Damage
caused by invisible and undetectable events can be understood by comparing ESD damage
to medical contamination of the human body by viruses or bacteria. Although viruses
and bacteria are invisible, they can cause severe damage even before you can detect
their presence. A defense against this invisible threat is sterilization.
As
an employee, the hidden threat of electrostatic discharge or ESD should be of great
concern to you. ESD damage can significantly reduce your company's profitability.
This may affect your profit sharing, your company's ability to compete in the market
place and even your employment. Everyone likes to take pride in their work, but
without proper ESD controls, your best efforts may be destroyed by static electricity
that you can neither feel nor see.