"Steel cap" is not a rating. The safety footwear standard covers toe impact, compression, sole penetration and slip — and knowing which codes your site needs saves you buying twice.
The marks that matter
- Toe protection — rated for a 200-joule impact; steel, composite and alloy all qualify.
- Penetration resistance — a midsole plate rated against standing on fixings and offcuts.
- Slip rating — tested on wet ceramic and steel; check it if you work polished concrete.
Fit is a safety feature
A boot that doesn't fit gets left unlaced, and an unlaced boot loses most of its ankle support. Fit boots at the end of a shift, in your work socks — feet swell through the day.