Anti-Static Precautions and Safety Hazards
Probably the most common guard against ESD when working with computer components is an aanti static wrist strp. This is a conductive strap that has a wire attached. The wire is typically attached to the computer's casing or could be connected to a special plug inserted into an ordinary mains socket or to an anti static work mat.
An alternative to a wrist strap is an anti static heel strap which performs the same function but will be connected to a anti static floor mat.
Warning: an important safety issue when using an antistatic device is not to work on any equipment where there is a possibility of touching a live or high voltage component. The anti static device will form an excellent path for the electricity to flow to ground through your body, and that would be extremely dangerous.
It is also important that when touching components, such as processors and RAM that they are handled correctly, e.g. holding the RAM chip by the sides and avoiding touching the contacts.
Click here to review the wiki resource on anti static wrist straps.
