Electrostatic shock is an everyday occurrence in multiple industries, especially if you work with electronics.

Electrostatic charge can lead to damage to delicate parts of electronics like chips and other small elements.

Static charge naturally builds up in most people and animals, so how can it be avoided? Below, we discuss what electrostatic is and how it can be negated, as well as how to eliminate electrostatic discharge in the workplace.

What is Electrostatic Force and Discharge?

Have you ever grabbed a shopping trolley, shaken someone’s hand or opened a door, just to be met with a small electric shock? Well, that is the build-up of electrostatic force and discharge in action. In people, it’s usually trivial, but it can have major effects on solid-state electronics.

Electrostatic force (or discharge) is defined as the sudden flow of electricity between two charged objects. Usually, this happens between human skin (which carries a positive charge) and synthetic materials (which carry a negative charge).

Over time, the electrostatic force on an electronic device can wear down its chips. This impacts how well the device functions. If the electrostatic force builds up, then a business could face costly (and avoidable) maintenance costs.

How to Eliminate Electrostatic Discharge

Eliminating electrostatic discharge is – thankfully – easy to do. There just needs to be a process in place where the person using an electronic device “grounds” themselves, thus removing the charge.

 There are a few methods to do this, but in a work setting, we recommend using one of the following:

• Grounding mat
  A grounding mat is simply somewhere where a worker stands before handling electronics. This grounds the user, removing the electrostatic charge.
• Specialised gloves
  Using specialised rubber gloves can minimise the chance of electrostatic charge building up.
• Bonding plugs
  Connects matting, wrist straps and other equipment to a common grounding point, removing the charge.

There are other more DIY methods, such as using a metal wire hanger or dryer sheets, but in a professional workplace, you need something with 100% effectiveness.

<h2>How Labels Help to Prevent Electrostatic Damage</h2>

Labels have one primary role: reminding employees of the dangers of electrostatic force. By reminding employees to remove their charge, you can ensure the right steps are taken to keep electronics in good condition.

Labels need to be placed in Electrostatic Protected Areas (EPA) to identify grounding points and equipment. Without this, it’ll be difficult to put a proper process in place and, down the line, a busy worker will forget to ground themselves. Over time, this could rack up significant maintenance costs.

Get High-Quality Electrostatic Labels Today

To keep your equipment safe, we recommend investing in proper electrostatic processes and labels. These can save you and your business thousands in costly maintenance fees.

Get high-quality electrostatic labels today from Label Source. And for all the latest industry news, be sure to follow us on Twitter.

The use of asbestos can be traced back to BC Europe. It became popular as a construction material after the Industrial Revolution and was a mainstay until the 1980s. It has now been banned in most parts of the world but remains popular in developing countries.

The material has been linked to numerous respiratory disorders, so those removing it must take steps to keep themselves safe. People can only protect themselves once they know asbestos is present, and that’s where asbestos warning signs come in.

Many old buildings still contain asbestos. These buildings require ongoing maintenance, construction or destruction, meaning workers are still regularly exposed to asbestos, even in developed countries.

Below, we discuss the role of asbestos warning signs and stickers, the basics of asbestos safety and how to deal with asbestos generally.

Asbestos Safety: What Does The Law Say?

Asbestos has been banned in the UK since 1999. Since it has only been banned for 21 years, asbestos is still a common problem in the UK. For that reason, UK laws focus on the safe disposal of asbestos and a commitment to creating safer buildings going forward.

When left alone, asbestos is usually fine. However, when demolished or tampered with, the dust and microfibers it lets off causes Mesothelioma, a chronic respiratory disease, as well as other, sometimes fatal, diseases.

The Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 is the most recent law passed to curb asbestos-related danger. The updated regulations state:

• If asbestos is in good condition, it may be left in place. However, it must be regularly assessed to ensure it doesn’t become a danger.
• Managers of non-domestic properties have a “duty” to inspect asbestos.
• If you’re demolishing or renovating a building, you must carry out a full asbestos inspection and note down associated risks.
• Removal of asbestos is to be undertaken by a licenced contractor in the majority of cases.
• Non-licenced removals by self-employed or other members of staff must have health surveillance by a registered doctor.

Any workers or people wrongfully exposed to asbestos will be liable to claim damages, so you must signpost it properly.

Further information and guidance can be found on the HSE website. 

How To Use Asbestos Warning Signs

Asbestos warning signs are pretty self-explanatory. They warn about the potential of being exposed to asbestos and are helpful to notify on-site workers and people passing working sites by of the dangers.

To use asbestos warning signs properly, we recommend:

• Placing them in areas well before the asbestos is present to give onlookers proper warning.
• Selecting clear, easy-to-see places to display them.
• Integrating signposting and labels into the asbestos risk assessment.
• Regularly testing areas to see if intact asbestos has degraded or become damaged.

If you’re wondering how to protect yourself from asbestos in a proactive way, signs are the best way. When combined with proper safety equipment, masks and other equipment, they can provide necessary, early warnings to at-risk people.

Get High-Quality Asbestos Warning Signs Today

If your work or building site requires asbestos protection, then consider investing in some asbestos warning signs.

We have a range of signs, stickers and labels that clearly and concisely communicate what you need.

Climate change and conservation are complicated challenges that will be with us well into the future. These problems can have a sense of enormity about them which can make us feel like we do not have a part to play in the solution. However, workplaces and employees can make changes that have an impact.

How can employers and employees help, then? What are some sustainability in the workplace ideas that anyone can use? Well, steps as small as using conservation signs can facilitate greening the workplace.

Below, we discuss how signs can play a part in conservation techniques in the workplace and explain how to use them.

What Are Conservation Signs?

Conservation signs help keep people aware of energy-saving solutions in the workplace. They can be as simple as reminders to turn off the lights, or more detailed guides.

Examples of conservation signs include:

• Conserve water, light and electricity signs
• Reminders to turn off lights and heating
• Pocket guides
• Switch-off signs for electrical equipment

In the busy day-to-day of most workplaces, it’s easy to forget to switch things off, turn the heating down or save energy at every juncture.

Conservation signs are there to act as a physical reminder of this, meaning employees will naturally fall into energy-saving patterns. When it comes to sustainability in the workplace ideas, they can be one of the more effective.

How Should You Use Conservation Signs?

Of course, signs alone can’t do all the heavy lifting; there needs to be a strategy in place to complement them. In simple terms, ensure conservation signs are:

• In areas of high people traffic, so more employees can read them.
• Place on all switches. If you don’t have enough signs, just place signs on switches which use the most energy (large electrical equipment, the most demanding lights, etc.)
• Use conservation signs in conjunction with training your staff about climate change and energy reduction. Pocket guides can help them consolidate this information.

When paired with waste-reduction strategies, you can use conservation signs to make each part of your business more efficient. It won’t just save you a few quid on energy costs; it’ll also be an important step to curb climate change.

If you want to figure out how to minimise waste in the workplace – or you wish to see some waste reduction strategies for business – consider our detailed blog How to Improve Recycling in the Workplace with Label Source's Help.

Get High-Quality Conservation Signs Today

Are you tired of your business’ high energy costs? Want your employees to return to a green workplace? Then discover our range of conservation signs today.

If you’re more interested in environmental labels, then read our blog Environmental Labels: How Labelling Looks After The Environment.