ESD protective measures checklist and daily self-check in 10 steps
To ensure adequate ESD protection, it is essential that certain ESD protection measures are checked regularly, some of them on a daily basis.
In the following, we have compiled a detailed checklist of ESDprotective measures and a daily ESD self-check in 10 steps, although both lists are not exhaustive.
Why ESD protection is important
The abbreviation ESD stands for “electrostatic discharge”. Such discharges occur when there is an exchange of charge between two objects because these objects have a different voltage potential. The fact that certain objects become charged can be caused by friction on the surface, for example.
ESD protection, i.e. protection against electrostatic discharge, is particularly important for electrostatically sensitive components (ESPs), as these can be damaged or even destroyed by such discharges.
Electrostatically sensitive components are also known as ESD-sensitive components, ESD-sensitive components or electrostatically sensitive components. In English, the abbreviation for “electrostatically sensitive component” is ESDS, which stands for “electrostatic discharge sensitive devices”.
Entire ESD protection zones are set up to ensure even greater protection. In these ESD protection zones (also known as EPA, which stands for “ESD protected area”), ESD-sensitive components are protected during their production, assembly or repair, for example.
The size of an ESD protection zone can vary greatly. A small EPA consists of an ESD workstation with earthing connections for an ESD table mat and an ESD earthing wrist strap, for example.
You may also be interested inthe following articles :
- “ESD – Electrostatic discharge” (Overview article)
- “Electrostatic discharge (ESD) – dangerous for people and electronics“
- “50 years of ESD – the history of electrostatic discharge control“
Types of ESD protective measures
On the one hand, ESD protection is about preventing electrostatic charges from building up on certain objects. Because if nothing charges, nothing can discharge. On the other hand, it is important that any charges are discharged in a controlled manner rather than in an uncontrolled manner.
The following types of ESD protective measures can be distinguished:
- Personal protective measures (ESD shoes, ESD clothing, ESD wristbands, ESD gloves, etc.)
- Work-related protective measures (ESD mats, ESD floors, ESD furniture, ESD packaging, ESD trolleys, ESD tools, etc.)
- Protection programs (employee training, review of ESD measures, etc.)
ESD checklist for checking ESD protection measures
Below we have compiled an ESD checklist for checking ESD protection measures, although this list is not exhaustive and therefore does not claim to be complete:
ESD control program plan
- If an ESD controlprogram-Plan according to IEC 61340-5-1 created?
- Is the ESD control program plan regularly checked to ensure it is up to date?
ESD representative
- Has the ESD officer attended sufficient ESD training courses?
- Has a representative been appointed for the ESD officer?
- Does the ESD officer check the ESD protection measures often enough?
ESD training for employees
- Does ESD training take place for employees – as initial training and as refresher or refresher training?
Internal audits
- Are internal audits carried out regularly with regard to ESD protection and ESD control?
ESD protection zones
- Are any ESD protection zones (EPAs) marked with signs and floor markings?
- Do any access control measures to the EPO work?
- Is the ban on eating and drinking clearly communicated in the EPA?
- Is the ban on private items clearly communicated in the EPA?
- Is the EPA free of insulating shelves?
ESD flooring
- Is the ESD flooring dissipative?
- Are the ESD floors earthed?
You may also be interested in the following article: “ESD flooring – material, installation, marking and earthing“
ESD tables
- Are the ESD tables dissipative?
- Are the ESD tables earthed?
ESD chairs
- Are the ESD chairs dissipative?
- Are the ESD chairs earthed?
ESD furniture
- Is the ESD furniture dissipative?
- Is the ESD furniture earthed?
ESD transport trolley
- Are the ESD transport trolleys dissipative?
ESD container
- Are the ESD containers dissipative?
ESD materials
- Are the ESD materials dissipative?
Tools and packaging
- Are the tools and packaging ESD-compatible?
Cleaning
- Are the cleaning agents used on the ESD floors ESD-compatible, i.e. ESD cleaners?
- Are the cleaning agents for other surfaces, such as ESD furniture, ESD-compatible, i.e. ESD cleaners?
- Have the employees who clean ESD equipment received ESD training?
- Is there a regular inspection of the ESD equipment or the EPA after cleaning?
Incoming and outgoing goods
- Is sufficient consideration given to the handling of electrostatically sensitive components (ESDS) when goods are received, for example when unpacking at an ESD workstation?
- Are ESDS sufficiently labeled as such?
- Are electrostatically sensitive components (ESDS) transported in ESD-compatible packaging or ESD-compatible containers?
Checking personal earthing measures
- Are the wrist earthing bracelets checked every day?
- Are the earthing cables checked daily?
- Is the ESD clothing checked every day?
- Are the ESD shoes checked every day?
You may also be interested in the following article: “ESD shoes – what are they and when are they necessary?“
ESD measuring devices/ test stations
- Is there a contact resistance meter?
- Is there a humidity meter?
- Is there an ESD wristband test station?
- Is there an ESD shoe test station?
Replacement of defective ESD equipment
- Will defective ESD equipment be replaced?
Spare equipment
- Is sufficient spare ESD equipment available, such as spare ESD wristbands, spare ESD cables, etc.?
Documentation
- Are all ESD checks and ESD protection measures adequately documented?
You may also be interested in the following article: “ESD rules of conduct and ESD checklist“
Daily ESD self-check in 10 steps
Apart from the ESD control measures that are mandatory anyway, you should carry out a daily ESD check yourself before starting work and adhere to it during work, which may also include mandatory ESD protection checks.
The following ESD check in 10 steps can be used as a guide to carry out a daily ESD self-check. However, this self-check is not exhaustive, but only intended as a supportive or stimulating measure. Among other things, special ESD measures may be required depending on the application, which is accompanied by correspondingly different control mechanisms for these ESD measures.
Daily ESD self-check in 10 steps:
- Wear ESD wristband, ESD shoes and any required ESD clothing and ESD test these items according to the specifications of the ESD coordinator with subsequent logging
- Visual inspection of the work area for materials and tools that generate static electricity and for insulating work surfaces
- Checking the earthing cable at the ESD workstation for interruption and damage
- Checking the function and position of the air ionizer
- Ensure that shielding/dissipating containers in which electrostatic sensitive devices (ESDS) are located are free from sources of static electricity generation
- Visual check that all electrostatic sensitive devices (ESDS) are in closed, shielding/dissipating containers, and that they are complete
- Visual check that all shielding containers are marked on the outside with an ESD warning label
- Check that the ESD coordinator has approved all cleaners, solvents, sprays, coatings and similar at the respective ESD workstation
- A minimum distance of 30 cm should be maintained from electrostatically sensitive devices (ESDS)
- Persons who are not earthed should even be at least 30 cm away from the ESD workstation or the ESD-protected area
In the online store of the ESD specialist wholesaler abovo you will find a wide range of ESD products, including ESD personal earthing products, ESD clothing, ESD footwear, ESD packaging, ESD furniture, ESD table and floor materials, ESD accessories and ESD measuring devices as well as ESD test stations.
Advice on ESD protection measures
If you have any questions about developing an ESD control program plan and/or about the points in the detailed checklist or the ESD self-checklist, we at abovo , the ESD specialist wholesaler , will be happy to help you.
We can also support you in selecting the right ESD equipment for your application. However, you can also search for suitable ESD products in our online store search.
The easiest way to contact the ESD experts at abovo is by telephone or e-mail:
- Telephone number: +41 32 552 44 44
- E-mail: info@abovo.ch
If you send us an e-mail, we will get back to you as soon as possible.
