What are ESD shoes?

ESD shoes are used in industries with flammable substances and electronics assembly workshops. What are they, why are they necessary, how and from what do they protect you? Where are they suitable to wear, and what types are offered in the Bultex99.com online store section?

What are ESD shoes

These are personal protective equipment against the accumulation of excess electrostatic charge, which builds up in the human body in various ways: by touching clothes, hair, plastic or synthetic products, fabric, etc. ESD shoes provide the free discharge of the accumulated charge in the body to the ground, preventing the appearance of electric sparks during discharge and the occurrence of incidents such as fires. The three-letter abbreviation comes from the English Electro Static Discharge.

In appearance, specialized ESD shoes look like ordinary shoes but are always distinguished by a pictogram—a special yellow-black marking with a triangle and semicircle. They are intended for use in EPA zones (ESD protected area). These are rooms protected from electrostatic discharges. They are commonly found in companies engaged in microelectronics production. This protective measure is essential because electrostatic discharges can affect the accuracy of measuring instruments.

The main features of ESD shoes are their wear resistance and increased strength. They are resistant to chemical exposure and have anti-slip properties. They require no special care and are suitable for daily wear due to their usual design, allowing them to fit any outfit.

How they protect

Like all types of protective footwear, ESD shoes have different levels of protection. The protective mechanisms lie in the choice and use of appropriate materials during manufacturing:

• The upper part can be made of natural leather with water-repellent and oil-resistant coating or textile materials, but the main point is the selection and treatment of the inserted material to conduct electrostatic charge away;
• In the production of a "waterproof" model, the tongue is sewn tightly along its entire length so that dirt and water do not enter the inside of the ESD shoes. The sole is made of two-layer polyurethane, resistant to oil and gasoline, acids, and bases. The material is antistatic and wear-resistant. It has the ability to dissipate electrostatic charge and provides good foot comfort even during prolonged wear;
• For rapid discharge and release of accumulated static electricity, the entire sole and surface of the ESD shoes must be made of conductive material with a specific resistance not exceeding 10 ohms per centimeter. Otherwise, the discharge of accumulated electric charge will be slower, and there will always be accumulation and retention;
• Protective antistatic ESD shoes provide the desired protection regardless of whether they are worn barefoot or with socks. The presence of natural or synthetic material is not a problem for ensuring normal and full electrostatic protection.

What models are available

The individual varieties are the familiar types from regular shoes without the ESD abbreviation: clogs, sandals, boots, and others. As mentioned, they are worn not only in special work conditions but also find use in everyday life.

For which professions are they suitable

Due to the ability of static charge to flow from the sole to the conductive floor, ESD shoes are mainly worn in so-called "clean zones" for microelectronics production, laboratories, warehouses, workshops, and preparation areas.

Wearing them is required in the oil and gas industry, where even a small spark from static electricity can cause massive fires. They are often required in aviation industry enterprises, medical laboratories and diagnostic centers, scientific laboratories with sensitive measuring equipment, and when handling flammable and explosive liquids.

Due to the increased sensitivity of electronics to excess static electricity, wearing ESD shoes is required where computer and military equipment is assembled, electronic components and microchips are handled, in server rooms, and many other fields.

Advantages of the Bultex99.com online store

The company Bultex 99 and the Bultex99 brand specialize in the production of work uniforms and personal protective equipment. The company has been on the industry market for many years and has already proven the high quality of its products and their affordable prices. Reinvesting a large percentage of profits into expanding production capacities and building its own ecosystem has allowed us to carry out precise and strict control both in production processes and in logistics, warehousing, transportation, and commercial activities.

We provide jobs for many people; a certain percentage of production processes are automated, eliminating the human error factor. This leads to reduced defects and the output of high-quality products stored and sold in a commercial area of 10,000 sq. m. Owning an entire ecosystem allows us to continuously monitor and control production and commercial activities, optimize costs, and offer deals aligned with product quality.

Our customers receive attractive offers, periodic discounts, fast deliveries, and service. We provide free, fast, and quality customer service by specialists. You can contact our experts both by phone and in writing via email or chat.

The Bultex99 online store is extremely functional and adaptable to the screen size of the device. Here you will find a huge variety of ESD shoes and other workwear and uniforms for maximum personal labor protection. Our products are suitable for use at home or at the workplace. They are made from durable and quality materials that are wear-resistant, can be washed multiple times, and are easy to maintain. If you need additional information and consultation, we are available on working days.