EN 14404-3: knee protection for work in a kneeling position

The EN 14404 standard is the European standard for knee protection for work that involves regular or prolonged kneeling. The purpose of this standard is to prevent knee injuries by providing sufficient cushioning, balanced pressure distribution and protection against sharp or uneven surfaces. The standard is particularly relevant for professionals in sectors such as construction, installation, maintenance, flooring and paving work, where kneeling is an integral part of daily work. In addition, the EN 14404 standard sets requirements for knee protection that can be integrated into clothing to further reduce the burden on the knees.

Please note: the standard only applies if knee pads are combined with the trousers with which they are certified.

Stress on the knees

If no or insufficient knee protection is used during work that involves kneeling for a long time, various health problems and discomforts can arise. Not only can the knees become painful, but overload can also lead to inflammation of the bursae or reduced blood flow in the lower legs.

Wearing good knee protection can largely prevent these problems. In addition, it is important to regularly alternate between kneeling, standing and walking, so that the strain on the knees is kept to a minimum.

Tips to protect your knees:

·         Use knee pads with accompanying trousers for work that often requires kneeling, preferably certified with the EN 14404 standard.

·         Alternate positions; combine kneeling with standing, walking or sitting on a low chair.

·         Take short breaks regularly to relieve pressure on the knees.

·         Keep your knees and legs warm, especially when working in cold conditions.

·         Pay attention to a good working posture, so that you do not stay in the same place or position for too long.

To optimally protect the knees, it is important that different types of knee protection, sizes and materials are considered. Read more about this in our article about work trousers with knee pads.

Type of knee protection

The EN 14404 standard is divided into different types:

Type 1: knee protection that attaches directly to the legs, separate from clothing

Type 2: knee protection in combination with clothing

Type 3: knee pads that are brought into place during the user's movement.

Type 4: knee protection systems incorporated into an object, such as a frame or stool.

Type 2 is particularly important within Tricorp's collections.

Different performance levels

Within the EN 14404-3 standard, a distinction is made between different performance levels that indicate for which circumstances a knee protector is suitable.

Level 0: This level is intended for work on flat surfaces without the risk of puncture by sharp objects and is especially suitable for light work indoors or on smooth surfaces

Level 1: This level offers a higher level of protection when working on uneven or rough surfaces where there is a risk of small sharp objects and combines extra shock absorption with better resistance to damage.

Level 2: This level is the highest performance level and provides protection in harsh conditions, such as working on very rough or uneven surfaces where sharp objects may be present, and is therefore suitable for intensive construction and outdoor work. However, this level is not available for loose knee protection.

By using knee pads in combination with work trousers that are certified according to EN 14404-3 and carefully choosing the right performance class, professionals can optimally protect their knees against injury, discomfort and long-term overload.

Collections

With the launch of our new redefined collection, we are also introducing workwear with the EN 14404-3 standard.

Discover the complete certified collection here.