Prevention Is Better Than a Cure: Electric Shock Injuries from Static Electricity Discharges

Most people are aware of electrostatic discharges at two extremes: 1) the annoying shock from static accumulation from sliding across an automobile seat or shuffling across a carpet and 2) the highly dangerous and destructive energy discharge in lightning strikes. Between these two extremes are the static discharges from manufacturing operations that can cause shock injuries. Hazards of static electricity in industrial and manufacturing operations are generally viewed as a potential ignition source in flammable and explosive environments, or destructive to semiconductor electronic devices, but not as a source for shock injury, Measures to control the static electricity shock hazard and safeguard people are not addressed in the most visible and applied standards addressing electrical safety in the workplace. This article describes manufacturing and other industrial scenarios in which the potential for injury from static electricity discharges exist and discusses methods to prevent, control, and protect personnel from injury.