Shocks to people caused by static electricity

This chapter presents case histories concerning shocks caused to people by static electricity. One case history is related to cutting PE foam. PE foam is produced continuously in large blocks of cross-section of about 2m 2 and is then cut to a desired size by means of a bandsaw. People operating a bandsaw in a plant where this type of foam was manufactured complained of electric shocks on touching any metal surface in the vicinity of the machine. It was clear that static charge produced during the cutting of the highly insulating foam was the cause of the problem. The electric field from the charged foam was causing the operators to become charged by induction. To avoid the unpleasant consequences, the induced charge needed to be quickly dissipated to ground. Normally, the remedy would be to install conducting flooring and ensure that any workers near the machine wear conducting footwear.