Official Mexican Standard NOM-022-STPS-2015, Static electricity in the workplace – Safety conditions.
We perform electrode resistance measurement studies and soil resistivity tests in Monterrey.
NOM-022 (Mexican workplace static-electricity safety standard) establishes the safety conditions in workplaces to prevent risks from static electricity and from atmospheric electrical discharges (lightning).
This standard applies throughout the national territory and covers the areas of workplaces where flammable or explosive substances are stored, handled, or transported, or those that, by the nature of their processes, materials, and equipment, are capable of storing or generating static electric charges.
This standard does not apply to motor vehicles, rail vehicles, vessels, and/or aircraft used for land, sea, river, or air transport, which fall under the authority of the Ministry of Communications and Transportation (Secretaría de Comunicaciones y Transportes).
Official Mexican Standard NOM-022-STPS-2015, Static electricity in the workplace – Safety conditions.
What is the objective of NOM-022-STPS Grounding – Static Electricity?
The objective of NOM-022-STPS Grounding – Static Electricity is to establish preventive conditions in the building or premises, due to the risk of static electricity, of the workplace where flammable or explosive substances are stored, handled, or transported, or in those companies that, by the nature of their processes, materials, and equipment, are capable of storing or generating static electric charges, as well as from atmospheric electrical discharges.
Why is static electricity dangerous?
Although static electricity is not a direct threat to human life, an electric shock produced by a static charge can cause a startle, and if we were on an elevated surface, we could suffer a serious injury from the fall. Static electricity is a concern in hazardous locations, where a static spark can have enough energy to ignite vapors and dust clouds.
How do you comply with NOM-022-STPS to prevent static electricity?
The main points to comply with are:
- Have a Ground Resistance Measurement Study of the grounding network.
- Verify continuity at the grounding connection points and measure relative humidity when necessary to control the generation and buildup of static electricity.
- Have your Fire Classification Study under NOM-002-STPS (Mexican workplace fire prevention standard) in order to determine whether you must install a lightning protection system.
- Educate and train workers involved in activities in which static electricity is generated or accumulates, in the installation and inspection of grounding systems and lightning protection systems
- Document the safety and health actions and improvements implemented.
