Electricity, in its different forms, is commonplace on many jobsites today. Linemen, factory maintenance workers, and electricians are exposed to live (or potentially live) electrical circuits every day. Technicians, repair professionals, and assembly line workers might have to manage the buildup of static electricity in order to protect what they’re working on.
KEEN Utility offers EH, ESR, and ESD work footwear that add protection on the job, no matter which form of electricity might be encountered. What do these terms mean and how do they add safety to a workday?
The difference between Electrical Hazard- or Electric Shock Resistant-rated shoes and Electro Static Dissipative-rated shoes is an important distinction to understand. While EH-, ESR- and ESD-rated footwear might sound similar, the ratings offer very different types of safety protection.
What Is EH / ESR Footwear?
Electrical Hazard (EH)-rated shoes offer the same protection as Electric Shock Resistant (ESR)-rated shoes. They are built for working around live electrical circuits or wires and jobsites where live circuits are a potential safety hazard. EH-rated footwear is offered in the USA, while ESR-rated footwear is offered in Canada.
EH-rated boots and shoes offer a secondary source of protection when an outsole accidentally comes into contact with a live electrical circuit. They reduce the potential for electrical shock by adding an insulating layer between a live circuit and your foot. All of our EH and ESR-rated footwear have outsoles than withstand up to 18,000 volts at 60 Hz for at least one minute.
Our EH-rated boots and shoes are available in a wide range of styles for men and women. You will find traditional leather work boots like the KEEN Utility Cincinnati in an EH-rated build for men and women. In lighter-duty situations, the KEEN Utility Arvada for men and the KEEN Utility Lansing for women bring EH-rated protection to a lightweight, low-cut style. Or you can choose from a taller, more supportive, hiking boot-inspired style like the men’s Coburg or women’s Dover work boots.
Regardless of the EH style that suits your needs, all KEEN Utility EH- and ESR-rated footwear meet all applicable ASTM or CSA standards.
What Is ESD Footwear?
Electro Static Dissipative (ESD)-rated shoes—also known as Static Dissipative (SD)-rated shoes—are built to reduce excess static-electricity buildup as you walk and move around your jobsite or workspace. They allow any static charge to dissipate to the ground instead of being transferred from you to any materials, objects, or equipment in your workspace. You’ll find the term ESD used in the USA, and SD used in Canada — but the underlying technology is the same.
ESD footwear is designed for use in electronics, aerospace, and sensitive manufacturing applications where a static charge jumping from worker to equipment might cause damage. If you work in a server room, data center, or manufacturing facility where electrostatic charges can cause harm, you might need shoes with an ESD-rated outsole.
From warehouse to assembly line to laboratory, KEEN Utility has a wide range of ESD-rated footwear for men and women working in sensitive environments. A soft-toe sneaker style like the Arvada ESD for men and women offers breathable comfort and the energy return of a cushioned midsole for long days on your feet. Or look for our hiking-inspired Detroit and Atlanta Cool II styles for more ESD-rated shoes that prioritize comfort and safety.
The Right Shoes for the Job
KEEN Utility has safety-rated footwear to match most jobsites and workspace requirements. When working with or around live electrical circuits, look for shoes, work boots and sneakers that are Electrical Hazard (EH)-rated. When working in a sensitive manufacturing setting, look for shoes and sneakers that are Electro Static Dissipative (ESD)-rated.
