Safety Boot Ratings Explained: SB, S1, S2, S3 Under Australian Standards

Safety footwear forms part of personal protective equipment across many Australian workplaces. In numerous industries, footwear must meet recognised safety standards before it is permitted on site.

While many workers understand that safety boots must be certified, uncertainty often arises when checking the internal label. Instead of seeing a full standard reference, workers commonly find short codes such as SB, S1, S2, S3, or SRC printed inside the boot.

These markings are not marketing terms. They are classification codes used to communicate how footwear has performed under Australian safety testing standards.

This article explains what those ratings mean, how they are defined under Australian standards, and how they are interpreted within workplace safety systems. The purpose of this guide is educational only. It explains what the standard says and how its classifications are structured.

Why Safety Boot Ratings Exist

Safety boot ratings provide a consistent method for identifying footwear that meets defined safety performance criteria.

Workplace hazards such as falling objects, compression forces, sharp debris, and slippery surfaces present ongoing risks across many industries. Rather than relying solely on appearance, standards-based testing allows footwear to be assessed using repeatable laboratory procedures.

Ratings communicate these testing outcomes clearly. They do not indicate comfort, fit, or suitability for every task. Their role is to confirm whether specific safety requirements have been met.

How Safety Footwear Is Defined Under Australian Standards

In Australia, occupational protective footwear is commonly assessed under AS/NZS 2210.3, the Australian and New Zealand Standard for safety footwear.

This standard establishes:

• How footwear must be tested
• Which hazards are assessed
• The minimum performance thresholds required
• How classification markings are applied

Footwear that meets the criteria outlined in the standard may be assigned a safety rating that appears on the internal label.

These ratings allow safety officers and site supervisors to interpret compliance without reviewing full technical documentation.

Why Safety Boot Labels Use Classification Codes

The full wording of the standard does not usually appear on safety footwear.

Instead, simplified codes indicate which sections of the standard the footwear has passed. This system allows quick identification during inspections and supports consistent interpretation across different workplaces.

Understanding these codes helps explain what has been tested and what has not.

Common Safety Ratings Found on Boot Labels

Safety footwear ratings follow a structured hierarchy. Each level includes the requirements of the previous level, with additional performance criteria added.

The most common classifications include SB, S1, S2, S3, S4, and S5.

SB Safety Rating

SB represents the base classification for safety footwear.

Under this rating, the footwear has passed testing for:

• Protective toe impact resistance
• Compression resistance

This confirms that the toe area meets minimum protection thresholds defined under Australian standards.

No additional safety features are included within this classification.

S1 Safety Rating

S1 builds upon SB requirements.

In addition to toe protection, S1 footwear has passed testing for:

• Antistatic performance
• Energy absorption in the heel

These criteria relate to conditions commonly found in indoor or controlled work environments.

S2 Safety Rating

S2 includes all S1 requirements and adds:

• Water-resistant upper material testing

This classification indicates that the upper has demonstrated resistance to moisture penetration under defined laboratory conditions.

Water resistance under the standard does not indicate full waterproof construction.

S3 Safety Rating

S3 is one of the most frequently referenced safety classifications in Australian workplaces.

It includes:

• All S2 requirements
• Puncture-resistant midsole testing
• Enhanced outsole performance criteria

This rating reflects environments where sharp objects or uneven ground may be present.

Understanding S4 and S5 Safety Ratings for Moulded Footwear

Australian standards also define classifications for footwear manufactured entirely from moulded materials such as rubber, PVC, or polymer compounds. This category is commonly referred to as Class II safety footwear.

Because moulded boots are formed as sealed units, they behave differently from leather or textile footwear and are assessed under separate classifications.

S4 Safety Rating Explained

The S4 classification represents the moulded equivalent of an S1 rating.

Under Australian standards, S4 footwear includes:

• Certified protective toe cap
• Antistatic performance
• Energy absorption in the heel

Due to their construction, S4 boots are inherently waterproof under normal working conditions.

