ASTM F1117-03(2019)

Standard Specification for Dielectric Footwear

ABSTRACT
This specification covers acceptance testing of dielectric overfoot and overshoe footwear designed to provide additional isolation or insulation of workers if in accidental contact with energized electrical conductors, apparatus, or circuits. Styles of overshoe footwear covered under this specification shall be designated as: Rubbers, designed to be worn over existing footwear and to cover only the foot of the worker; Boots, designed to be worn over existing footwear and to cover the foot and lower leg of the worker to below the knee; and Galoshes, designed to be worn over existing footwear and to cover the foot and lower leg of the worker to below the knee and having fasteners to close the folded front flaps. Each article of overshoe footwear shall be given a proof test and shall withstand the 60-Hz ac proof-test voltage (rms value) or the dc proof-test voltage (average value).
SCOPE
1.1 This specification covers acceptance testing of dielectric overfoot and overshoe footwear designed to provide additional isolation or insulation of workers if in accidental contact with energized electrical conductors, apparatus, or circuits.  
1.2 Three styles of overshoe footwear are provided and are designated as rubbers, boots, and galoshes.  
1.3 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 31-Aug-2019
• ICS: 13.260 - Protection against electric shock. Live working
• Technical Committee: F18 - Electrical Protective Equipment for Workers
• Drafting Committee: F18.15 - Worker Personal Equipment

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM F1117-03(2013) - Standard Specification for Dielectric Footwear
• Effective Date: 01-Sep-2019
• Refers: ASTM F1116-14 - Standard Test Method for Determining Dielectric Strength of Dielectric Footwear
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2014
• Refers: ASTM F819-10 - Standard Terminology Relating to Electrical Protective Equipment for Workers
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2010
• Refers: ASTM F819-08 - Standard Terminology Relating to Electrical Protective Equipment for Workers
• Effective Date: 15-May-2008
• Refers: ASTM F1116-03(2008) - Standard Test Method for Determining Dielectric Strength of Dielectric Footwear
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2008
• Refers: ASTM F819-06 - Standard Terminology Relating to Electrical Protective Equipment for Workers
• Effective Date: 15-Nov-2006
• Refers: ASTM F819-05 - Standard Terminology Relating to Electrical Protective Equipment for Workers
• Effective Date: 01-Jan-2005
• Refers: ASTM F819-04a - Standard Terminology Relating to Electrical Protective Equipment for Workers
• Effective Date: 01-Dec-2004
• Refers: ASTM F819-04 - Standard Terminology Relating to Electrical Protective Equipment for Workers
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2004
• Refers: ASTM F1116-03 - Standard Test Method for Determining Dielectric Strength of Dielectric Footwear
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2003
• Refers: ASTM F819-00e1 - Standard Terminology Relating to Electrical Protective Equipment for Workers
• Effective Date: 10-May-2000
• Refers: ASTM F1116-88(1995) - Standard Test Method for Determining Dielectric Strength of Overshoe Footwear
• Effective Date: 07-Nov-1997
• Referred By: ASTM F819-23 - Standard Terminology Relating to Electrical Protective Equipment for Workers
• Effective Date: 01-Sep-2019
• Referred By: ASTM F1116-21 - Standard Test Method for Determining Dielectric Strength of Dielectric Footwear
• Effective Date: 01-Sep-2019

Overview

ASTM F1117-03(2019): Standard Specification for Dielectric Footwear is a widely recognized international standard developed by ASTM International. This specification addresses the acceptance testing requirements for dielectric overshoes and overfoot footwear designed to provide electrical insulation for workers. The standard ensures that the footwear can deliver the necessary isolation when accidental contact occurs with energized conductors, apparatus, or circuits, minimizing the risk of electrical shock.

Dielectric footwear covered under this standard is intended to be worn over existing safety or work shoes and is essential for personnel exposed to electrical hazards across a variety of industries. The document outlines styles, electrical performance, testing, marking, and packaging specifications to guarantee product safety and reliability.

Key Topics

• Dielectric Protection: Outlines requirements for footwear that offers electrical insulation to protect workers from live electrical circuits.
• Footwear Styles: Specifies three main types:
  • Rubbers: Designed to cover only the foot.
  • Boots: Cover the foot and lower leg up to below the knee.
  • Galoshes: Cover to below the knee and feature fasteners for secure closure.
• Electrical Testing: Requires each article of footwear to pass a dielectric proof test at specified voltages to ensure adequate insulation properties, following ASTM test methods.
• Marking and Identification: Mandates permanent labeling on each product with manufacturer details, size, style, and AC voltage rating to ensure traceability and compliance.
• Inspection and Quality Assurance: Provides guidelines for sampling, inspection, and criteria for rejection to uphold product consistency and effectiveness.
• Guarantee and Replacement: The standard includes an obligation for manufacturers to replace unused footwear that fails to conform to test requirements within a set warranty period.

