Why are specialised safety shoes essential in the horticulture and landscaping sector?
There are numerous hazards lurking in the horticulture and landscaping sector that can affect your feet. According to statistics from the SVLFG (Social Insurance for Agriculture, Forestry and Horticulture), just under 15 per cent of all workplace accidents in the horticulture and landscaping sector in 2019 involved the feet and ankles. With over 12,700 workplace accidents annually, the sector ranks second in the SVLFG’s accident statistics. The most common hazards include sharp objects such as nails, screws, thorns and metal splinters, which can cause serious injuries without puncture protection. Falling tools and materials such as paving stones, spades, saws or building components can cause serious foot injuries through crushing. The risk of slipping on wet, muddy or stony surfaces is particularly high when working on sand, gravel, clay or scree. There is a risk of twisting an ankle on uneven terrain, stony paths and when working on embankments. Added to this are the effects of the weather – such as damp, cold, rain and mud – which can lead to health problems without suitable protection. Not to be overlooked are cuts caused by chainsaws, brush cutters, lawnmowers and hedge trimmers, as well as strain resulting from prolonged standing, kneeling and walking on hard surfaces. Without suitable safety footwear, you risk painful injuries and long-term damage to your health. The SVLFG and DGUV Rule 114-610 “Green Space and Landscape Maintenance Sector” therefore stipulate that, for most landscaping and garden construction activities, safety footwear of at least Class S3 is required.
OUR SHOE RECOMMENDATION
S3 safety footwear is suitable for all standard landscaping and garden construction tasks
- Paving work: laying paths, patios and driveways
- Earthworks: excavation, soil levelling, foundation work
- Tree care: pruning, felling and limbing
- Landscape maintenance: lawn mowing, hedge trimming, flowerbed maintenance
- Garden design: pond construction, wall building, fence erection
- Use of machinery: working with excavators, vibratory plates and chainsaws
Expert tip: For professional landscaping work, you should always wear S3 safety boots with a high upper. The upper provides additional protection against twisting your ankle on uneven ground and prevents mud, water and small stones from getting in.
S5 safety footwear: For extremely wet conditions
The S5 safety class is designed for particularly wet working conditions. These solid rubber boots offer 100% waterproofing, a puncture-resistant midsole, a heavily treaded outsole and a toe cap. They are ideal for work in pond construction, extremely wet and muddy conditions, drainage works in landscaping, and work during high water or flooding.
Typical areas of use for ATLAS safety footwear in landscaping and gardening
Paving work: paths, patios, driveways
When carrying out paving work, you are constantly exposed to hazards: falling stones, sharp-edged materials, nails protruding from kerbstones, slippery surfaces caused by sand and grit, as well as frequent kneeling.
For paving work, we recommend the XT models 500, 510, 520 and 550 from the GORE-TEX EXTRAGUARD® range (S3 with Gore-Tex and a high shaft), the ANATOMIC BAU 500 (S3, robust and durable for hard surfaces) or the ultra-lightweight ALU-TEC 735 XP (S3 with aluminium toe cap, reduces fatigue).
Tip: Ankle-high models with a high shaft provide additional protection against sand getting in and stabilise the ankle when carrying heavy stones.
Earthworks and gardening: excavation, foundation work, soil modelling
Earthworks are characterised by extreme conditions: mud, sludge, wet clay, uneven ground, sharp stones in the soil and heavy physical labour.
The XT models 1000 and 1050 from the GORE-TEX EXTRAGUARD® range (S3 for maximum protection and stability) prove their worth here, as do models with particularly slip-resistant soles and deeply grooved treads. In extremely wet conditions, we recommend S5 solid rubber boots.
Tree care and forestry: pruning, felling, limbing
Tree care involves specific hazards: cuts from chainsaws and brush cutters, falling branches and tools, uneven forest ground, and working at height.
Important: For work with a chainsaw, special S3-class cut-resistant boots with additional cut protection in accordance with EN ISO 17249 are required! These feature special cut-resistant inserts in the instep and ankle areas.
For general tree maintenance (excluding sawing work), S3 models with slip-resistant soles, a GORE-TEX membrane and lightweight aluminium-toed models are suitable for working on ladders.
