Evaluating the Applicability of ASTM Footwear Standards in Cold and Slippery Construction Environments
Published in Sixth European Structural Engineering and Construction Conference (EURO SEC 6), 2026
Protective footwear on construction sites is usually certified using ASTM (American Society for Testing and Materials) standards. These standards set laboratory test requirements for protection from impacts, electrical hazards, and slipping.
This study looked at whether those standards match what workers’ footwear faces in cold, wet, and icy construction work. It reviewed the requirements, testing assumptions, and scope of the relevant ASTM standards and test methods.
The review found that current performance measures may not fully capture how footwear behaves in cold, wet, and icy conditions, especially thermal comfort and how slip resistance changes with temperature. The study also built a user-focused framework that connects the standard requirements, the environmental exposure, and how the footwear performs for the worker.
Based on the gaps it found, the study proposed an added cold-condition step for the slip resistance test in ASTM F2913. Footwear would be held at a low temperature before the friction test, which measures how much grip the sole has while moving. This makes the test closer to real winter conditions while keeping the results repeatable.
Recommended citation: Pal, U. K., & Zhang, C. (2026). Evaluating the Applicability of ASTM Footwear Standards in Cold and Slippery Construction Environments. Sixth European Structural Engineering and Construction Conference (EURO SEC 6), ISEC Press. https://doi.org/10.14455/ISEC.2026.13(2).CSA-07
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