What do the ASTM F2413 ratings on safety footwear mean?

Short answer: ASTM F2413 ratings are the multi-line code stamped inside protective footwear that certifies what the boot protects against. The marking names the standard (ASTM F2413-18), the gender and toe-protection tier (I/75 impact and C/75 compression), and any additional codes such as EH for electrical hazard, PR for puncture resistance, or Mt for metatarsal guard. ASTM F2413 is the consensus standard OSHA 29 CFR 1910.136 accepts for foot protection, and it superseded the older ANSI Z41.

ASTM F2413 safety footwear ratings explained: EH, PR, MT, SD, and more (2026 Guide)

Every compliant pair of safety footwear carries a small multi-line code stamped on the inside of the tongue or shaft, and that code is the only reliable proof of what the boot actually protects against. The marking is defined by ASTM F2413-18, Standard Specification for Performance Requirements for Protective (Safety) Toe Cap Footwear, with the underlying test methods set by ASTM F2412. ASTM F2413 replaced the older ANSI Z41 standard, so legacy Z41 references on spec sheets are out of date. For safety managers and procurement, reading this code line by line is what separates documented compliance from a boot that merely looks rugged.

This guide decodes the full ASTM F2413 marking — the standard line, the gender and toe-protection ratings, and every supplemental code from EH to Mt — and explains how each maps to a real workplace hazard. Whether you are sourcing steel toe boots for a warehouse or electrical hazard boots for a maintenance crew, the ASTM F2413 rating is the first thing on the purchase order to verify, because OSHA 1910.136 holds the employer responsible for the match.

Why this matters.
Mis-reading an ASTM F2413 marking is a direct compliance and injury exposure, not a cosmetic detail. A boot rated I/75 C/75 with no EH line gives no certified protection against energized circuits, and issuing it to an electrician leaves a documented gap an auditor can cite. OSHA enforces foot protection under 29 CFR 1910.136 and accepts ASTM F2413 as the consensus standard, so the marking inside the boot is the evidence a workplace hazard assessment was actually closed out with the correct PPE.

Part 1 — What ASTM F2413 is (and what it replaced)

ASTM F2413 is the U.S. performance specification for protective toe-cap footwear. It defines the minimum requirements a boot must meet to be marked as safety footwear and the code that communicates those ratings to the buyer. The current edition referenced on most markings is ASTM F2413-18.

ASTM F2413 vs. ASTM F2412

The two standards work as a pair. ASTM F2413 is the specification — the pass/fail requirements and the marking. ASTM F2412 is the test-methods standard that defines how impact, compression, electrical, and puncture resistance are actually measured in the lab. A boot is certified to F2413 using the procedures in F2412.

ASTM F2413 superseded ANSI Z41

The older standard was ANSI Z41, which was withdrawn and replaced by ASTM F2413. Procurement specs and manufacturer sheets that still cite Z41 are referencing a retired standard; current compliant footwear is marked to ASTM F2413. When evaluating how to choose safety boots, treat a Z41-only marking as a red flag to verify the actual rating.

Where OSHA fits

OSHA 29 CFR 1910.136 requires protective footwear wherever a foot-hazard assessment identifies a risk of falling or rolling objects, punctures, or electrical contact. OSHA does not write the footwear test itself — it accepts ASTM F2413 as the consensus standard, which is why the marking is the practical proof of compliance under the broader OSHA 1910.132 PPE requirements.

Part 2 — How to read the in-boot marking line by line

The ASTM F2413 marking has up to four lines stamped on the inside of the boot. Each line carries a distinct piece of information, and reading them in order tells you exactly what the footwear is certified to do.

Line 1 — the standard

The first line names the standard and edition, for example ASTM F2413-18. This confirms the boot is certified to the current specification rather than a withdrawn one. If this line is missing or reads ANSI Z41, the footwear is not marked to the current standard.

Line 2 — gender and toe protection

The second line begins with M (male) or F (female) and then the toe-protection ratings. I/75 means the toe cap passed impact resistance at 75 ft-lbf; C/75 means it passed compression resistance at 2,500 lbf. Together, M I/75 C/75 is the most common full-protection toe line.

