ACA Publishes New Static Electricity Guide

A workgroup of ACA's Occupational Health and Safety Committee has worked for several years on revising the Static Electricity Guide, and it is now available for members to access through the following link: http://www.paint.org/member/pubs/index.cfm#CC.

The newly revised Static Electricity Guide, formally the "Generation and Control of Static Electricity in Coatings Operations," helps readers better understand static electricity — a major source of ignition of fires and explosions. Although the information focuses on coatings operations, the principles apply anywhere flammable liquids, solids, and gases are used. The document addresses the technology and hazards of static electricity and how to identify when static charging is likely to occur. While static charging cannot be eliminated, limiting the generation and accumulation of electrostatic charges to safe levels can minimize the hazard of electrostatic spark ignition. The guide suggests ways to lower the risk of creating a static spark of sufficient energy to ignite flammable vapors, powders, and gases.

The guide may also be used as a basis to formulate a static electricity training program for operators and supervisory personnel responsible for manufacturing operations in coatings facilities. Awareness of static electricity and a basic understanding of how it is generated and how its effects can be mitigated can be a significant factor in the prevention of fires in coating operations.

For more information: contact ACA's Skip Edwards.

Date Posted: January 15, 2010