Frequently asked questions and answers about work clothing in the craft sector

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Does the employer have to provide the work clothes?

If certain items of clothing and protective equipment are required by law or help to protect the employee from injury, the employer must pay for the work clothing. The situation is different for clothing that the employee could also wear in his free time. 

What belongs to the work clothes?

In addition to clothing, work clothing also includes gloves, protective goggles or safety shoes. Depending on the occupational group, hearing protection also falls within the scope of workwear.

How much work clothing is the employee entitled to?

As a rule of thumb, about three sets of work clothes per employee. 

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The work as a craftsman or craftswoman is demanding. Nobody wants to work with bad tools. And in the same way, quality should also be taken into account when choosing work clothes. 

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Cut, forestry, flame and welding protection are among the most important properties of good protective clothing. It protects in two directions. On the one hand, it protects your employees from injury, and on the other hand, in sensitive areas such as paint work, it also protects the material from damage caused by unsuitable clothing. To achieve this, the workwear must not only be robust and durable, but also comfortable to wear. Specially covered seams and buttons prevent predetermined breaking points and ensure that your employee can wear the workwear for many years. Spacious pockets keep important tools close at ^hand1.

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In the skilled trades, work clothing is also protective clothing - and this must be paid for by the employer. In principle, the following applies: clothing that serves safety purposes and is prescribed by law must be provided to the employee. This also includes helmets, face masks and safety gloves. In addition, the employer is responsible for cleaning or repairing the protective clothing.

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How much must be provided by the employer?

Particularly in handitrade businesses, some items of clothing and other utensils accrue because they are required by law. These mostly include:

• Head protection
• Eye protection
• Respirators
• Hearing protection
• Knee pads
• Disposable protective clothing
• Safety gloves
• Work shoes
• Guild ^clothing2

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They are an important part of the equipment and protect against serious injuries: Safety shoes. In the past, they were not very popular because of their discomfort, but today things have changed. 

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When must safety shoes be worn?

During the risk assessment, the employer checks whether there is a risk of injury to the foot, leg or knee area. For example, due to slipping, jamming, bumping, stepping into sharp objects or contact with chemicals. If one of these hazards is present, the employer must provide safety footwear with the appropriate CE marking.

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The different protection classes

Safety shoes are divided into the basic class SB and the upper classes S1 to S5. The basic class always has a protective toe cap and thus a closed toe area and slip resistance.

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Protection class S1

This safety shoe is also called standard safety shoe. Its features are:

• Toe cap
• Closed heel area
• Antistatic

Protection class S1P

This protection class has the same properties as S1, in addition they have a penetration protection. This prevents sharp objects such as nails from drilling through the sole.

Protection class S2

This shoe meets all criteria from class S1. In addition, it is waterproof and repels all liquids for at least 60 minutes. Unlike the S1P, however, this shoe has no penetration protection. 

Protection class S3

This protection class combines all the properties from S1 and S2 and is thus particularly well suited for work on the construction site or in the storage area.

Protection class S4

Shoes of this class have all the properties from S1 to S3 and are almost without exception listed as boots. In addition, they must be made of one piece and are therefore also absolutely waterproof.

Protection class S5

This shoe has all the properties of protection class 4 and also has a midsole penetration protection^.3

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The requirements for foot protection are regulated by the Occupational Health and Safety Act and accident prevention regulations. Depending on the activity, however, the employer must assess the risk to employees. 

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Mechanical effects

Mechanical impacts include falling objects, entrapment, falls, or stepping on sharp objects. The following selection criteria are incurred as a result:

• Toe cap
• Reinforcement of the rear cap
• Upholstery
• Puncture resistance
• Slip resistance

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Exposure to electricity

If Tradesmen and women work with electrical voltage, the shoe must first and foremost have insulation. It must also dissipate voltage.

Thermal effects

In the case of intense heat in the workplace, the safety shoe must be heat insulated and heat resistant. 

Chemical effects

Liquids, dusts or mists belong to the chemical effects. Shoes for this work area must be absolutely tight and constantly resistant. 

Biological effects

In the case of microorganisms and other biological substances at the work site, the footwear must first and foremost be liquid-tight and easy to clean. 

Explosive atmosphere

If there is a risk of static electricity in the workplace, it is particularly important that the safety shoes are dissipative^.4

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High work shoes, i.e. boots, are particularly suitable for professions that involve a lot of work on uneven ground or descending from higher workplaces. Around 60 percent of reportable accidents occur in the foot area - reason enough to protect your own feet well. There is still no regulated DIN standard that checks the protection against twisting in work shoes. 

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But can help:

• A shoe at least ankle high with full lacing
• Close-fitting, stable upper shoe
• Lateral fixation / stabilization in the ankle area
• Good force distribution in the closure ^system5

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Working on the roof is associated with some dangers. Extreme sure-footedness and heat resistance are indispensable, as well as protection against penetration and toes. That's why roofers should look for protection class S3 when choosing their safety shoes. ESD shoes, which prevent uncontrolled electrostatic discharges, are also useful^.6

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Many hours on their feet, demanding work - Tradesmen and women need footwear that keeps up with their daily routine. Apart from the appropriate safety class, however, personal preferences are also crucial. Fortunately, safety shoes now come in all colors and shapes, and some look just like normal casual shoes. So every craftsman and every craftswoman can find the right safety shoe - and get through everyday working life safely and comfortably. 

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Well dressed - and even better Organised with Meisterwerk App

An overview of the business is just as important as the right work clothes. This is where the Meisterwerk app comes into play: It makes organizing your craft business very simple. Whether it's scheduling, exchanges between employees or internal processes - with the Meisterwerk app you can keep track of everything. 

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