Antistatic vs. ESD: Safety Footwear for Workers

When choosing safety footwear, particularly for industries such as construction and electrical work, understanding the terms “antistatic” and “ESD” (Electrostatic Discharge) is essential. For example, an electrician’s boots with inadequate antistatic properties might cause a dangerous spark near flammable materials, while poor ESD control could damage sensitive electronic components.

Antistatic Properties

Antistatic properties refer to a material’s ability to prevent the accumulation of static electricity. This feature is designed to reduce static charge buildup on the surface of safety footwear, particularly important for electricians and construction workers.

What Is The Purpose Of Antistatic Properties in Boots:
• Prevention of Static Build-up: Antistatic materials minimize the risk of static discharge that could be disruptive or dangerous in certain work environments.
• Comfort and Safety: Antistatic footwear helps prevent static-related discomfort and protects workers handling sensitive electronics or other delicate components.

Typical Application:
Antistatic footwear typically features soles designed to resist high levels of static charge accumulation but does not necessarily provide a pathway for controlled static discharge. The primary goal is to reduce the build-up of static on the surface of the boots.

Resistance Levels:
The resistance of antistatic materials usually falls between 10^6 and 10^9 ohms. This is sufficient to prevent static charge build-up but not necessarily low enough to allow controlled static discharge to the ground.

ESD (Electrostatic Discharge) Properties

ESD properties refer to a material’s ability to safely discharge static electricity to the ground. This specific antistatic behavior focuses on preventing static electricity from discharging in a way that could damage electronic equipment or create hazardous conditions for workers.

What Is the Purpose ESD Properties in Boots:
• Controlled Discharge: ESD footwear is specifically designed to control and safely dissipate static electricity to the ground, protecting sensitive electronic components and ensuring workplace safety.
• Workplace Safety: In environments like clean rooms, electronics manufacturing, or areas with flammable substances, ESD footwear helps prevent accidental static discharge that could damage equipment or cause hazards.

Typical Application:
ESD footwear is used in industries where controlling electrostatic discharge is critical. This type of safety footwear ensures that static electricity is directed safely away from both workers and equipment.

Resistance Levels:
ESD footwear typically has a resistance between 10^4 and 10^6 ohms, allowing controlled dissipation of static electricity to the ground, thus minimizing the risk of electrostatic discharge.

What Are The Differences between Antistatic and ESD?

Antistatic footwear prevents static build-up, ideal for general industrial settings, while ESD footwear safely discharges static, crucial for sensitive environments like electronics and clean rooms. Antistatic options have higher resistance (10^6 to 10^9 ohms), whereas ESD types have lower resistance (10^4 to 10^6 ohms).

1. Function:
o Antistatic Footwear: Aims to prevent the build-up of static electricity on the boot itself, reducing static-related discomfort or hazards for workers.
o ESD Footwear: Focuses on safely discharging static electricity to the ground, preventing damage to sensitive components or accidents in hazardous environments.
2. Resistance Levels:
o Antistatic Footwear: Higher resistance (10^6 to 10^9 ohms) to reduce static accumulation.
o ESD Footwear: Lower resistance (10^4 to 10^6 ohms) to enable safe static discharge.
3. Applications:
o Antistatic Footwear: Suitable for general industrial environments where static electricity is a minor concern.
o ESD Footwear: Critical for environments like electronics manufacturing, clean rooms, and hazardous areas where static discharge could be dangerous.

Testing Antistatic Properties of Polyurethane-soled Boots

1. Maintain Controlled Conditions
Ensure accurate testing by maintaining the environment at a stable temperature of 20°C to 23°C, with relative humidity between 50% and 60%. The testing area must also be free from dust and other contaminants to prevent interference with the results.
2. Use Proper Equipment
A well-calibrated ESD tester is required to measure how quickly static dissipates from the boots, and the footwear must be placed on a clean, conductive test surface to simulate real-world conditions and obtain precise results.
3. Follow Testing Procedures
Before testing, condition and clean the boots in a controlled environment for 24 hours. Apply a known voltage to the boots and measure their resistance, which should be below 1 x 10^9 ohms to meet antistatic performance standards.
4. Adhere to Standards
Ensure compliance with industry standards such as ASTM F2413, IEC 61340-4-3, or ISO 20345. Thoroughly document every step of the process and results to verify compliance and maintain accurate records.
5. Prioritize Safety and Maintenance
Personnel conducting the tests must be properly grounded to prevent static discharges that could affect the test results. Regularly check and calibrate testing equipment to maintain accuracy and functionality.
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By getting to grips with the differences between antistatic and ESD properties, industries such as construction and electronics can better protect their teams and equipment. Choosing the right polyurethane-soled boots and testing them properly ensures they perform well in environments where managing static electricity is crucial for safety and efficiency.

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For a chat about your work forces safety boot requirements please give us a call on +27 11 892 8030 / 8031 / 8032 or drop an email to organise a call info@profitfootwear.co.za