A steel-toe boot (also known as a safety boot, steel-capped boot, steel toecaps or safety shoe) is a durable boot or shoe that has a protective reinforcement in the toe which protects the foot from falling objects or compression. Safety shoes are effective in keeping the feet of industrial workers safe from sharp and heavy objects while working in factories. Although traditionally made of steel, the reinforcement can also be made of a composite material, a plastic such as thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) or aluminum. Steel-toe boots are important in construction and manufacturing, as well as a variety of other industries. Occupational safety and health legislation or insurance requirements may require the use of such boots in some settings, and may mandate certification of such boots and the display of such certification directly on the boots. The markings on the boot label will indicate the national or international standards that the boot was intended to meet, and identify the level of protection offered for impact, compression, penetration, and electric shock. Footwear for use in chemical processing or semiconductor manufacturing may also be rated to dissipate static electricity. Steel toes provide more protection as they can withstand higher impact, are heavier, and are less expensive, but not as breathable as composite toes. Wearing steel-toe boots of incorrect size or for extended periods of time can be harmful to one's feet. Safety footwear now comes in many styles, including sneakers, clogs, and dress shoes. Some are quite formal, for supervising engineers who must visit sites where protective footwear is mandatory. Some brands of steel-toe footwear have become fashionable within subcultures such as skinhead, punk, and rivethead. While brands that were previously renowned within the fashion industry have also diversified into the safety footwear market, industrial brands like Caterpillar, Rock Fall and JCB have also issued licenses to produce safety footwear. Safety criteria Asia Safety shoe standards in Asia are: China: GB 21148 & An1, An2, An3, An4, An5 Indonesia: SNI 0111:2009 Japan: JIS T8101 Malaysia: SIRIM MA 1598:1998 Singapore: SS 513-1:2005 India: IS 15298-I: 2011 test methods, IS 15298–II for safety footwear, IS 15298-III Protective footwear, IS 15298-IV Occupational Footwear Thailand: TIS 523-2011 Europe The International Organization for Standardization provides the European standard for safety footwear. The current one is ISO 20345:2011 - previously ISO 20345:2004. The codes applicable to European safety footwear are: There is also EN ISO 20346:2004 for protective footwear