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Ensuring a safe and secure workplace is important for any business. With lots of foot traffic from everyday tasks, the accumulation of static electricity can easily lead to hazardous situations if not adequately addressed. Fortunately, anti-static flooring provides a simple and effective solution to tackle safety concerns related to static electricity buildup in the workplace.

Dangers of static electricity buildup

Static electricity buildup happens when movement between two surfaces generates an electric charge. This process of accumulating an electric charge is known as triboelectric charging, resulting in a static charge.

When the amount of static electricity expands and comes in contact with a conductive object, the charge moves between the two objects and neutralizes. This creates a discharge and sometimes produces a spark.

Workers can become part of the discharge path, especially when they touch or handle materials, tools or equipment that have accumulated static charge. This can lead to potentially dangerous accidents. Also, equipment and machinery can be affected if adequate precautions are not taken.

This can be a severe problem for facilities where repairs or damaged equipment mean costly downtime. Understanding the dangers of static electricity and its potential impact on workers and equipment is crucial for any industrial workplace.

How anti-static floors work

The anti-static coating has conductive elements within the mixture that allow it to capture built-up static electricity workers produce as they walk upon the floor. This prevents high levels of electrostatic discharge (ESD) from accumulating and damaging sensitive equipment and hurting people.

Anti-static flooring was chemically engineered to dissipate ESD while increasing the safety of employees. The materials used while manufacturing anti-static flooring take the electrostatic discharge from the employees when they make contact with the flooring.

Longevity and maintenance

In addition to the safety benefits of anti-static flooring, the material is long-lasting and durable. ESD anti-static flooring’s durable properties resist scratches, stains and chemical spills. Anti-

static flooring is also easy to clean and maintain. It can withstand frequent cleaning without losing its anti-static properties.

But while this flooring is highly durable, some soaps can harm the epoxy layer. This layer plays a crucial role in maintaining the anti-static properties of the floor, and any damage to it can weaken its effectiveness.

Understanding how to care for your anti-static epoxy flooring is important to keeping your floors in excellent condition. In highly trafficked areas, the flooring can easily be cleaned with a dust mop. But if you need a deeper clean, try using water and a sponge, which should effectively do the job.

If you encounter more significant spills and stains that require an even deeper clean on your anti-static floors, consider spot treating with soap-free cleansers to ensure longevity and effectiveness of the flooring’s anti-static properties.

Conclusion

By incorporating anti-static flooring, you can effectively mitigate potentially dangerous accidents caused by ESD. Preventing electrostatic discharge safeguards your employees and creates peace of mind that your workplace is safe against potential hazards. It also acts as a protective shield, keeping expensive equipment safe.

To discover how Protective Industrial Polymers can transform your industrial workplace into a secure and hazard-free environment, don’t hesitate to contact us.

Sean Walsh
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