Acton safety footwear are designed to meet the highest safety standards. Learn about the different CSA certification symbols and the work environments for which each is intended.
1. Green Triangle (CSA Z195)
The green triangle indicates that the footwear is equipped with a puncture-resistant midsole in addition to a protective toe cap. The midsole is designed to withstand a minimum force of 1200 newtons, while the toe cap can absorb impacts up to 125 joules. This is a common requirement in many workplaces, which is why this protection is found on the majority of work footwear.
2. Orange Omega Symbol (Ω)
The orange logo with the Greek letter "omega" indicates that the footwear provides protection against electric shock. It is designed to withstand up to 18,000 volts with a leakage current not exceeding 1 milliampere. Known as ESR certification, this protection is widespread—just like the Green Triangle—and appears on most safety footwear.
3. Blue Rectangle
The CSA Blue Square certification indicates that the footwear has a protective toe cap but lacks a puncture-resistant sole. The toe cap is designed to withstand impacts up to 125 joules. If puncture resistance is not required in your work environment, this option represents a practical alternative to Green Triangle models. It is mainly used in indoor settings, such as warehouses. Footwear without puncture-resistant soles are often more flexible and lighter than Green Triangle-certified ones.
4. Yellow Square (Antistatic)
The SD (Static Dissipative) certification is an alternative to the CSA ESR standard—a footwear cannot be certified for both at the same time. This designation indicates that the sole contains an antistatic compound capable of safely dissipating electrostatic charges. To obtain this certification, the footwear must demonstrate an electrical resistance between 10⁶ and 10⁸ ohms, measured under 500 volts for 5 seconds. This type of protection is especially valuable in environments sensitive to static electricity, such as data centers, tech facilities handling servers, or the automotive industry.
5. Grey Rectangle with an M (Metatarsal Protection)
The grey symbol bearing the letter "M" on a footwear indicates the presence of metatarsal protection, designed to withstand impacts of 101.7 joules. This protection covers the top of the foot and is essential in certain professions where the risk of falling objects is high. Welders, miners, glaziers, and mechanics, for example, often require this type of protection to work safely.
6. Purple Square (Hourglass)
The purple square with an hourglass symbol indicates that the footwear is equipped with a protective toe cap intended to offer temporary protection against impacts to the front of the foot. This type of certification is designed for short-term or occasional use, in situations where basic protection is needed without requiring full safety footwear. It’s a practical solution for visitors or brief interventions in hazardous zones. This certification typically applies to overshoes that temporarily turn regular footwear into safety footwear.
Conclusion
Acton CSA-certified safety footwear provide high-level protection for workers across a wide range of environments. With models tailored to each certification, you can ensure your safety while meeting the demands of the most rigorous workplaces.