ASTM Standards
ASTM International writes thousands of standards for materials, products and testing methods. Workers see them most often on PPE labels.
- Construction
- General Industry
Safety-related ASTM standards
| Standard | Covers |
|---|---|
| ASTM F2413 | Protective toe cap footwear. See Safety Footwear. |
| ASTM F1506 | Arc-rated textile materials for electrical workers |
| ASTM F1959 | Test method to determine the arc rating of materials |
| ASTM D120 | Rubber insulating gloves |
| ASTM F1505 | Insulated and insulating hand tools |
| ASTM E84 | Surface burning characteristics of building materials |
| ASTM C150 / C33 | Portland cement and concrete aggregates (materials) |
Like ANSI standards, ASTM standards are voluntary unless adopted by a regulation, code or contract, but OSHA and building codes reference many of them.
Reading an ASTM number
An ASTM designation like F2413-18 has three parts:
- Letter: the general subject. For example, C is cement, concrete and masonry; D is miscellaneous materials like paint and plastics; E is miscellaneous subjects, including fire tests; F is end-use products like protective equipment.
- Number: the specific standard.
- Year: the edition (2018 in this example). A letter after the year (like F2413-18a) means a revision within that year.
Specifications vs. test methods
- A specification says what a product must do (for example, a safety toe must resist a certain impact).
- A test method says how to measure it (for example, how to measure a fabric’s arc rating).
A product label usually names the specification it meets, and the specification points to the test methods.
Where you’ll see ASTM on the job
- Boots: the inside label shows ASTM F2413 ratings (I/75, C/75, EH, PR). See Safety Footwear.
- Arc-rated clothing: labeled to ASTM F1506 with an arc rating. See FR Clothing.
- Rubber insulating gloves and sleeves: ASTM D120 and D1051, with the class marked on the cuff. See Hand Protection.
- Insulated hand tools: ASTM F1505, usually marked with a double triangle and “1000V.”
- Concrete and steel: mix designs, rebar and testing on project specifications.
- Building materials: flame spread ratings (ASTM E84) on insulation, panels and finishes.
Tip: If equipment claims to meet a standard but has no label, ask the supplier for documentation. Counterfeit and mislabeled PPE is sold online.
Standards & references
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