What does the DGUV say about insulating safety boots?
Many companies assume that insulating specialist footwear – similar to conventional electrical trade work – is mandatory when working on high-voltage systems. The official DGUV FAQ on Electric Mobility (October 2025, Chapter 3.2) corrects this clearly: insulating footwear is not a suitable protective measure for HV vehicle work.
Protective measures are based on the vehicle manufacturer's specifications and the operational risk assessment. Insulating safety boots do not appear on the mandatory PPE list.
Why doesn't insulating footwear protect against HV hazards?
In conventional electrical trade work, insulating footwear protects against electric shock via the ground (e.g. earth faults in fixed installations). Vehicles are a different situation:
- The vehicle stands on insulating rubber tyres – the ground is not a current path
- Dangerous current flow results from direct contact with live HV components, not via the ground
- Insulating footwear addresses a hazard that does not exist in HV vehicle work
What PPE is actually mandatory for HV work?
Mandatory PPE under DGUV 209-093 for work on HV systems:
- Insulating gloves Class 0 (up to 1,000 V) or Class 1 (up to 7,500 V) to EN 60903 – the primary protection against direct current contact
- VDE-rated tools to EN 60900 (1,000 V rated)
- CAT III measuring instrument for proving the system is de-energised
- For work under voltage (Level 3S/3E): arc-flash protective clothing to EN ISO 11612
Insulating safety boots are deliberately absent from this list – not through oversight, but because the protective function is not relevant in the HV vehicle context.
Why does this myth persist?
The confusion originates in conventional electrical trade work, where insulating footwear protects against earth faults. Some older operational instructions listed PPE generically for all electrical work – without distinguishing between application types. The DGUV has explicitly addressed this point in its FAQ.
What does this mean for your work instructions?
If your current work instructions list insulating safety boots as mandatory PPE for HV vehicle work, you should review them. Always also check the manufacturer-specific work instructions (repair manuals, HV Safety Manual) for each vehicle type.
Source: DGUV FAQ Electric Mobility, October 2025, Chapter 3.2
Do HV technicians need to wear insulating safety boots?
No. The DGUV states explicitly in its official FAQ (Chapter 3.2) that insulating footwear is not a suitable protective measure for HV vehicle work. Mandatory PPE is insulating gloves to EN 60903, VDE-rated tools to EN 60900, and a CAT III measuring instrument.
Why is insulating footwear not useful for HV vehicles?
The vehicle stands on insulating rubber tyres – the ground is not a current path. The hazard arises from direct contact with HV components, not via the ground. Safety boots therefore address a hazard that is not present here.
Do I need to update my work instructions?
If your work instructions list insulating safety boots as mandatory PPE for HV vehicle work, you should review and align them with the DGUV FAQ and the vehicle manufacturer's specifications.
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