Applications

Dielectric footwear meeting ASTM F1117-03(2019) is critical in fields where electrical hazard protection is a safety requirement. Key applications include:

• Electrical Utilities and Power Plants: Workers installing, maintaining, or inspecting electrical systems and equipment.
• Construction and Industrial Sites: Personnel operating near live circuits or energized components.
• Telecommunications: Technicians exposed to electrical conductors while working on installations or repairs.
• Maintenance and Facility Management: Workers performing tasks near energized circuits in commercial or industrial environments.
• Emergency Response: Rescue personnel dealing with potential electrical hazards during disaster recovery or accident response.

These applications leverage dielectric overfoot and overshoe footwear to reduce injury risk from accidental electrical contact, making compliance with ASTM F1117 a fundamental component of workplace safety programs.

Related Standards

To ensure comprehensive electrical safety, ASTM F1117-03(2019) references and complements several related standards:

• ASTM F819: Terminology Relating to Electrical Protective Equipment for Workers - defines key terms used in electrical safety.
• ASTM F1116: Test Method for Determining Dielectric Strength of Dielectric Footwear - describes detailed testing procedures for validation.
• Additional ASTM and international standards may apply, governing the use, maintenance, and periodic testing of electrical protective equipment.

Employers and safety officers should ensure that dielectric footwear not only meets ASTM F1117 but is also specified, used, and maintained according to all applicable standards and workplace regulations.

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Keywords: dielectric footwear, ASTM F1117, electrical insulation, overshoe, safety boots, electrical protective equipment, dielectric overfoot, workplace electrical safety, ASTM standards, dielectric testing.

Standards Content (Sample)

This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Designation: F1117 −03 (Reapproved 2019)
Standard Specification for
Dielectric Footwear
This standard is issued under the fixed designation F1117; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope determined. The purchaser may, at his option, perform or have
performed these tests in order to verify the guarantee. Claims
1.1 This specification covers acceptance testing of dielectric
for failure to meet the specification are subject to verification
overfoot and overshoe footwear designed to provide additional
by the manufacturer.
isolation or insulation of workers if in accidental contact with
energized electrical conductors, apparatus, or circuits. 4.2 Electrical contact injuries to workers may involve a
current path through the feet of the worker. The footwear
1.2 Three styles of overshoe footwear are provided and are
covered by this specification is dielectrically rated to provide
designated as rubbers, boots, and galoshes.
additional isolation or insulation to the worker.
1.3 This international standard was developed in accor-
4.3 Work practices vary from user to user depending upon
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
many factors. These may include, but are not limited to,
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
operating system voltages, construction design, work proce-
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
dures and techniques, weather conditions, etc. Therefore,
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
except for the restrictions set forth in this specification because
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
of design limitations, the use and maintenance of this equip-
2. Referenced Documents ment is beyond the scope of this specification.
4.3.1 Itiscommonpracticeandtheresponsibilityoftheuser
2.1 ASTM Standards:
of this type of protective equipment to prepare complete
F819 Terminology Relating to Electrical Protective Equip-
instuctionsandregulationstogovernthecorrectandsafeuseof
ment for Workers
such equipment.
F1116 Test Method for Determining Dielectric Strength of
Dielectric Footwear
5. Classification
3. Terminology
5.1 Styles of overshoe footwear covered under this specifi-
3.1 Definitions—Definitions pertaining to electrical protec-
cation shall be designated as follows:
tive equipment may be found in Definitions F819. 5.1.1 Rubbers, designed to be worn over existing footwear
and to cover only the foot of the worker.
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
5.1.2 Boots, designed to be worn over existing footwear and
3.2.1 user—as used in 4.3.1, the entity employing the actual
tocoverthefootandlowerlegoftheworkertobelowtheknee.
worker(s) utilizing the equipment; if no separate employer,
5.1.3 Galoshes, designed to be worn over existing footwear
then the individual.
and to cover the foot and lower leg of the worker to below the
4. Significance and Use knee and having fasteners to close the folded front flaps.
4.1 This specification covers the minimum electrical prop-
6. Ordering Information
erties of dielectric footwear guaranteed by the manufacturer
and the detailed procedures by which such properties are to be
6.1 Orders for footwear under this specification should
include the following information:
6.1.1 Style,
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F18 on
6.1.2 Size, and
Electrical Protective Equipment for Workers and is the direct responsibility of
Subcommittee F18.15 on Worker Personal Equipment.
6.1.3 Color.
Current edition approved Sept. 1, 2019. Published September 2019. Originally
approved in 1993. Last previous edition approved in 2013 as F1117 – 03(2013).
7. Manufacture and Marking
DOI: 10.1520/F1117-03R19.
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
7.1 The construction shall be such that the footwear has a
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
specified minimum dielectric strength when tested as specified
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website. in Test Method F1116.
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