Landscaping: mowing the lawn, trimming hedges, tending flower beds
Landscaping presents specific challenges: working on wet, slippery grass; frequent contact with water and dew; prolonged walking and standing; and operating machinery (lawnmowers, hedge trimmers, brush cutters).
We recommend low-cut shoes or lightweight S3-rated boots offering high levels of comfort, a GORE-TEX membrane to keep feet dry, and a lightweight construction for maximum walking comfort. Top models: FLASH 8255 XP BOA ESD (S3 with BOA quick-release fastening) or GTX 8205 XP (S3 with GORE-TEX).
Gardening and landscaping: pond construction, wall building, fence building
In landscaping work, requirements are constantly changing: water when building ponds, heavy stones when building walls, earthworks, planting, and frequent switching between different tasks.
Versatile S3 models offering good all-round protection are the best choice here. The XR 485/585 XP ESD series offers the perfect balance of protection, comfort and flexibility.
THE RIGHT WORKWEAR FOR THE JOB
Are ATLAS safety shoes also suitable for winter use in landscaping and gardening?
Yes! Many of our models are specifically designed for use in winter:
- CI (Cold Insulation) labelling
- Thick inner lining (often with Thinsulate™)
- GORE-TEX® membrane keeps moisture out, keeping feet dry and warm
- Special anti-slip soles for a secure footing on snow and ice
Recommended winter models:
- XT 1000/1050 from the GORE-TEX EXTRAGUARD® range: Maximum winter protection
- ANATOMIC BAU 500: Tried and tested in cold conditions
Tip: Choose breathable Gore-Tex models even in winter! This will help you avoid sweaty feet, which cool down quickly.
Which safety class is mandatory in landscaping?
The SVLFG and DGUV Rule 114-610 stipulate that, for most activities in gardening and landscaping, footwear must meet at least protection class S3. This provides toe protection, puncture resistance, waterproofing, slip resistance and a treaded sole.
Additional requirements apply to specific tasks:
- Chainsaw work: cut-resistant boots in accordance with EN ISO 17249
- Extreme wet conditions: S5 solid rubber boots
- Electrical work: ESD-certified footwear recommended
Legal basis: Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Use Regulation (PSA-BV) and DGUV Rule 114-610
Do I really need GORE-TEX shoes for landscaping work?
Highly recommended! In gardening and landscaping, you work every day in the rain, on dew, wet grass, in puddles and mud. Ordinary ‘water-repellent’ shoes only keep your feet dry for a short time.
GORE-TEX benefits:
- 100% waterproof: Even in continuous rain and when standing in puddles
- Breathable: Sweat can escape, so your feet don’t overheat
- Durable: Still works reliably even after years of use
- Health: Dry feet significantly reduce the risk of colds, blisters and athlete’s foot
Expert tip: The extra cost of GORE-TEX (approx. 30–50 EUR) pays for itself within just a few months thanks to greater comfort and longer durability!
Are low-top shoes or boots better for landscaping?
For professional landscaping work, we recommend ankle-high safety shoes or boots, as they offer key benefits:
- Protection against twisting your ankle on uneven ground, embankments and stones
- Prevent mud, water, small stones and soil from getting in
- Stabilise the ankle joint during heavy work
- Additional protection against falling small objects
Class S3 low-top shoes are suitable for:
- Landscaping on level ground
- Light gardening work
- Warm summer days with a low risk of injury
How often do I need to replace my landscaping boots?
That depends on the level of use. As a rule of thumb:
- For daily use in landscaping: approx. 6–9 months
- For occasional use: up to 1.5 years
- For seasonal work: up to 2 years
Replace the shoes immediately if:
- The sole is heavily worn or the tread is missing
- Cracks appear in the upper
- The toe cap is damaged
- Seams come undone
- The GORE-TEX membrane is no longer waterproof
- The upper has stretched out and no longer provides support
Tip: Many employers in the landscaping and gardening sector subsidise safety footwear under a collective agreement or company policy. Find out more!
Can I use ordinary wellington boots as safety footwear?
No! Standard rubber wellies from DIY stores are not safety footwear and do not meet the requirements of EN ISO 20345. They do not have a toe cap, puncture protection, tested slip resistance or certification to the standard.
For professional landscaping work, you need S3 safety footwear or, in extremely wet conditions, S5 safety boots (solid rubber boots with a toe cap and puncture protection).
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