PPE directive and live working footwear

For about 50 years, SERECT has been developing technical specifications that define the characteristics of so-called `special' shoes and boots to protect Live Working (LW) operators against electric shocks resulting from step voltage. Personal protective equipment (PPE) placed on the market and put into service for LW in France are subject to both general regulation such as the `PPE' Directive 89/686/EEC and to French LW legislation. SERECT is responsible for qualifying these PPE as regards these two regulation levels so that medium voltage LW teams can purchase safe manufactured PPE and can use them in accordance with French LW rules. The design, construction and placing on the market of PPE protecting against mortal or serious dangers being strictly controlled by the PPE Directive, SERECT must rely on notified bodies to have its technical specifications approved before supervising the qualification of manufacturers' footwear with respect to EC certification procedures and French approval procedures for LW tools.