Knee pad types and EN 14404 explained for electricians and fitters

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EN 14404 is the European standard for knee protection at work. It sorts knee pads into four types by how they are worn, and three performance levels by what they protect against. For an electrician kneeling on floorboards, joists, screed and loft boarding, a Type 1 strap-on pad or a Type 2 trouser insert at Level 1 covers almost everything. Level 1 means the pad has been tested against a sharp point pushing through it, which is what stops a dropped screw or a cable clip going into your knee. Most cheap pads on Amazon do not claim the standard at all, and that is worth knowing before you buy.

The four types

Type	What it is	Good for
Type 1	Strap-on pads worn round the leg, independent of clothing	Any trousers, heavy kneeling, rough surfaces
Type 2	Foam inserts that go in knee pockets on work trousers	All day wear, getting up and down often
Type 3	Pads or mats not attached to the body	Long jobs in one spot, like a consumer unit change
Type 4	Kneelers with a frame or extra function, such as a kneeling stool	Floor layers, anyone who needs help getting up

A Type 2 insert only meets the standard in the trousers it was certified with. A Snickers insert tested in Snickers trousers is not certified in another brand's pockets, because the pocket position and fabric are part of the test. Insert positions also vary between brands, so an insert can sit too high or low in the wrong pair.

The three levels

Level 0 is for flat floors only. The pad cushions your knee but has no penetration resistance requirement.

Level 1 is for flat or uneven floors, and the pad has to resist a point pressing through it at a force of at least 100 newtons.

Level 2 is for severe conditions, such as kneeling on rubble or rebar, and the pad has to resist at least 250 newtons.

The marking on a certified pad shows the standard, the type and the level, for example EN 14404 Type 1 Level 1. The standard has recently been revised and split into separate parts, so newer labels may show slightly different numbering, but the type and level system is what you are looking for.

What an electrician actually kneels on

Floorboards lifted to run cable, with nails sticking up. Joists in a loft, where the whole weight goes through one edge. A concrete slab with fixings and clips scattered about. A customer's hallway, where a hard shell will scratch the floor. Under a kitchen worktop to get at a socket. And a cold garage floor while you change a consumer unit.

That list points to a Level 1 pad as standard, a shell that will not mark floors in finished houses, and a Type 2 insert if you are up and down all day. Most electricians who kneel a lot end up with both: inserts in the trousers for second fix and strap-ons in the van for first fix and lofts.

Hard shell or soft

A hard cap spreads the load from a nail or a joist edge, slides when you shuffle sideways and lasts longer on concrete. It also slips on smooth floors and can scratch them. A soft or rubber face grips, does not mark, and wears faster. Pads that have a non-marring face, like the DeWalt DG5224 flooring kneepads at around £30, are made for finished floors.

Comfort that lasts the day

The common complaint in owner reviews of strap-on pads is the strap behind the knee. Two straps that sit high and low, rather than one directly behind the joint, cut down on rubbing and pins and needles. Gel inserts help on hard floors but warm up and sweat in summer. Foam is lighter but compresses over months, and a flattened pad is a pad that no longer protects you.

The pads on our list

None of these listings states EN 14404 certification. If a site requires certified knee protection, check the box or the manufacturer's documentation, or buy certified trouser inserts from a workwear brand.

The NoCry Professional Knee Pads at around £35 have a hard cap over gel and foam, adjustable straps and thousands of Amazon reviews. The FENTO Original at around £50 is a slim pad that can sit under trousers, which suits sparks who move between jobs in a house without changing kit. The Thunderbolt construction pads at around £25 are the cheap hard-cap option. The knee pads for electricians page compares the full list, and our best knee pads for electricians post covers the models electricians tend to keep.

Look after your knees

Kneeling for long periods is a recognised cause of bursitis, sometimes called housemaid's knee or beat knee. A pad reduces the pressure but does not remove it. Shift position, use a kneeling mat for long jobs in one spot and get any swelling over the kneecap looked at early. Roofers have the same problem on battens, covered in knee pads for roofers.

Frequently asked questions

What does EN 14404 mean on knee pads?

EN 14404 is the European standard for knee protectors for work in the kneeling position. A certified pad is marked with a type, from 1 to 4, describing how it is worn, and a level, from 0 to 2, describing its protection. Level 1 and Level 2 pads have passed a penetration test, so a sharp point should not push through.

What is the difference between Level 1 and Level 2 knee pads?

Level 1 pads resist penetration at a force of at least 100 newtons and suit flat or uneven floors. Level 2 pads resist at least 250 newtons and are meant for severe conditions such as rubble, rebar and rough ground. Level 0 pads offer cushioning on flat floors only and have no penetration requirement.

Are knee pad inserts as good as strap-on knee pads?

They can be, if they are certified in the trousers you wear. Type 2 inserts are tested in specific trousers, and the pocket position is part of the test, so a brand's inserts are only certified in that brand's trousers. Strap-on Type 1 pads protect regardless of what you wear and are better for heavy kneeling.

What knee pads do electricians use?

Most electricians use certified knee pad inserts in their work trousers for second fix, plus strap-on pads with a hard cap for lofts, joists and first fix. A non-marring face is worth having for finished floors in customers' homes. Look for EN 14404 Level 1 at minimum if you kneel on boards with nails or fixings.