Antistatic footwear is protective equipment developed to dissipate static energy from the user's body in a controlled manner. In other words, this type of safety footwear prevents the accumulation of electrostatic charges and avoids sudden discharges (sparks) that can cause fires, explosions, or damage sensitive electronic equipment.
Safetline highlights the importance of this footwear: in addition to protecting workers and industrial environments against static risks, it brings direct benefits in productivity and loss reduction. Below, understand in detail what antistatic footwear is, its applications, advantages, and how Safetline ensures the quality of these essential PPEs.
What is antistatic footwear and what is it used for?
Antistatic footwear, also called dissipative footwear, is designed to neutralize static energy accumulated in the body. Unlike common shoes, its outsole is produced with special additives that allow the controlled dissipation of this energy. This mechanism acts together with the antistatic insole, an essential component to ensure that the discharge occurs gradually and safely.
This composition allows static charges to be continuously dissipated to the ground at a safe rate, preventing accumulation. Thus, the user is protected against electrostatic shocks when touching metallic objects or equipment, and the generation of ignition sparks in flammable environments is prevented. In short, antistatic footwear reduces or eliminates body static energy, ensuring greater safety.
It is worth noting that, in international standards, this type of PPE is identified by the symbol "A" (for anti-static). To meet the standard, the footwear must present a specific electrical resistance range (usually between 0.1 megaohm and 1000 megaohms). This controlled resistance ensures that static discharge occurs slowly and safely, fast enough to avoid dangerous accumulation.
Important: antistatic footwear is not made for electrical insulation (as we will see below); its purpose is exclusively to dissipate charges and protect against the effects of static energy, not against electrical shocks from live circuits.
What is the difference between antistatic footwear and insulating footwear?
Many people confuse antistatic footwear with electrical insulating footwear (also called electrician footwear). It is important to highlight that each type has specific and distinct functions.
Antistatic footwear, as we have seen, is designed to continuously dissipate electrostatic charges to the ground, avoiding energy accumulation in the body. Electrical insulating footwear, on the other hand, is designed to completely isolate the user from electrical currents, serving as a barrier against electrical shocks.
In practice, this means that antistatic footwear has controlled conductivity and must allow charge leakage; while electrician footwear is non-conductive, meaning it is insulating and cannot contain any metallic parts.
For example, dielectric footwear used by electricians follows the ABNT NBR 16603 standard and withstands up to 500V in a dry environment, offering protection during the execution of activities on energized components.
Antistatic footwear does not protect against electric shocks; if a worker wearing antistatic footwear touches a live wire, the current can pass through to the ground, causing a shock with a risk of death.
Therefore, never substitute one PPE for the other: in activities with a risk of electrocution (electrical maintenance, live lines), use appropriate electrical insulating footwear (Safetline offers options of this type in its line, see electrical insulating footwear). On the other hand, in contexts where the danger is accumulated static energy (and not an electric shock), antistatic footwear is the right choice.
Where is antistatic footwear used?
Antistatic footwear is mandatory or highly recommended in various sectors and work environments. Generally, it appears in activities where a simple spark could be catastrophic or where static energy can damage products. Check out some application examples:
Flammable and explosive environments
Petrochemical industries, refineries, defense manufacturing (ammunition, explosives), and environments with flammable gases or vapors require antistatic footwear. In these areas, the accumulation of charge on the worker's body could generate a spark and initiate an explosion. Antistatic PPE prevents this risk by continuously discharging energy to the ground, keeping the environment safe.
Gas stations and transport of flammable liquids
At gas stations, tank truck fueling sites, and fuel loading operations, the use of antistatic footwear is fundamental. The goal is the same: to prevent sparks near fuels. Truck drivers transporting flammable liquids and workers handling solvents or alcohol in tanks also benefit from this PPE, preventing accidental fires.
Electronics industry and cleanrooms
Electronics, computing, telecommunications, and semiconductor companies adopt antistatic footwear (often called ESD shoes) to protect sensitive components. Microchips, circuit boards, and devices can be ruined by minimal, and sometimes imperceptible, static discharges.
In these factories and laboratories, all employees wear dissipative clothing and footwear to avoid spoiling assembly products. After all, a discharge of just 30 volts is enough to damage ultra-sensitive electronic components (a value far below what humans can feel).
Chemical, pharmaceutical, and textile industries
Environments processing flammable chemicals or combustible powders (such as in pharmaceuticals) also pose a risk of static ignition. In the textile sector, although the explosion danger is lower, accumulated static can attract unwanted dust and lint or cause small shocks to operators, impacting work quality. Antistatic footwear helps minimize these occurrences, improving safety and comfort.
