CSA adds slip resistance to footwear standard update

The Canadian Standards Association has updated its CSA Z-195 Protective Footwear Standard to include slip-resistance or slip-resisting footwear.

The new edition of Z-195 sets out requirements for the communication or labeling of slip-resistance performance data on all safety footwear claiming to be slip-resistant, slip-resisting or anti-slip. In a statement, CSA said the new requirements were set after a test procedure based on a European standard has been agreed to by the footwear industry.

Also new to this latest edition are performance requirements and an impact test procedure for metatarsal (top-of-the-foot) guards, CSA said.

CSA’s Protective Footwear Standard has been around for more than 40 years. In the early ’70s, the familiar “green patch” was introduced – representing footwear having the highest level of toe and sole protection. In the ’80s, CSA added electric-shock resistance and metatarsal guards to the standard. In the ’90s, static dissipative and conductive footwear were added. In 2002, CSA widened the standard to include chainsaw protective boots.

“The release of this expanded standard is an important step forward in the protection of Canadian workers,” CSA said in a statement. “In the coming year, if a protective footwear product is certified as or claims to be CSA compliant, its metatarsal guards and its slip-resistant soles must be tested to the updated standard.”

Copies of the English-version of CSA-Z195-09 are available in hardcopy and electronic form from CSA’s online store at www.shopcsa.ca or by calling CSA sales desk at 1-800-463-6727.

The French version of Z195-09 will be available in March 2010.