What is a static shock?
Most of us will relate to the gold-leaf electroscope experiments we did as children in school. Few of us think on it later in life and file it away under “school lesson”. However, Electrostatic Discharge (ESD) is omnipresent at most workplaces.
First a recap: Electrostatic discharge is the transfer of electrostatic charges between bodies at different potential caused by direct contact or induced electrostatic field. This definition includes a discharge from the human body into the air and also a discharge to the ground.
Static electricity is generated when two materials rub against each other and this causes static shocks. Some of us are zapped more often than other because of various reasons – the kind of clothes we wear, the shoes we sport or by just the way we walk makes us more prone to static shocks.
Real life Experiences with Static shock 
Static shocks are usually caused in dry climate or in an air conditioned room when an ionizer is absent. This is why some CEOs just don’t shake hands, for fear of electrocuting a visitor in their carpeted office. This happens quite often in the season if a proper sized ionizer isn’t in the vicinity. These little shocks are seen as annoyances but not truly dangerous. That’s not necessarily true. The most common and spectacular display of ESD is in lighting. Harmless right?
ESD causes immense damage when quality manufacturing is involved. Further, it results in safety hazards and is very painful for the operator. For example – static electricity in a flammable atmosphere like gas stations can cause fire or an explosion. In the micro-electronics sector ESD can heavily impact production, because smaller components are more heavily impacted by static discharge.
How can you stop getting static shocks? 
Static shocks can be controlled in an environment by using anti-static material. This is essential for every industry and home because static shocks does not cause lasting damage to your health but surely damages your semiconductors and electrical equipment like laptops. Most laptops are built using anti-static equipment.
Using anti static material like our ESD proof carpets, furniture, pipes,trolleys,gloves etc while working in an industry will surely reduce the risk of static shocks. In industries like – telecommunications, aviation and aerospace, healthcare, electronics manufacturing etc using anti-static material is a must.
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