Things to remember when dressing for work
Many companies operating in the electronics industry face problems resulting from damage to fragile components due to ESD (electrostatic discharge). There are many reasons that may cause them, of course, but the practice shows that they are often a result of using the wrong work clothing – poorly chosen or of low quality.
The risk of not adhering to this apparently simple and obvious procedure may expose the company to significant losses, but despite this common knowledge, there are still cases where product defects can be linked to breaches of ESD security regarding employee clothing.
Seemingly minor shortcomings – such as threads protruding from seams, or a badly made anti-static fabric – losing properties after several washes – prove to be an indirect cause of damage to sensitive components. In extreme cases of this kind – it might seem – small errors may cause loss of research results or the need to withdraw defective products.
The person responsible for equipping employees with antistatic clothing – most often an ESD coordinator – thus faces an important task. In this article, we will look at the factors to pay attention to when choosing clothing for ESD zones.
The first and quite obvious step is the selection of proven and validated solutions. It is important to make sure that the properties of clothing we use are confirmed by independent institutions and meet the standards of use in the EPA zones. The easiest way to start is to check whether the product is CE marked. Producer marking the product with this sign declares that it meets the requirements of all applicable directives.
The next step to minimize the risk is to consider the washing and maintenance procedures of clothing. Antistatic clothing should not be washed in uncontrolled conditions, even in commercial laundries that are not specialized in this area. Following the manufacturer’s recommendations, appropriate procedures can be implemented in a company’s own structures, or delegated to an external entity. Reliable suppliers of clothing should also provide services for its ongoing servicing.
Another key aspect is the aforementioned quality. The selection of appropriate, tested materials and precision in details are the difference between the certainty that the product possesses and retains anti-static properties and unnecessary risk. To be able to properly assess the quality of the product, read the opinions of its long-term users and take note of how well the product is finished.
When choosing a piece of clothing, do not forget about the comfort of use. The outfit has to be loose enough not to restrict the movement and at the same time tight enough not to get in the way when performing precise tasks. It should also be remembered that the clothing chosen by us will be the everyday life for all employees of the ESD zone. Uncomfortable elements of the garment, for example causing skin abrasions or irritation, will obviously be disliked by employees, and that may reduce the productivity of work.
Providing comfort of use will always be easier if we make a choice of a brand with a wide range of products. This applies in particular to taking into account the sizes, types of clothes and cuts suited to different body shapes, of both men and women. It is worth considering the choice of a complete outfit, which is a standard set of: underwear, footwear, trousers, t-shirt and outerwear, such as shirts or coats, while taking into account the seasonality of some items of clothing.
An important element is also the possibility of personalizing the outfit, i.e. by ordering clothing visually suited to our needs: e.g. by embroidering a company logo or choosing suitable color and pattern. This need may have both an aesthetic and practical dimension – e.g. by allowing the identification of employees of individual company departments. Obvious is the advantage resulting from direct cooperation with the manufacturer or its accredited supplier.
As you can see, choosing the right clothing is not as easy as it might seem. In this situation, it is good to refer to the knowledge and experience of an expert. RENEX is a comprehensive supplier of equipment for the electronics industry. Thanks to 30 years of experience in the industry, the company undoubtedly knows the realities of electronics production and service. For 15 years, it has also been producing, under its REECO brand, devices, clothing and equipment for ESD zones and laboratories.
REECO, in addition to the highest quality of ESD clothing, also offers industrial furniture for ESD zones and equipment such as wrist straps with a ground connection cable and antistatic table and floor mats. This allows you to guarantee full protection in the ESD zone.
The REECO offer also includes clothing for cleanrooms – where clothing is one of the critical factors of process effectiveness and safety requirements. It is also worth mentioning that RENEX, under its CLEANROOM and CLEANSYS brands, also provides a full range of services and products for such zones.
By choosing comprehensive REECO solutions, ESD coordinators and thus employers receive a guarantee of the highest quality products created by industry specialists.
REECO, in addition to the highest quality of ESD clothing, also offers industrial furniture for ESD zones and equipment such as wrist straps with a ground connection cable and antistatic table and floor mats. This allows you to guarantee full protection in the ESD zone.
The REECO offer also includes clothing for cleanrooms – where clothing is one of the critical factors of process effectiveness and safety requirements. It is also worth mentioning that RENEX, under its CLEANROOM and CLEANSYS brands, also provides a full range of services and products for such zones.
By choosing comprehensive REECO solutions, ESD coordinators and thus employers receive a guarantee of the highest quality products created by industry specialists.
Više o REECO proizvodima možete saznati ovdje.
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