All maincal footwear is certified by iram 3610, a standard for safety footwear. This standard involves more than 40 different tests, including finished product testing (impact resistance and compression resistance), as well as supply testing (tear resistance of the upper, quarter, lining, tongue, collar, etc.) The fact that these are certified implies that a third party (not maincal)—in this case, iram—checks the quality management system used for product manufacturing, and the products themselves. The latter involves random, periodic sampling of the products, which are sent to a third party lab authorized by the argentine accreditation body (oaa.) Additionally, maincal carries out internal and third party testing on all of its product range, since, in order to be granted the necessary product seal, it is mandatory to have a quality program in place which specifies testing programs. For this reason, there is no testing protocol per se for the footwear, because several tests are carried out—by third parties, by maincal itself, and by iram. The license granted by iram—and which authorizes the use of the product seal—involves an entire system aimed at guaranteeing product quality and compliance with iram 3610 requirements.
FAQS
No. What defines safety footwear is precisely the fact that it protects the toe area, and this, generally speaking, is achieved through steel toe caps.
No. In order to be considered safety equipment, it must be certified.
No. Certified safety footwear undergoes a series of very strict tests that guarantee maximum protection. In addition to product testing, the certifying body periodically audits the manufacturer´s production systems to verify that all the batches are made with the same quality standard.
No. There are traders and manufacturers who claim that it is, but actually what generally happens is that they make just one pair according to the requirements of a standard, they have it tested, usually by a private organization, and they get a certificate stating that that specific pair is according to standard. This does not guarantee nor ensure that the rest of the batches and products they make also comply with the requirements of the applicable standards. In fact, none of the informal manufacturers have quality systems in place.
No. Each model needs to be specifically certified.
The footwear must display in a visible place, engraved or indelibly applied the seal corresponding to the standard next to the certifying body.
Yes. You can ask the manufacturer for a written copy of the license.
Overall, when carrying out any activity that implies risk to the feet. However, certified safety footwear is mandatory for all activities covered by the labor risk act.
You would not be complying with current regulations and could be subject to civil and criminal complaints, as well as to other types of penalties.
Yes. The outsole is what provides electrical insulation in safety footwear. Therefore, everything above it is isolated. In fact, standards specifically mention that dielectric footwear can incorporate metal eyelets, metal toe caps, and steel insoles and shanks without this affecting the dielectric quality of the outsole. It is important to understand that only the outsole has dielectric qualities. The leather or the fabrics of the upper should not be regarded as having them.
At 14,000 v for 1 minute. The leakage current cannot be over 3 ma.
Yes. It is recommended that footwear with a dielectric base be worn when carrying out electrical work involving a risk of making contact with live parts, as long as the footwear is not the only protective element in the electrical hazard protection chain, which should also include insulating gloves and tools. Please bear in mind that the protective quality may be affected by aging and wear, which is why users are advised to check electrical resistance at frequent and regular intervals, at the workplace.
Yes. Every outsole of funcional footwear is appropriate for working with hydrocarbons. In fact, this is one of the main requirements of the standard.
Yes. Funcional footwear outsoles made of dual density rubber withstand up to 300 °c/572 °f. Actually, they are officially certified for this specific risk, called “contact heat resistance” and assigned the acronym “hro” by the standard.
Yes. The essential thing is for the footwear used to be able to withstand being in contact with the surface, as well as to provide thermal insulation to the feet. Dual density rubber outsoles from funcional footwear offer users high thermal insulation. Apart from withstanding contact temperatures of up to 572 °f, they withstand up to 30 minutes of permanent contact with hot surfaces of up to 302 °f, with only the smallest amount of that heat reaching the inside of the footwear (not more than 71.6 °f.) This specific risk is termed “floor heat insulation” and assigned the international acronym “hi” (heat insulation) by the standard. Funcional products with this type of outsole have been granted this official certification.
Funcional footwear outsoles made of polyurethane withstand about 158 °f.