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Electrostatics Safety 101 and 201 with Richard Puig

Electrostatics Safety 101 and 201 with Richard Puig

David Tabar David Tabar
8 minute read

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Safety Expert Richard Puig of Newson-Gale Talks Electrostatics and Safety

Welcome to Electrostatics Safety 101 and 201

Dave talks with Richard Puig from Newsom-Gale about Electrostatics and Safety

Welcome to another insightful edition of Mighty Line Minute! Today, we have the pleasure of hosting Richard Puig, Product Manager for Newson-Gale in the Americas. Richard joins us to shed light on a crucial yet often misunderstood topic: static electricity and its control. Whether you're new to the concept or looking to deepen your knowledge, this discussion will cover the fundamentals of electrostatics and advanced strategies for static control.

Understanding Static Electricity

Static electricity is a fundamental concept in electrostatics, characterized by the accumulation of electric charge on the surface of materials. This phenomenon occurs when materials gain or lose electrons through friction or contact. As Richard Puig explains, static electricity is generated whenever materials move, mix, or flow, causing electrons to transfer between them. This imbalance can lead to static discharge, which can be hazardous, especially in environments where flammable or explosive materials are present.

The Role of Conductivity and Resistivity in Electrostatics and Safety

To grasp static electricity's implications, it’s essential to understand conductivity and resistivity. Conductivity measures a material's ability to conduct electrical current, while resistivity measures its opposition to current flow. For instance, water is highly conductive, whereas substances like methanol or toluene have lower conductivity. When less conductive materials become imbalanced, they are more likely to build up a significant charge, which can result in a more substantial discharge when they finally release that charge.

Static Electricity in Hazardous Environments

Static electricity can pose significant risks in various industries, including pharmaceuticals, petrochemicals, and food processing. Richard emphasizes the importance of controlling static in environments where flammable or combustible materials are handled. The movement of these materials can generate static electricity, and without proper control measures, the resulting discharges can lead to fires or explosions.

Bonding and Grounding: Essential Safety Measures in Electrostatics and Safety

Bonding and grounding are critical practices in static control. Bonding ensures that all conductive parts are electrically connected, preventing the build-up of static charges. Grounding provides a path for static charges to safely dissipate into the earth. Richard highlights the importance of these measures in preventing static discharge, particularly in processes involving the transfer of materials between different containers or systems.

Practical Solutions for Static Control - In Electrostatics and Safety

1. Static-Dissipative Footwear: One of the simplest yet effective ways to manage static electricity is through the use of static-dissipative footwear. This type of footwear helps to discharge static electricity from an individual to the ground, reducing the risk of flammable atmosphere ignitions from electrostatic-generated sparks. Richard discusses the use of footwear testers like the Sole-Mate™, which ensures that employees' footwear is functioning correctly by verifying its conductivity while being worn by personnel.

2. Flooring Considerations: The type of flooring in hazardous areas also plays a crucial role in static control. Concrete floors are generally better than most epoxy-coated floors, which may not be static-dissipative or conductive. Proper flooring combined with static-dissipative (“SD” or “ESD”) footwear can prevent static charge accumulation and mitigate risks.

3. Process Control Systems: Newson-Gale offers advanced systems to ensure proper bonding and grounding during various processes. These systems provide visual and operational feedback, such as red and green lights, to indicate the status of grounding connections. They also include interlocks that prevent operation if grounding conditions are not met, ensuring that static control measures are always in place.

Newson-Gale's Expertise and Resources in Electrostatics and Safety

For those interested in learning more about static control and the solutions provided by Newson-Gale, Richard directs readers to their website, Newson-Gale.com. The site offers comprehensive information on their products and services, and potential customers can request field visits from regional managers for personalized consultations.

Richard's extensive experience and knowledge in the field underscore the importance of proactive static control measures. By implementing the right strategies and using appropriate equipment, organizations can significantly reduce the risk of static-related incidents.