Lines 3 and 4 — additional protection codes

The remaining lines list any supplemental codes the boot carries — EH, Cd, SD, PR, Mt, CS, or DI. A boot with no third or fourth line carries only toe protection; the additional hazards must be explicitly marked to be claimed. Never assume an unmarked feature is present.

Source: ASTM F2413-18. Toe ratings (I/C) carry numeric tiers; supplemental codes are letter-only.

Part 3 — The toe-protection tiers: I/75, C/75, I/50, C/50

Toe protection is the core of every ASTM F2413 boot, and it comes in two tiers. The number after the letter is the rating level, not a measurement you read off casually.

Impact resistance (I)

The I rating is impact resistance at the toe. I/75 withstands a 75 ft-lbf impact; the lower tier I/50 withstands 50 ft-lbf. Most modern protective footwear is rated I/75, the higher of the two tiers.

Compression resistance (C)

The C rating is compression resistance — a slow crushing load rather than a drop. C/75 withstands 2,500 lbf; the lower tier C/50 withstands 1,750 lbf. Impact and compression are tested and rated together, so a full-protection boot reads I/75 C/75.

Steel, alloy, or composite toe

The toe cap material does not change the rating: a steel, alloy, or composite cap can all meet I/75 C/75 if certified. Composite toe boots are non-metallic and lighter, which matters where metal detection or thermal conductivity is a concern, while steel toe boots remain the traditional choice. We will cross-link a dedicated steel-vs-composite comparison once it is live.

Part 4 — The electrical codes: EH, Cd, SD, and DI

The electrical family is the most misread part of the ASTM F2413 marking, because three of the codes look related but serve opposite purposes. Matching the right one to the job is critical for crews working around electricity or static-sensitive materials.

EH — Electrical Hazard

EH-marked footwear has a sole and heel built to insulate the wearer against open circuits up to 18,000 volts at 60 Hz under dry conditions. EH is secondary protection — a backup if primary safeguards fail, not a license to contact live conductors. It is the rating to look for on electrical hazard boots for electricians and maintenance crews, and it pairs with the broader arc-flash program under NFPA 70E.

Cd — Conductive (the opposite of EH)

Conductive footwear does the reverse of EH: it drains static charge from the body to ground. It is used in explosive-atmosphere and munitions areas where a static spark is the hazard. Cd footwear must never be worn for electrical work, because its low resistance offers no insulation against energized circuits.

SD and DI

SD (Static Dissipative) controls static buildup while retaining some electrical resistance, a middle ground used in electronics and clean assembly work. DI (Dielectric Insulation) is supplemental insulation. The key takeaway: EH insulates, Cd grounds, and SD sits between — confirm which one the job actually requires before ordering.

Part 5 — The mechanical codes: PR, Mt, and CS

Beyond toe and electrical protection, ASTM F2413 covers puncture, instep, and cut hazards with their own codes. These are the additions that tailor a boot to a specific trade.

PR — Puncture Resistant

A PR marking certifies a puncture-resistant plate or insole that resists a nail or sharp object driven through the bottom of the boot. It is the rating to specify for demolition, roofing, and any site littered with sharps. PR protects the sole, not the toe — it is a separate code from I/75.

Mt — Metatarsal

Mt (metatarsal) protection guards the top of the foot and instep from impact, the area a toe cap does not cover. It is specified for foundry, forging, and heavy-material-handling work where objects can strike behind the toes. A boot can carry Mt in addition to its toe rating.

CS — Cut/chain-saw resistant

CS marks footwear built to resist chain-saw contact, relevant to forestry and arborist work. Like the other supplemental codes, CS appears only when the boot is certified for it — pair it with cut-rated hand protection for a complete chain-saw PPE set.

Part 6 — Where footwear fits in the head-to-toe PPE program

Foot protection is one line in a full hazard assessment, and the same ASTM/ANSI logic governs the rest of the body. A compliant program documents a rated boot alongside every other exposure: head protection to ANSI Z89.1 (see the OSHA hard hat requirements), eye protection to ANSI Z87.1, hearing protection where noise exceeds limits, and respiratory protection where airborne hazards are present.

Slip and environmental ratings

Slip resistance and water ingress are separate selection factors layered on top of the ASTM F2413 protective rating. Slip resistant shoes address walking-surface hazards, while waterproof work boots handle wet environments — neither replaces the toe and supplemental codes, they complement them.

