Wrist Strap or Foot Strap or Both?

Guest

our qa manager required operators to wear only a foot strap in the production area. some companies i know require both a wrist strap and a foot strap in the production area. others require only a wrist strap. is wearing only a foot strap or only a wrist strap enough to prevent esd? or should both be worn?

test supv

Posted: Wed Sep 03, 2026 1:33 pm Post subject:

Test Supv,

The answer to your question depends on how your operators “work” or “move” around the work place. The key to good ESD control is to keep the operator connected to the common ground at all times.

Thus, wearing a foot strap alone may not be adequate if the operator can raise both her feet off the conductive flooring while sitting in her work station. On the other hand, wrist straps limit the mobility of the operator, so there will also be a problem if the operator unplugs her wrist strap from time to time as she moves around the workplace.

The ideal case therefore is when the operator wears both a foot strap and a wrist strap, because the wrist strap grounds the operator while sitting, and the foot strap grounds the operator while moving around. If this is not possible for you, your best bet is to design your work process such that the operator is always grounded before she handles ESD-sensitive parts, whether she uses a wrist strap or a foot strap.

Note that foot straps will only work if you have conductive flooring that’s properly connected to the common ground at adequate intervals.

Thanks and keep on posting!!!

EE