This classification is commonly associated with wet or wash-down environments where liquid exposure is constant, but underfoot penetration hazards are limited.

S5 Safety Rating Explained

S5 represents the highest level of protection for moulded safety footwear.

In addition to all S4 requirements, S5 footwear includes:

• Puncture-resistant midsole testing
• Enhanced outsole design

This classification is relevant in environments where both liquid exposure and sharp underfoot hazards coexist.

Understanding S1P and Related Variations

Some safety boots display variations such as S1P.

This classification indicates:

• S1-level protection
• Puncture-resistant midsole testing

It does not include requirements for a water-resistant upper.

These variations exist to communicate testing outcomes rather than intended use.

Understanding Slip Resistance Ratings on Safety Boot Labels

Slip resistance is assessed separately from toe protection under safety footwear testing.

As a result, slip ratings often appear alongside S-classifications on safety boot labels. These markings indicate how the outsole performed during controlled laboratory testing on specific surfaces.

SRA Slip Resistance Rating

SRA indicates that the outsole was tested on:

• Ceramic tile surfaces
• Wetted with a dilute soap solution

This test simulates smooth indoor environments with moisture.

SRB Slip Resistance Rating

SRB indicates testing on:

• Smooth steel surfaces
• Treated with glycerol to simulate oily conditions

This test reflects environments where lubricants or oils may be present.

SRC Slip Resistance Rating

SRC represents the highest slip resistance classification.

It confirms that the outsole has passed both SRA and SRB tests under laboratory conditions.

How Slip Ratings Are Interpreted Under the Standard

Slip resistance ratings communicate test performance only.

They do not predict slip behaviour in every real-world situation, as factors such as surface wear, contaminants, footwear condition, and maintenance all influence traction.

Slip ratings are therefore reference indicators, not guarantees.

What Safety Ratings Confirm

Safety ratings confirm that:

• Defined laboratory testing has been completed
• Minimum performance thresholds have been met
• Footwear has been classified under recognised criteria

They provide a structured way to communicate compliance outcomes.

What Safety Ratings Do Not Measure

Safety ratings do not assess:

• Comfort or cushioning
• Foot shape suitability
• Breathability or temperature regulation
• Long-term wear experience

These aspects fall outside the scope of Australian standards.

Why Footwear With the Same Rating Can Differ

The standard defines performance thresholds, not construction methods.

Different manufacturers may meet the same requirements using different materials and designs. As a result, footwear with identical ratings may differ in structure, weight, or internal configuration.

This variation does not affect classification if the testing criteria are satisfied.

Where Safety Ratings Are Displayed

Safety classification markings are typically located:

• On the tongue label
• On an internal stitched tag
• Within the boot lining

These markings are used during workplace inspections to verify compliance classification.

Common Misunderstandings About Safety Boot Ratings

• A higher rating does not indicate suitability for all environments
• A rating does not replace site-specific risk assessment
• Certification does not guarantee workplace approval
• Comfort and compliance are assessed separately

Understanding these distinctions clarifies the purpose of the standard.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do safety ratings indicate workplace approval?

No. Ratings communicate testing outcomes. Workplace policies determine approval.

Are all safety boots tested using the same procedures?

Yes. Testing methods are defined under Australian standards.

Do safety ratings expire?

Ratings do not expire, though worn footwear may no longer be acceptable.

Do ratings indicate how long boots will last?

No. Durability over time is not assessed under the standard.

Conclusion

Safety boot ratings indicate how footwear has performed under Australian safety testing standards. They provide a consistent framework for identifying which performance criteria have been met during assessment.

You can explore men’s and women’s safety boots that are supplied with manufacturer compliance information referencing recognised Australian safety standards. Always confirm site induction requirements and employer PPE policies before selecting footwear for work.

Disclaimer

All information in this article is based on publicly available Australian standards and general safety guidance. Workplace requirements may vary depending on site policies and risk assessments. Always follow employer instructions and site induction requirements when applying personal protective equipment standards.