemical as annexed vide.A.

Toe of the safety / protective boot shall be reinforced with toe cap as per definition of
safety / protective toe cap.

The upper shall be made with suitable stitching thread having minimum bearing
strength of 30 N. when tested between 50 cm grip in accordance with clause 9.1 of IS:
1969.

Safety / protective toe cap so used in manufacturing shall not come out or get exposed
during the entire service period of the footwear.

The design of sole heel will be as agreed to between manufacturer and purchaser.

On demand hobnail of steel at heel (horse shoe type with tips) and at toe steel carpel
shaped toe with tip and at breast of sole will be screw fitted and bolted and the tips are
to touch floor evenly and in balanced manner for specific purpose suiting types of
operation as an additional feature.

Bucket type sole so moulded can be bucket stitched with single row of stitching with
suitable thread so as to ensure non separation of upper and sole and as per agreement
between manufacturer and purchaser.

Two pairs of detachable insocks having minimum thickness of 2 mm each, made out
of rubber compound or polyurethane moulded having drill / twill / suitable textile on
top, are to be provided along with each pair of boot for alternate day use and to have
dry comfort, on demand.

Leather insocks can also be provided as agreed to between purchaser and

manufacturer.

Such insocks when tested in accordance with clause 5.7.4.2 of IS 15298- 2011, part 2,
the wearing surface shall not develop any holes before 25600 cycles in dry condition
and 12800 cycles in wet.

12 Leg Height

Leg Height of boot/ shoe shall be in accordance with clause 4-design A & design B, as
is applicable of IS 15298- 2011, part-2
(6)

13 Internal length of toe cap

For safety / protective boots, internal length of the toe cap shall meet clause 5.3.2.2 of
IS 15298 – part 2/ 2011 and will meet Table 5 of the said specification.

14 Impact Resistance of Boots

When safety boots are tested in accordance with the method described in IS 15298 –
part2 / 2011 vide clause 5.3.2.3 at an impact energy of at least 200 J, the clearance
under the toe cap at the moment of impact shall be in accordance with Table 6 of IS
15298- part 2 / 2011.

When protective boots are tested in accordance with the method described in IS 15298
– part2 / 2011 vide clause 5.3.2.3 at an impact energy of at least 100 J, the clearance
under the toe cap at the moment of impact shall be in accordance with Table 6 of IS
15298- part 2 / 2011.

In addition to above in both the types of boots i.e. safety and protective boots, after
said impact, the toe caps shall not develop any cracks on the test axis which go through
the material i.e. through which light can be seen.

15 Compression resistance of safety boots

When safety boots are tested in accordance with IS 15298 part – 2 / 2011, vide clause
5.3.2.4, the clearance under the toe cap at a compression load of 15 KN shall be in
accordance with table 6 of clause 5.3.2.3 of IS 15298 part- 2/ 2011.

16 Upper / outsole bond strength

When boots are tested in accordance with clause 5.3.1.2 of IS 15298 part- 2/ 2011, the
bond strength shall not be less than 4.0 N /mm for Grade - C boots and no less than 3.0
N/ mm for Grade- A & B.

17 Sole interlayer bond strength for Bi-polymer / Bi-density boots.

When boots are tested in accordance with clause 5.8.6 of IS 15298 – part- 2 / 2011, the
bond strength shall not be less than 4.0 N/mm unless there is tearing of the sole, and in
such case bond strength shall be no less than 3.0 N/mm for Grade- C and the bond
strength shall be no less than 3.0 N/mm for Grade- A & B.

18 Tear strength of outsole

When outsole are tested in accordance with clause 5.8.2 of IS 15298- part-2 / 2011,
tear strength shall be no less than 8 KN/m for material having density higher than 0.9
gm/ cm³ and 5KN/ m for material having density lower or equal to 0.9 gm/ cm³
(7)
19 Abrasion resistance of outsole

When outsole are tested in accordance with clause 5.8.3 of IS 15298- part- 2/ 2011, the
relative volume loss shall be no greater than 250 mm³ for materials having density 0.9
gm/ cm³ or less and not greater than 150 mm³ for materials with density greater than
0.9 gm/ cm³.

20 Hydrolysis test

When polyurethane is used for manufacturing of boots, the same is to be tested in

accordance with clause 5.8.5 of IS 15298 part 2 / 2011 and cut growth after such test
shall not be more than 6 mm before 150,000 flex cycles.

21 Flexing resistance of outsole

When outsole are tested in accordance with clause 5.8.4 of IS 15298 part 2 / 2011, the
cut growth shall be no greater than 4 mm before 30,000 flex cycles.

22 Resistance to hot contact – outsole

When outsole are tested in accordance with clause 6.4.4 of IS 15298 part 2 / 2011,
material shall not melt/ deform and shall not develop any crack when bent around the
mandrel.

23 Additional requirements for special applications

Against indent of purchaser, manufacturer will provide the below mentioned additional
requirements so as to meet working requirements.

i) Antistatic footwear

Boots shall comply table 14 of clause 6.1 of IS 15298 (part 2)- 2011

ii) Conductive footwear

Boots shall comply table 14 of clause 6.1 of IS 15298 (part 2)- 2011

iii) Electrically insulating footwear

Boots shall comply table 14 of clause 6.1 of IS 15298 (part 2)- 2011

iv) Resistance to acid & alkali

Boots shall comply Annex D (as per clause 5.2 of IS 13292-1993)

v) Resistance to cold
Boots shall comply table 14 of clause 6.1 of IS 15298 (part 2)- 2011

(8)
vi) Resistance to fuel oil

Boot shall comply clause 5.8.7 of IS 15298 (part 2)- 2011

24 Finish of boots

In appearance, general workmanship and in all other respect with regard to get up of
boots, they shall be matching the approved sample of the purchaser.

Packing of the finished goods will be as agreed between the purchaser and
manufacturer.

24.1 Marking
Each boot shall be permanently marked with the followings:
a) Size
b) Manufacturer’s name / brand
c) Year and month of manufacture
d) Number and year of the standard, based upon which Boots are produced.
e) Safety or protective boot or occupational.
f) Any other statutory marking.
All markings will be at inside of tongue or at outside & at the top of the face of the
boot, so that
least damage during operation including mining.

24.2 Information to be supplied

Each pair of boot shall be supplied with information in English and Hindi as follows.:

i) Name and full address of manufacturer

ii) Detail of customer care service provider
iii) Instruction for storage and maintenance
iv) Drying procedure of wet Boots and cleaning of Boots for proper service.
v) Obsolescence dead line or period of obsolescence.
vi) Declaration for application and statutory warning etc. for electrical resistance
boots and other specific special purposes etc.

(9)
Annexure A

Banned Chemical List :

The following chemicals will not be found in the product :

a) Chrome VI
b) PCP
c) Azo dyes
d) Formaldehyde
e) Heavy metals (Pb, Hg, etc.)

(10)