EN ISO 17249 sets the requirements for safety footwear resistant to chainsaw cutting. The protection works through layers of long fibres: the chain catches the fibres, which wrap around the sprocket and stall it — in hundredths of a second.
Protection classes
| Class | Chain speed |
|---|---|
| Class 1 | 16 m/s |
| Class 2 | 20 m/s |
| Class 3 | 24 m/s |
| Class 4 | 28 m/s |
The class must match the chain speed of the saw in use. Most professional chainsaws run at 20–24 m/s, so class 2 is the sensible minimum and class 3 provides a margin.
The footwear as part of the ensemble
Chainsaw protection is a system, not a single product. The full ensemble comprises a helmet with mesh visor and hearing protection, chainsaw trousers or leggings (EN ISO 11393-2), gloves (EN ISO 11393-4) and footwear to this standard.
The footwear must also meet the base requirements of EN ISO 20345 — toe cap, penetration resistance and slip-resistant outsole — since falling branches, nails and rough ground are everyday hazards in forestry.