Audit in a fixed order, or you will miss things.
Start with grounding, not products
Trace the common point ground to the earth bond and confirm each connection is tight and corrosion-free. A workstation with beautiful mats on a broken ground chain is the most common audit failure.
Measure surface-to-ground resistance on mats and worktops at the spots operators actually use, not just the corner that looks clean.
Then people, paper and plastic
Check wrist strap wear and daily test records, then walk the desk: ordinary plastic folders, foam cups and clear tape are the usual hidden charge generators.
Finish with documentation - the EPA plan, test logs and corrective actions. An audit without a written finding list repeats itself in three months.
FAQ
What is the first thing to check in an ESD audit?
The grounding chain from common point ground to earth; everything else depends on it.
Which everyday items break an EPA most often?
Uncontrolled plastics: file folders, cups, packaging foam and tape brought in from outside the EPA.
How long should a workstation audit take?
A single station in under an hour is realistic with a checklist and a tester at hand.
All figures above refer to standard product data sheets; final confirmation is subject to written quotation.