Paint booths and environments with explosive dusts
In automotive paint booths (electrostatic painting) and handling grains or sugar (where there is suspended combustible dust), static electricity must be strictly controlled. In these scenarios, in addition to grounding systems and controlled humidity, workers wear antistatic footwear to prevent sparks from igniting the mixture of air and particles.
Therefore, whenever there is a potentially explosive atmosphere, flammable materials, or sensitive electronic equipment, antistatic footwear becomes indispensable PPE. Responsible companies map these risks and require the use of appropriate footwear to protect both people and production processes.
Benefits of antistatic footwear for safety and productivity
Antistatic footwear increases safety and improves operational results by controlling static energy.
- Accident prevention: In areas with flammable gases, vapors, or dusts, static can generate sparks. The use of antistatic footwear reduces the chance of ignition and complements machine grounding and other safety controls.
- Equipment protection: Electrostatic discharges can damage boards, sensors, and automation systems. Industry estimates indicate that up to 30% of electronic failures are related to static. By dissipating charge, footwear reduces breakdowns, reboots, and data losses, with fewer unforeseen downtime events and lower maintenance costs.
- Proven savings: Consistent static control programs, which include antistatic footwear, can generate an ROI of up to 1000% per year through reduced rework and scrap. There are practical cases, such as AT&T facilities, with a reduction of over 50% in rework after adopting these measures.
- Real case: To illustrate, two facilities of telecommunications giant AT&T implemented the use of footwear and other antistatic measures on their production lines. As a result, they achieved a reduction of over 50% in rework costs for defective parts. That is, more than half of the resources previously consumed to remake boards and components damaged by ESD were saved. The savings could have been even greater if reworks unrelated to static were excluded from the calculation, but even so, the positive impact was proven. This case highlights how investing in antistatic footwear and ESD measures directly reflects in process improvement and waste reduction.
- Productivity and quality: With fewer defects and interruptions, lines flow better. The team works with more confidence, final quality increases, and delivery to the customer becomes more predictable.
More than complying with standards, antistatic footwear protects people and processes, reduces costs, and sustains productivity. Safetline offers certified models for different environments, aligning safety and performance.
Standards and certifications for antistatic footwear
As it is PPE, antistatic footwear must have a valid CA according to NR-6 and comply with ABNT NBR ISO 20345, ABNT NBR ISO 20346, and ABNT NBR ISO 20347, which identify the attribute with the symbol "A" and define dissipation tests and electrical resistance ranges. Only approved models can carry this marking.
The product must feature the symbol "A" and the CA number on the label or insole for easy checking. To maintain effectiveness, use antistatic insoles and accessories from the same footwear brand, avoid socks that block energy dissipation, and perform proper cleaning and drying.
Safetline manufactures antistatic models with current CA and "A" marking, guaranteeing compliance and performance. Footwear identification also includes pictogram engraving, enabling quick visual confirmation.
Safetline Antistatic Footwear: certified quality and technology
Safetline has been a benchmark in safety footwear for over 50 years and offers certified antistatic models. All follow ABNT NBR ISO 20345, ABNT NBR ISO 20346, and ABNT NBR ISO 20347 and have a valid CA from the Ministry of Labor, ensuring performance and reliability.
The models feature an average electrical resistance close to 50 MΩ, an ideal range for controlled static electricity dissipation. Each batch is tested in an in-house laboratory before reaching the market.
The construction combines a dual-density PU outsole with high grip, conventional insoles, and toe cap options in steel, plastic, or composite.
In summary, by choosing Safetline, the user gets reliable, durable, and comfortable antistatic footwear, supported by continuous investment in research and development.
Protect your team with Safetline Antistatic Footwear
Antistatic footwear plays a crucial role in workplace safety across various sectors. It protects against an invisible enemy – static energy – which can cause everything from minor inconveniences to severe accidents.
In this article, we covered what this footwear is, where it should be used, and the clear benefits it provides to both workers and companies. Adopting the correct use of this PPE means preventing fires and explosions, safeguarding expensive equipment, improving productivity, and even saving money in the long run.
Safetline, a specialist in safety footwear, emphasizes that prevention is always worth it. If your company handles flammable environments or sensitive technology, or if you are a professional who values safety, consider incorporating antistatic footwear into your routine today.
Get in touch with our consultants or discover Safetline Antistatic Footwear on our website.
Protect yourself now with the expertise of a decades-long industry benchmark; Safetline is ready to walk alongside you toward a safer work environment free from static risks!