What the ESD Association says about ESD Garments
ANSI/ESD S20.20 Paragraph 6.2.3.2. Protected Areas Guidance “All process essential insulators that have electrostatic fields that exceed 2,000 volts should be kept at a minimum distance of 12 inches from ESDS items.” Although ESD Smocks are not a S20.20 requirement, with regards to workers’ clothing, it’s a very effective means to comply with paragraph 6.2.3.2’s recommendation. Garment standard ESD-STM2.1-1997 paragraph 7. “Recommended Electrical Resistance Range, The recommended electrical resistance range is 1 x 10^5 ohms to 1 x 10^11 ohms.”

ESD Handbook TR 20.20 paragraph 5.3.13.1 Introduction and Purpose/ General Information “While a person may be grounded using a wrist strap or other grounding methods, that does not mean that insulative clothing fabrics can dissipate a charge to that person’s skin and then to ground. Clothing usually is electrically separate or isolated from the body.”

ESD Handbook TR 20.20 paragraph 5.3.13.2.6 Proper Use “After verifying that the garment has electrical conductivity through all panels, the garment should be electrically bonded to the grounding system of the wearer so as not to act as a floating [conductor]. Garments should be worn with the front properly snapped or buttoned to avoid exposure of possible charges on personal clothing worn under the garment.”

ESD Handbook TR 20.20 paragraph 5.3.13.3.1.6 Labels “A label should be considered with the manufacturers name or logo and date or lot code and ESD identification. This will identify the smock as an ESD protective garment and provide information as to the manufacturer and date of manufacture. The label should be legible after 50 commercial cleanings (washings).”ESD Handbook TR 20.20 paragraph 5.3.13.6 Other Considerations “For personnel safety, static control garments should not be worn in situations where there is exposure to high voltage.”