Smocks have SOME ESD value only when they are antistatic treated after 
     they are cleaned - every time they are cleaned.
     
     Even that's very debatable:
     
          1.  The cleaners - how they clean and what they use.
     
          2.  How they are handled/stored in the workplace.
     
          3.  How often they are used and cleaned.
     
          4.  What the worker is wearing underneath - (let's keep it        
              clean).
     
     And even at that point, the only thing that's guaranteed is a common 
     background ESD level of all workers in the workplace.  Instead of a 
     wideband (wide sampling) of static producing clothing worn by workers, 
     you have a narrowband (narrow sampling) of static producing clothing.


______________________________ Reply Separator _________________________________
Subject: ASSY: Smocks, are they necessary?
Author:  [log in to unmask] at internet-mail
Date:    3/22/96 3:49 PM


All,
     
We have a concern that I think is common to every electronic assembly 
operation.  Basically, the question is, "Is it necessary to have 
veryone/anyone in the assembly area wearing smocks to protect static 
sensitive devices?".  
     
As a contract manufacturer, we have only one (potential) customer 
requiring that we have all associaties wear smocks on the production 
floor.  Also, as a contract manufacturer, it is obviously a marketing 
advantage to have the more professional look that smocks provide, but 
we want to be sure we're dealing with good science as well as good 
marketing.
     
The new interactive video from IPC on ESD covers the use of smocks as 
something that may be used but is not required.  Also, some of our 
people have been in some very hi-test, Malcom Baldridge award winning 
electronic assembly plants lately where they do not use smocks.
     
Thank you in advance for your comments.
     
Leo Reynolds