What is ASTM and why is this change happening?

ASTM International, one of the largest voluntary standards
development organizations in the world, and a preeminent
source for technical documentation for industries world-wide
has announced that the former ANSI Z41, Standard for
Personal Protection Protective Footwear has been
withdrawn, and is replaced by 2 new ASTM standards. The
new ASTM International standards replacing and updating
the Z41 document are entitled F2412-05 Standard Test
Methods for Foot Protection and F2413-05 Standard
Requirements for Protective Footwear, both under the
jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F13 on Pedestrian/Walkway
Safety and Footwear. Information on these standards can
be obtained at www.astm.org.
The introduction of ASTM F2412 and F2413 will permit the
continued use of safety and performance standards previously
provided in the ANSI document, which has been an important
part of worker safety since 1967. The new standards continue
the long-standing effort to help protect against toe, metatarsal,
and foot bottom injuries. These standards also include test
methods and performance requirements for footwear providing
electric shock resistance, conductive, static dissipative, and
dielectric properties as well as chain saw protection. The new
ASTM protective footwear standards are enhanced with
expanded information on upper class 50 and class 75 toe
protection performance requirements.
The new ASTM standards contain minimal changes from the
withdrawn ANSI Z41 1999 standard with regard to test
methodology. The major performance characteristics changes
between the new ASTM standard and the old ANSI standard are
the removal of Type II for Static Dissipative and Class 30 for
Impact and Compression requirements. Therefore, the majority
of existing industry inventory of product and product-information
that is labeled or advertised as in compliance with ANSI Z41
standard should be compliant with the new ASTM standards.

How will this affect Red Wing Shoes?
The real question is- how will this change affect Red Wing?
“The switch from ANSI to ASTM will have minimal impact to
Red Wing products” says Lori Hyllengren, Lab Manager,
Red Wing Shoe Company, “Since the ASTM standards mirror
the ANSI standard, our current products remain in compliance.
We are submitting all safety footwear products in 2005 to be
tested by an independent laboratory for confirmation of
conformance to ASTM F2413-05. We will be updating our
product labels through the rest of this year and should be
completed by early 2006.”

When will this happen?
The timing of the changeover is immediate, however ASTM
allows for companies to make the switch as a running change,
utilizing ANSI labels existing in inventory and then switching
over to ASTM labels. “I want to confirm that Red Wing products
are ASTM compliant, even if the labels currently read ANSI”,
says John Klein, Product Merchandising Manager,
Red Wing Shoe Company.

For more information/questions
For more information on ASTM/ANSI issues relating to
Red Wing Shoe Company, please contact Red Wing Customer
Service at 800-328-9453.
Red Wing Shoe announces ASTM Safety Standard Compliance
©2005 Red Wing Shoe Company