Overview
EN ISO 11393-3:2018 - "Protective clothing for users of hand‑held chainsaws - Part 3: Test methods for footwear" specifies standardized test methods to assess the resistance of footwear to cutting by hand‑held chainsaws. Published by CEN and identical to ISO 11393-3:2018, this part of the ISO 11393 series applies only to footwear with integral protection and defines how to prepare, mount and test samples to determine cut resistance and protective coverage.
Key topics
- Scope and applicability: Test methods are limited to footwear in which the chainsaw‑protective material is part of, or permanently attached to, the footwear (integral protection).
- Normative references: Tests reference ISO 11393-1 (test rig), ISO 17249 (sizing and protective area requirements for chainsaw-resistant footwear) and ISO 20344 (general footwear test methods).
- Test specimens: Required quantities differ by toecap type - separate sampling rules apply for footwear with steel toecaps and non‑steel toecaps; additional samples may be required for extra test cuts.
- Protective area verification: Uses a standardized sizing body for laced footwear to check that protective material covers the area defined in ISO 17249; reports must note any gaps or discontinuities and whether multiple materials are used.
- Cutting resistance tests: Procedures use the ISO 11393-1 test rig with specific footwear mounting devices and a defined test mount geometry. Tests include targeted cuts on the vamp, throat and leg regions, plus additional cuts where applicable (for example, footwear with non‑steel toecaps).
- Materials and mounting: Specifies filler material for footwear (e.g., dry peas), mounting base requirements, and restrictions so fixtures do not interfere with protective materials.
- Acceptance and reporting: Defines “cut‑through” (visible change on underside of the innermost layer) and requires detailed test reports documenting protective area coverage, cut locations and test results.
Applications
- Manufacturers of chainsaw‑resistant boots and safety footwear use EN ISO 11393-3:2018 to design, validate and certify products.
- Independent test laboratories and conformity assessment bodies apply these methods to evaluate compliance and classify footwear performance.
- Occupational safety managers, procurement specialists and PPE specifiers rely on test results from this standard to select footwear for forestry, arboriculture and other chainsaw‑use environments.
- Product developers use the standard to compare protective concepts (chain slipping, clogging, chain braking) and optimize materials/layouts.
Related standards
Keywords: EN ISO 11393-3:2018, chainsaw protective footwear, test methods, footwear resistance to cutting, integral protection, PPE testing, ISO 11393 series, ISO 17249.