Anti Static Mats
Anti static mats are used to draw any static buildup off of a worker making contact with the mat, in the hopes that the worker will touch the anti static mat before they touch susceptible chemicals or equipment that could be damaged by electric static discharge. These
static control mats also protect the workers from electric shock, which in large amounts could result in injury or death. The mats are placed on floors, countertops or table tops close to workstations, assembly areas and anywhere else that sensitive material, parts or products are being worked on. These
ESD products are stood upon by workers and may actually have some ergonomic benefits as well as serving as
static eliminators; anti static mats help with the posture, neck pain and leg aching that is unavoidable when a worker is standing for long periods of time. The mats are used by workers that come in daily contact with or are assembling, repairing, manufacturing or changing the parts of computers, electronics, medical equipment, semiconductors, optics, petrochemicals, cell phones, film and circuit boards. They are single, double or triple layered, come in any size including custom fits and are available in many different colors.
Depending on the application, anti static mats may be either conductive or dissipative. Conductive mats disperse static electricity better and faster than dissipative and should therefore be used around the most sensitive or high voltage equipment. Dissipative however, has a better resistance to electricity and passes the current through at a lower speed, which protects sensitive devices as well as improving worker safety. This is a particular concern when employees are working around high voltage machinery and equipment. Many mats made specifically for static dissipation or conduction are often equipped with a wrist strap that is attached to the mat by a chord, which helps to conduct the electricity onto the mat, not the person. This wrist strap may be considered an
anti static glove accessory or a
grounding strap. The mats require grounding or earthing, which involves plugging the mat into a grounded line in an electrical outlet. The electricity must be discharged at a slow rate by using a resistor. Many mats come in roll form and are manually cut to size by the facility that purchases the roll. While they are usually made of homogenous rubber or vinyl, some carpet materials are also effective in eliminating static.