Working at height and high-visibility

Crews working at height combine rated footwear with fall protection — the harness, lanyard, and anchorage covered in the ABCDs of fall protection — and high visibility apparel where struck-by hazards exist. For contamination work, a full barrier such as the DuPont Tyvek 400 hood, boots, and coverall wraps the footwear in a disposable layer.

Part 7 — Worked example: reading a boot marking and spec'ing footwear for an electrician

Here is how a safety manager moves from an in-boot marking to a documented purchase decision for a maintenance electrician, using categories stocked on this site:

1. Read the marking line by line. You pull a candidate boot and find four lines stamped inside: ASTM F2413-18 / M I/75 C/75 / EH / PR. Line 1 confirms the current standard, line 2 confirms full male toe protection (75 ft-lbf impact, 2,500 lbf compression), and lines 3–4 add electrical-hazard and puncture resistance.
2. Confirm the rating matches the hazard assessment. The electrician's foot-hazard assessment lists energized circuits, heavy equipment, and a cluttered floor. The marking's EH covers the electrical exposure as secondary protection, I/75 C/75 covers struck-by and crushing, and PR covers sharps. The boot's certified codes close every documented hazard.
3. Rule out the wrong electrical code. Verify the line reads EH and not Cd. A conductive (Cd) boot would drain static to ground and offer no insulation against energized circuits — the opposite of what an electrician needs. This single-letter check is the most common ASTM F2413 specification error. Source compliant pairs from the electrical hazard boots range.
4. Decide toe material against the work. For an electrician, a non-metallic cap avoids adding conductive metal at the toe, so a composite toe boot rated I/75 C/75 is often preferred over steel toe — both meet the same toe tier, so the choice is about weight and conductivity, not protection level.
5. Layer environmental and slip ratings. If the work is outdoors or wet, add waterproof construction and confirm slip resistant outsoles. These are selection factors on top of the ASTM F2413 rating, not substitutes for it.
6. Document the marking on the PPE record. Record the exact marking — ASTM F2413-18, M I/75 C/75 EH PR — against the hazard assessment so the file shows the certified codes that justified the purchase, satisfying OSHA 1910.136 and the broader 1910.132 program.

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The same marking-first method scales from one electrician to a full crew roster. Start from the safety footwear catalog and the how to choose safety boots guide to match each ASTM F2413 code to the hazards your assessment actually identified.

Frequently asked questions

What is ASTM F2413?

ASTM F2413 is the U.S. performance specification for protective (safety) toe-cap footwear. It defines the minimum impact, compression, and supplemental ratings a boot must meet and the code stamped inside it. The current edition is ASTM F2413-18, and it is the consensus standard OSHA 1910.136 accepts. Browse compliant safety footwear rated to it.

What is the difference between ASTM F2413 and ASTM F2412?

ASTM F2413 is the specification — the pass/fail requirements and the marking that appears on the boot. ASTM F2412 is the companion standard that defines the test methods used to measure impact, compression, electrical, and puncture resistance. A boot is certified to F2413 by passing the F2412 tests.

Did ASTM F2413 replace ANSI Z41?

Yes. ASTM F2413 superseded the older ANSI Z41 standard, which was withdrawn. Any spec sheet or boot still citing only ANSI Z41 is referencing a retired standard. Current compliant footwear is marked ASTM F2413, so treat a Z41-only marking as a prompt to verify the actual rating in our how to choose safety boots guide.

How do I read the marking inside a safety boot?

The ASTM F2413 marking has up to four lines. Line 1 is the standard (ASTM F2413-18), line 2 is gender plus toe ratings (for example M I/75 C/75), and lines 3–4 list supplemental codes such as EH, PR, or Mt. Read it top to bottom; any protection not printed is not certified to be present.

What does I/75 C/75 mean?

I/75 is impact resistance of 75 ft-lbf at the toe cap, and C/75 is compression resistance of 2,500 lbf. They are the higher of the two toe-protection tiers; the lower tier is I/50 (50 ft-lbf) and C/50 (1,750 lbf). Most modern protective footwear is rated I/75 C/75.

What does EH mean on work boots?

