Electrostatic Hazard Assessment

Many processes and operations in a chemical plant involve handling and processing of liquids and powders, most of which could under certain conditions be flammable. Flammable gas, vapor, and dust cloud atmospheres can be ignited if a sufficiently energetic ignition source is present. One potential ignition source that, in many cases could be an inherent part of the process/operation is an electrostatic discharge. Electrostatic discharges result from the generation and accumulation of electrostatic charges. Electrostatic charge generation most commonly occurs whenever two materials, liquids and/or solids, make and then break contact with each other. The accumulation of the electrostatic charge can result in the creation of electrostatic discharges.