Personal protective equipment such as antistatic gloves help to maintain the condition of a clean room. These are rooms designed for the manufacture of electronic products, whose particularities make them sensitive to environmental conditions. A discharge of static electricity or the presence of too many floating particles can ruin production, so PPE must be effective so that the process in which it intervenes does not fail.

Why should clean room conditions be monitored?

There are several reasons for the need to maintain specific conditions in clean rooms. The main one refers to the protection of the product and its components. This is because the manufacture of electronic devices is very sensitive to particulate contamination. The same applies to bacteria or chemicals, especially the more aggressive ones. In fact, their presence is sufficient to affect the physical properties of the devices.

In addition, it is essential to minimize waste, as a small misadjustment could render several components unusable. It is also possible that the final product is defective or has to be discarded because it is contaminated. All this not only generates waste, but also entails a cost that no company is willing to assume.

Finally, a controlled environment helps protect workers from various occupational hazards. In this case, it is easier for your health not to be harmed by a hazardous chemical or by coming into contact with potentially harmful particles.

What guarantees the effectiveness of PPE?

The main guarantee lies in the ESD-certified design of the gloves. For example, Nitrilite™ 93-311 are manufactured to be compatible with class 100 (ISO 5) cleanrooms. That is, they are suitable for use in spaces where up to 29 particles of 5 micrometers or less are allowed in the same volume. Therefore, they will not contribute to the introduction of any debris by detachment.

Another point to take into account is the materials with which the PPE is produced, since their quality and manufacturing process must be high so that the emission of particles is low. It must also possess antistatic properties or prevent the attraction of contaminants. Because it is made of nitrile, MICROFLEX® model CE5-755 adapts easily to clean rooms. It has low levels of ionic content, which prevents electrical discharges.

However, the greatest guarantee of effectiveness of any electrostatic protection equipment is whether or not it is approved. In this regard, it has to comply with the requirements of the main standards and regulations. Without them, there would be no reliable demonstration that the equipment meets the requirements.

The effectiveness of antistatic gloves or any other PPE for a clean room depends on several factors. At Ansell we take them into account when manufacturing our products. From materials to regulatory compliance, we are committed to the highest quality standards.