Thank you for joining us on this edition of Mighty Line Minute. We hope this discussion has provided valuable insights into the world of electrostatics and static control. Stay safe, and we look forward to bringing you more expert insights in the future.

Check out Newson-Gale's offerings and enhance your understanding of static electricity control. And be sure to look at MightyLineTape.com for the full range of safety and operational excellence products from Mighty Line, including floor tape, floor safety signs, clear “windows” for bar or scan codes or instructions, and new products.

 Have a MIGHTY Day

Dave


Background on Newson-Gale and Electrostatics and Safety


Newson-Gale: Pioneers in Electrostatics Safety

Read more about them - https://newson-gale.com/ 

Newson-Gale is a leading company specializing in electrostatic safety, providing critical grounding and bonding solutions to industries that handle flammable and combustible materials. With decades of experience, the company has become synonymous with innovation and reliability in mitigating the dangers associated with static electricity in hazardous environments.

Early Days and Formation

Newson-Gale was founded in the mid-20th century, a time when industrial processes were advancing rapidly, and the risks associated with static electricity were becoming more evident. As industries such as chemicals, pharmaceuticals, and petrochemicals grew, so did the need for robust safety solutions to prevent fires and explosions caused by static discharge. The company was established with a clear mission: to develop and provide reliable solutions that could safeguard industrial environments from the potentially catastrophic effects of static electricity.

From the outset, Newson-Gale focused on creating products that addressed the specific challenges faced by industries operating in hazardous zones. The company's early innovations included grounding and bonding devices designed to prevent the buildup of static electricity, which could lead to sparks and, consequently, dangerous explosions. These solutions were quickly adopted by industries worldwide, establishing Newson-Gale as a trusted name in electrostatic safety.

Expansion and Innovation in Electrostatics and Safety

Over the years, Newson-Gale continued to expand its product offerings, keeping pace with the evolving needs of its customers. The company's commitment to innovation led to the development of more advanced grounding systems, including those that offer continuous monitoring and fail-safe features. These systems ensure that any issues with grounding are immediately detected, preventing potential hazards before they can cause harm.

Newson-Gale's products are now used in a wide range of industries, including oil and gas, pharmaceuticals, food processing, and chemicals. The company's solutions are designed to meet the strict safety standards required in these industries, providing peace of mind to operators and helping to protect both people and property.

Electrostatics and Safety

Static electricity is a significant concern in industries that handle flammable substances. When two materials come into contact and then separate, electrons can be transferred from one material to the other, creating an electrostatic charge. In environments where flammable gases, vapors, or dust are present, this charge can discharge as a spark, potentially igniting an explosive atmosphere.

Newson-Gale's grounding and bonding solutions are designed to prevent these dangerous static discharges. By ensuring that all equipment and personnel are properly grounded, these systems dissipate static charges safely into the earth, preventing the buildup of hazardous static electricity.

Commitment to Safety and Electrostatics

Newson-Gale's ongoing commitment to safety is evident in its continuous research and development efforts. The company invests heavily in understanding the latest industry challenges and developing solutions that address emerging risks. This dedication to safety and innovation has helped Newson-Gale maintain its position as a global leader in electrostatic safety.

Today, Newson-Gale continues to protect industries worldwide, providing essential safety solutions that help prevent accidents and save lives. As industrial processes become more complex, the company's role in ensuring safety in hazardous environments remains as vital as ever.

From Mighty Line on our floor marking tape

Mighty Line tape is recognized not only for its durability and visibility but also for its antistatic properties, making it an essential safety product in environments where electrostatic discharge (ESD) can pose significant risks.

1.21E+11 Ohms/square = 1.21 x 1011 Ohms/square is where Mighty Line tested at.

Unlike regular tape, which can accumulate and hold a static charge, Mighty Line tape safely dissipates static electricity, preventing the buildup of dangerous charges. 



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