EH stands for Electrical Hazard. The sole and heel are built to insulate the wearer against open circuits up to 18,000 volts at 60 Hz under dry conditions. EH is secondary protection — a backup if primary safeguards fail — and is the rating to look for on electrical hazard boots for electrical work.

What is the difference between EH and conductive (Cd) footwear?

They are opposites. EH footwear insulates the wearer against energized circuits, while conductive (Cd) footwear drains static charge from the body to ground for explosive or munitions areas. Cd boots must never be used for electrical work because they offer no insulation. Confirm the marking reads EH, not Cd, for electricians.

What is static dissipative (SD) footwear?

SD footwear controls static buildup while retaining some electrical resistance, sitting between fully conductive and fully insulating. It is used in electronics assembly and clean environments where static damages product but full conductivity is not wanted. It is a distinct code from both EH and Cd on the ASTM F2413 marking.

What does PR mean on safety footwear?

PR stands for Puncture Resistant. The boot has a plate or insole built into the sole that resists a nail or sharp object driven through the bottom. It is specified for demolition, roofing, and cluttered sites. PR protects the underfoot area and is separate from the toe-cap impact rating.

What is metatarsal (Mt) protection?

Mt protection guards the top of the foot and instep — the area behind the toe cap — from impact. It is specified for foundry, forging, and heavy-material-handling work. A boot can carry Mt in addition to its I/75 C/75 toe rating; the codes stack on separate lines of the marking.

Are composite toes as protective as steel toes under ASTM F2413?

Yes. The toe-cap material does not change the rating — steel, alloy, and composite caps can all meet I/75 C/75 if certified. Composite toe boots are lighter and non-conductive, while steel toe boots are the traditional choice; both meet the same toe tier when marked I/75 C/75.

Does OSHA require ASTM F2413 footwear?

OSHA 29 CFR 1910.136 requires protective footwear wherever a foot-hazard assessment identifies a risk, and it accepts ASTM F2413 as the consensus standard. OSHA does not write the footwear test itself, but the ASTM F2413 marking is the practical proof of compliance under the broader OSHA 1910.132 PPE requirements.

Where is the ASTM F2413 marking located?

The marking is stamped on the inside of the boot, usually on the tongue or the inner shaft, as a small multi-line code. If you cannot find it, the footwear may not be certified to the standard. Always verify the marking exists and reads ASTM F2413 before recording the boot on a PPE compliance file.

What footwear codes does an electrician need?

An electrician typically needs EH (electrical hazard) for the energized-circuit exposure plus I/75 C/75 toe protection, and often PR for sharps. A non-conductive composite toe is frequently preferred. The EH code is critical — verify it reads EH and not Cd, and pair the footwear with the broader NFPA 70E arc-flash program.

Does ASTM F2413 footwear cover slip resistance or waterproofing?

No. Slip resistance and waterproofing are separate selection factors layered on top of the ASTM F2413 protective rating. Choose slip resistant shoes for walking-surface hazards and waterproof work boots for wet environments in addition to — not instead of — the toe and supplemental codes.

What does CS mean on safety footwear?

CS marks footwear built to resist chain-saw contact, relevant to forestry and arborist work. Like all supplemental codes, it appears only when the boot is certified for it. Pair CS footwear with cut-rated hand protection for a complete chain-saw PPE set.

How does footwear fit into a full PPE program?

Rated footwear is one line in a head-to-toe hazard assessment alongside head protection, eye protection, hearing protection, and respiratory protection. Each exposure gets its own rated item documented against the assessment under OSHA 1910.132.

Further reading on this site

• Safety footwear — the full catalog of ASTM F2413-rated protective boots and shoes.
• Electrical hazard (EH) boots — EH-marked footwear for electricians and maintenance crews.
• Composite toe boots — non-metallic I/75 C/75 caps, lighter and non-conductive.
• Steel toe boots — the traditional I/75 C/75 toe cap for general industry.
• How to choose safety boots — step-by-step selection beyond the marking codes.
• OSHA 1910.132 PPE requirements — the general hazard-assessment rule that frames footwear selection.
• NFPA 70E arc-flash safety — the electrical-safety program EH footwear supports.
• The ABCDs of fall protection — footwear pairs with harness and anchorage for work at height.