Why does everyone at my work get static electric shocks from a door handle?

Question

The taps in the kitchen, the door handle leaving the office and metal dividers between desks all give off static shocks. It's a high rise tower in Sydney CBD if that could have anything to do with it.

Some days they're not there. Today in different shoes I haven't been getting shocks for instance.

Why do we get the shocks?

How can we stop them?

Answer 1

I actually worked at a company once that made explosives, so static electricity was a potential hazard. To prevent it from becoming a problem, we wore cotton clothing, wore conductive shoes, had a grounded conductive floor, with additional groundings like wrist straps, and shut down operations during any thunderstorms. They also mopped the floor with water when the air was very dry.

Now that is all a bit much for a typical office job. If I were you I would try to wear more cotton clothing (any other fabric builds up static) and whatever shoes don't cause much friction with the ground. If it's really making everyone miserable, you could replace carpets with hard floors or even set up some sort of humidity controlling system.

Answer 2

The reason you see a difference from some days to others is the humidity. Very hot or very cold tends to be less humid so build up is worse.

I would guess the biggest cause is a carpet. Man made materials are bad. Your clothing and shoes can make things worse. The static is on you so anything earthed gives you a shock.

You can buy static guard but a carpet would be a large area to spray. I would say you need to get rid of it and go for laminate. A humidifier may help but not in large spaces.

Touching the ear of a coworker is a more fun way to discharge yourself but of course doesn't stop the shock.

Answer 3

Walking on certain carpets can cause you to build up static electricity.  Then when you touch something metal, you get shocked.  To stop it, try different shoes, change the carpet, or increase the humidity in the air.

Answer 4

Static electricity is the problem and the most likely culprit is the fiber used in the carpeting, particularly if the problem is with many people. Anti-static carpeting can be bought, or I believe that moderately effective treatments to reduce the static electric buildup can be applied to the carpeting (assuming the building owner does not fancy the idea of installing new carpeting).

Alternatively, everyone can drag around a chain that is electrically bonded to their bodies. It's just a thought.