A buildup of static electricity can be a considerable hazard -- it can discharge in air and ignite flammable vapors and dust. NFPA 77, Recommended Practice on Static Electricity provides important information on evaluating and controlling static electric hazards to help protect those working where these hazards can be present.

NFPA 77 offers guidance on how to:

• Eliminate static electric charges by bonding and grounding.
• Manage static electricity where ignitable dusts or vapors are present.
• Manage the flow rates and flow velocities of liquids when they are transferred.

This recommended practice covers industries as diverse as chemical processing, petroleum refining, printing, and calendaring. It includes answers to questions about properly bonding and grounding a container, and how to determine whether a static electricity hazard poses a risk.

The 2019 edition of NFPA 77 is up-to-date with referenced documents and the latest safety knowledge including:

• Updates to reference documents, Chapter 2, and Annex I reflect current editions.
• Changes to the definitions for combustible dust and grounding reflect the use of the terms specific to NFPA 77.
• Changes to the characterization of low, medium, and high resistivity powders in Chapter 15 reflect generally accepted international standards.

Grounding and bonding with NFPA 77 as a guide is essential to safety in many industrial environments.