What does EH rated mean on work boots?

Where the EH mark comes from

EH is one of the protective marks defined in ASTM F2413, the US performance standard for protective footwear with a safety toe cap. On a safety toe boot you will find it on the tongue or shaft label, usually on the line after the impact and compression ratings, for example ASTM F2413-18 M I/75 C/75 EH. Our ASTM F2413 label decoder explains each line if you want to check a specific boot.

Soft toe boots can carry an EH rating too. Footwear without a protective toe cap is covered by ASTM F2892, which uses the same idea of an electrical hazard tested outsole. That is why you will see soft toe work boots listed as meeting ASTM F2892 EH standards.

Read every ASTM label line explained →

What the EH test actually measures

The test checks the sole and heel as an insulator. The boot is subjected to 18,000 volts at 60 Hz for one minute, and current leakage must stay at or below 1.0 milliampere. The test is done on new footwear in dry conditions. Passing means the bottom of the boot resisted that voltage at that moment, in the lab.

Nothing in the test covers the upper, the laces or what happens if water, mud or metal shavings bridge the insulating sole. It also says nothing about how the boot performs after months of wear. The rating describes the boot as it left the factory.

What EH does not do

EH is described in the standard as secondary protection. It reduces the chance of a dangerous path through your feet if you accidentally contact a live circuit while standing on the ground. It is not designed to let you work on energized equipment, and it does not replace lockout and tagout, insulated tools, insulating mats or arc rated clothing.

• It does not protect you if the sole is wet, cracked or worn through.
• It does not protect you if a nail, screw or metal chip is embedded through the sole.
• It does not cover static control. That is what SD (static dissipative) boots do, and they work the opposite way.
• It is not the same as dielectric insulating footwear (DI), which is a separate, higher level of protection used in utility work.

Note.EH boots are a backup layer. Follow your employer's electrical safety program and never treat footwear as permission to work on live equipment.

Why wet or worn soles matter

Water is the biggest enemy of an EH rating. A soaked sole, a puddle that reaches the upper, or sweat soaked through the boot can create a path for current. The standard itself notes that the protection is reduced by wear and wet conditions.

Wear matters for the same reason. As lugs wear down the insulating rubber gets thinner, and cracks or cuts in the outsole open a direct path. Embedded metal debris is another common failure point on sites with nails and screws. Check soles regularly and replace boots when the outsole is worn smooth, split or punctured.

1. 1

   Look at the outsole for cuts, cracks and worn through spots.

2. 2

   Pull out any embedded nails, screws or metal shavings, then check whether they went through.

3. 3

   Check the heel and the sole edge where it meets the upper for separation.

4. 4

   Replace EH boots that have been punctured or have separated soles, even if they still feel fine.

What to do when a sole separates →

EH, SD, conductive and dielectric compared

These marks are easy to mix up because they all deal with electricity. They do very different jobs, and some cannot be combined in the same boot.

EH and SD pull in opposite directions, so a single boot is not usually rated for both. If your site requires static control, an EH boot is the wrong tool. For a deeper look at line work footwear, see EH rated vs dielectric boots.

Choosing an EH boot

Most mainstream work boots from Thorogood, Keen Utility, Danner, Carolina and others are offered in EH rated versions, in both safety toe and soft toe. Steel, alloy and composite toe boots can all carry an EH rating, because the rating is about the sole, not the toe cap.

Start with the hazards on your site, then pick the toe type and build. If you work around panels and wiring every day, our guide to the best work boots for electricians narrows the list. If you want a non-metallic toe as well, see the best composite toe work boots.

See boots for electricians →

Frequently asked questions

Can EH rated boots get wet? They can get wet, but the electrical protection is reduced while they are wet. The EH test is done in dry conditions, so treat soaked boots as having little or no electrical protection until they dry.

Does EH rated mean the boot is non-conductive? The sole and heel resisted the test voltage when new and dry. The boot as a whole is not certified as non-conductive, and metal parts like a steel toe or shank are not the point of the test.

Do EH ratings expire? There is no expiry date, but the protection depends on the condition of the sole. Worn, cut, punctured or separated soles lose protection, so replace boots once the outsole is damaged.

Is EH required by OSHA? OSHA 1910.136 requires protective footwear where employees' feet are exposed to electrical hazards, among other foot hazards. Your employer's hazard assessment decides which ratings your job needs.