# ESD Control Program Audit Checklist (ANSI/ESD S20.20) > Source: https://netray.co/tools/esd-control-program-audit-checklist-ansi-esd-s20-20 > Publisher: Netray (netray.co), AI and integration engineering for ERP and manufacturing systems. > Section: Free Tools ## Short answer An internal audit checklist organized around the ESD control program plan, training, grounding, protected areas, packaging and verification described in ANSI/ESD S20.20. ## Category ehs-workforce ## Industry Defense Electronics ## Audience - ESD coordinator - Quality engineer - Production supervisor ## Tool **Kind:** checklist **Scoring Note:** Score equals the share of items answered Yes. Critical items marked No should be corrected before ESD-sensitive product is handled in that area. **Groups:** #### Program plan and administration **Items:** **Text:** A written ESD control program plan exists and is current **Critical:** true **Text:** An ESD coordinator is named with defined responsibilities **Critical:** true The most sensitive device level handled (HBM and CDM) is identified The plan references the standard revision the site works to Internal audits are scheduled and records are kept Corrective actions from audits are tracked to closure Any tailoring of requirements is documented and justified #### Training **Items:** **Text:** All staff in protected areas have initial ESD training before entry **Critical:** true Refresher training is performed at the defined interval Training records are kept and accessible Visitors and maintenance staff are briefed or escorted Contractors and cleaning crews follow the same rules #### Grounding and personnel **Items:** **Text:** Wrist straps are tested at the defined frequency and results logged **Critical:** true Continuous monitors, where used, are functioning and alarms are acted on Footwear and flooring systems are tested together where used for grounding Operators wear ESD garments where the plan requires them Common point ground connections are secure and labeled Ground cords and wrist strap cords are inspected for damage Work surface ground connections are verified #### Protected area and equipment **Items:** ESD protected areas are marked and have a boundary signage **Text:** Work surfaces meet the resistance limits in the plan and are tested periodically **Critical:** true **Text:** Insulators such as plastic cups and tape are removed or controlled in the area **Critical:** true Ionizers are present where insulators cannot be removed and are verified Soldering irons and tools are grounded Test equipment and fixtures are verified for ESD safety Chairs, carts and shelving in the area are rated and grounded as needed Measurement equipment is calibrated and records are kept #### Packaging and transport **Items:** **Text:** ESD sensitive items are packaged in approved materials outside the protected area **Critical:** true Packages carry ESD caution labels Moisture barrier bags used for MSDs are ESD compliant Material handling carts are tested and kept in specification Incoming receiving procedures check packaging integrity Returned and rejected product is packaged under the same controls ## Content **Intro:** ANSI/ESD S20.20 is the standard for developing an ESD control program for protecting electrical and electronic parts and assemblies from electrostatic discharge. This checklist helps an ESD coordinator audit the program in a structured way. **Sections:** #### How to use this checklist **Body:** Run it per production area, not once for the plant. Walk each protected area with the program plan open, observe behavior and test equipment, and answer Yes or No. Mark failures with the area name in your notes and export the result to PDF for the audit file. Re-run after any layout or equipment change. #### What S20.20 expects **Body:** The standard asks the organization to document a program plan, train people, and implement controls proportional to the sensitivity of the devices handled. The plan covers grounding of people and conductors, handling of insulators, packaging and marking. The standard also expects periodic verification, such as wrist strap checks and surface resistance tests, with records. Certification to S20.20 is a third-party process, and this checklist is for internal readiness. **Bullets:** - Grounding people and conductive items is the first line of control - Insulators cannot be grounded, so remove them or use ionization - Compliance verification needs calibrated instruments #### Reading the result **Body:** Treat any critical No as a stop-and-fix. A missing program plan or untested wrist straps undermine every other control. Many plants find a pattern: the physical controls are fine but verification records and training refreshers lag. Fix the record-keeping first, since customers and auditors judge the program through its records. #### Common mistakes **Body:** Common failures include plastic cups and paperwork on benches, worn ground cords, wrist strap testers that are not calibrated, and carts that are never tested. Another is treating packaging as an afterthought once product leaves the protected area, when most field damage happens in transit and storage. **Cta:** Netray can connect your calibration and training records in the ERP to an audit view so expired wrist strap checks and lapsed training are flagged early. **Faq:** #### Is this checklist enough for S20.20 certification? **Answer:** No. It supports internal audits and readiness. Certification is granted by an accredited third party against the full standard, which you must purchase. Use this to find gaps before that audit. #### How often should wrist straps be tested? **Answer:** Your program plan sets the frequency based on risk. Daily testing at the station is common in electronics assembly, and continuous monitors are used where product is very sensitive. Follow the interval written in your plan and keep logs. #### What does HBM and CDM mean? **Answer:** HBM is the human body model and CDM is the charged device model. They are test models that describe how sensitive a device is to electrostatic discharge, and they help you choose the controls the program needs. #### Do defense customers require S20.20? **Answer:** Many require an ESD program to S20.20 or an equivalent in their quality clauses. The exact requirement is in your contract flow-downs, so check it and keep evidence available for customer audits. ## Search terms esd audit checklist, ansi esd s20.20 checklist, esd control program checklist, esd epa audit form, esd program plan template, esd coordinator checklist, esd wrist strap test log, s20.20 internal audit --- Talk to an engineer: https://netray.co/contact?intent=erp_ai | Machine catalog: https://netray.co/agent/catalog.json