Looking for the right CSA approved symbol for safety shoes or work boots?

With a variety of jobs comes different demands and standards for safety footwear. Safety footwear is designed to protect feet against a wide variety of injuries:  impact, compression, and puncture are the most common.  So choosing footwear according to the hazard to which you are most likely to be exposed is important. The options can seem overwhelming. Luckily following Canada’s specific standards established by the Canadian Standards Association (CSA) Standard Z195-14 (R2019) “protective footwear” will ensure safety standards are being met and workers are protected.

Have you ever wondered what those symbols on your safety boots or shoes mean? The CSA sets out specific safety criteria for all safety footwear and apparel purchased in Canada. These symbols (or markings) will help you determine which footwear is appropriate for the job required. For your safety and the safety of others, we encourage you to review these symbols to make sure you are selecting the right shoe for you or your employees. All our safety footwear are CSA approved.

Clarifying what “Green Patch” means. The first symbol/mark is the Green Triangle, commonly referred to as “Green Patch”. It’s the most common one looked for and required by a wide range of industries. Although it’s commonly associated with construction work, it actually means CSA approved for Grade 1 toe and also sole protection. Grade 1 means the footwear has a protective toe that will withstand impact up to 125 joules. It also has sole puncture protection is designed to withstand a force of not less than 1200 Newtons (122 kilos / 270 pounds)."Green patch" safety footwear and work boots can be worn in a wide range of industrial environments including light industrial workplaces like warehouses, big-box retail, truck drivers and couriers,  as well as heavier industries like manufacturing and construction.

Another misconception is that Green Triangle means “steel toe,” which is not the case. Safety shoes come in a wide range of toe protection including composite (or metal-free), aluminum and steel. The green triangle symbol simply means that the footwear is CSA approved to protect the toe and sole of the worker’s foot.

Here is a breakdown of what each label means. You can also find this CSA symbol summary on our web site.

Selection of Safety Footwear
Marking	Criteria	Intended Application
	Green triangle indicates sole puncture protection with a Grade 1 protective toe cap.	For industrial work environments, especially that of construction where sharp objects (such as nails) are present.
	Yellow triangle indicates sole puncture protection with a Grade 2 protective toe cap.	For light industrial work environments requiring puncture protection as well as toe protection.
	Blue rectangle indicates a Grade 1 protective toe cap with no puncture-resistant sole.	For industrial work environments not requiring puncture protection.
	Grey rectangle indicates a Grade 2 protective toe cap with no puncture-resistant sole.	For industrial and non-industrial work environments not requiring puncture protection.
	White rectangle with orange Greek letter omega indicates electric-shock protective footwear.	For industrial work environments where accidental contact with live electrical conductors can occur. Warning: Electrical shock resistance deteriorates with wear and in a wet environment.
	Yellow rectangle with black SD letters indicates static-dissipative footwear.	For industrial work environments where a static discharge can create a hazard for workers or equipment. Warning: This footwear should not be used where contact with live electrical conductors can occur.
	Yellow rectangle indicates sole puncture protection with a Grade 2 protective to ecap. (super-static dissipative footwear)	For industrial work environments where a static discharge can create a hazard for workers or equipment. Warning: This footwear should not be used where contact with live electrical conductors can occur.
	Red rectangle with white C letter indicates electrically conductive footwear.	For industrial work environments where low-power electrical changes can create a hazard for workers or equipment. Warning: This footwear should not be used where contact with live electrical conductors can occur.
	Dark grey rectangle with M letter indicates metatarsal protection. Note: Toe protection is required for all metatarsal protective footwear.	For industrial work environments where heavy objects can hurt the metatarsal region of the foot.
	White label with green fir tree symbol footwear provides protection when using chainsaws.	For forestry workers and others who work with or around hand-held chainsaws and other cutting tools.

 

For more information about CSA’s footwear safety symbols, please visit CCOHS. 

At Mister Safety Shoes, we are committed to helping workers get the best fitting, most comfortable safety shoes and work boots, so they remain productive and protected. We provide an end-to-end safety footwear management program for all sizes of businesses in Ontario and Alberta. Please contact our business solutions team if you are looking for a safety footwear program for your company.