How To Avoid Electric/static Shock With Everyday Items ?

[bond]

At work, I am constantly experiencing static shocks (and quite bad ones) on my fingers when I touch the tap or open the fridge in the kitchen area. I know it is worse when the air is dry but what is the best practical way to avoid this ? I tried using a carrier bag in my hand but still got a shock inside the fridge. Someone suggested touching the fridge door with a metal key first. I can't walk to the kitchen in bare feet/without shoes at work, nor can I get rid of the carpet at my desk (assuming these things contribute to it). Many thanks. Also not sure which best category to post this.

[Buenchico]

>>> I know it is worse when the air is dry but what is the best practical way to avoid this ?

Rather obviously, by preventing it from getting so dry:
http://www.argos.co.uk/browse/home-and-garden/heating-and-cooling/humidifiers/c:29442/

See also here:
https://www.stylemepretty.com/living/2012/12/01/how-to-get-rid-of-static-electricity/

[Tilly2]

Wear natural fibres.

[sapelesam]

Can you hang a chain down from your bum, like they used to do with cars.

[bond]

Can I have some serious practical replies please for the workplace. If not then don't bother.

[sapelesam]

Sense of humour bypass.

[Tilly2]

My serious answer is 'wear natural fibres'.

[Hymie]

Many safety shoes are anti-static in that their soles are made with conductive material that prevents the build up of static on your body.

Unfortunately most appear to be for men, although they are available in women’s styles. If you are happy wearing trainers, there are many that would suit and you would be protected in the event of dropping something heavy on your foot.

https://www.toolstation.com/shop/p80663?table=no

[4candles]

When I worked on electronic equipment at BT we had to wear one of these -
Amazon.co.uk User Recommendation

Attach the clip to earth before opening the fridge etc, and the static will be discharged via a very high resistance - therefore you won't feel it.

[ladybirder]

That must be what happens to me sometimes when I open my car door. The shock practically throws me in the air.

[Hymie]

Ladybirder – to avoid such shocks, when exiting you car hold on to the metal doorframe of the vehicle. That way, as your body is generating the static electricity, it is simultaneously being discharged – avoiding the build-up of a static charge.

[Old_Geezer]

Surely the metal key suggestion was a non-serious answer ?

In work, complain to your boss and HR. Bad enough the company has the wrong carpetting down at all, but if they aren't interested in replacing it there are sprays they can regularly use to dampen down the effect. Maybe you can get a natural fibre rug for under your chair/desk.

You need to stop charge building up rather that finding ways to discharge it. Clothing and footwear choice helps. Avoid manmade fabrics and rubber soles.

Probably helps being nice to responders to your question, too.

[ladybirder]

Thank you for your advice Hymie. I have taken note.

[beso]

The charge is building up on your body and on the car which is insulated from the ground by the tyres. The shock you feel is when that electricity is discharged. Touching the ground while you are still insulated from the car by the seat mean your body gets grounded. Then you touch the car metal and whack, the car discharges at your finger.

Holding the frame of the car before you get out means the discharge to the ground happens at your shoes so you don't feel it.

You could jump into the air before you touch the tap so the discharge happens at your shoe. ;)

[Hymie]

beso’s analysis by which a shock is received from a vehicle is not correct.

Although the body of a car is insulated from earth, any build up of static (on the vehicle body) is insufficient to be felt. Some years ago it was shown that those conductive strips people attached between the rear bumper/body to ground did nothing – and the company making them ceased trading.

As you get out of a vehicle, the static charge is built up on your body as a result of the interaction (movement) between your clothes and the car seat material. Having managed to exit the vehicle without touching anything metallic/conductive – your body will have gained a static charge. Many times I have received a shock when I put the key in the garage door lock, discharging the charge.

As the car body is not earthed, the reason you receive a shock when touch the car body is that the static charge on your body is shared equally between you and the car. Since the car is much larger than you, in sharing the charge, most of the charge is now on the car, giving the same effect as discharging to earth.

Since it is quite difficult to exit a car without at least one foot being on the ground – wearing anti-static shoes should also prevent static build up in this situation.

[douglas9401]

I guess this is why F1 drivers take instruction as to how to leave their car after a breakdown or crash and check behind for a green light.

[EDDIE51]

Where are you? In this cold damp air humidity is almost 100% , you should not be getting static. I get it but only in dry weather with low humidity.

[alavahalf]

If you are after ESD shoes the 2 main manufacturers for the electronics industry are Cofra and Abeba.
Just google these names and you will have a choice of 100s of styles.
I have to wear them at work and have a pair of either make. If you do get a pair of Abeba shoes make sure you order a whole size larger than you normaly wear as they come out a size smaller than you want. Cofra come in at standard size.

[douglas9401]

Unfortunately the laws of physics operate outwith Eddie's world so, regardless of personal belief, static shock is possible anywhere.