G'morning Lou, Coats act as a barrier. An open coat is like having a fence that's always wide open. It blocks some of the stuff you don't want but most material can easily go around. People rarely wear static dissipative garments under their coats { :-) }, static and loose cloth fibres may be a definite problem for your product. You are doing the right thing to protect the equipment. But you will need a bit more luck dealing with the employees. Hope this helps, Alain Savard, B.Sc. Chemical Process Analyst CAE Electronics Ltd. e-mail: [log in to unmask] -----Original Message----- From: Lou Hart [mailto:[log in to unmask]] Subject: [TN] Wearing of static-dissipative coats TechNetters, in our PC assembly plant, we have people wearing static dissipative coats, long ones down to the knees. Some do not snap them closed in front, and just let the coats hang or float. I've told the people in my department to snap the coats closed, at least 2 of the 5 or 6 snaps. Am I doing the right thing? What's been your experience? Thanks...Lou Hart Also, the floors are coated with static dissipative wax or, in some places, are static dissipative tile. And the people are good about wearing wrist and heel straps. ############################################################## TechNet Mail List provided as a free service by IPC using LISTSERV 1.8c ############################################################## To subscribe/unsubscribe, send a message to [log in to unmask] with following text in the body: To subscribe: SUBSCRIBE TECHNET <your full name> To unsubscribe: SIGNOFF TECHNET ############################################################## Please visit IPC web site (http://www.ipc.org/html/forum.htm) for additional information. If you need assistance - contact Keach Sasamori at [log in to unmask] or 847-509-9700 ext.5315 ##############################################################