Those ground straps from the chassis to the pavement question

[polywideblock]

It wasn't static on the ground, it was the build up of static caused by friction of the body going through the air   

[ACUDANUT]

They used to be common but not so much now, the ground straps that people put from the chassis and they drag on the pavement, for radio reception I believe, would these things not be a great conductor during a thunderstorm?

Do you stay up nights thinking about stuff like this?   

Yes he does unfortunately. 

[Ghoste]

No one was forced to read it. 

[Bob T]

Fairly regularly I've had to use cherry pickers or scissor lift platforms for work. Most of them don't have static discharge straps installed but I always make one and put it on if we are working inside a building that has a painted floor like a newspaper printing press hall.
The nylon composite wheels' charge builds up after a short time driving the machine and the first piece of earthed steelwork you touch against generates a loud crack and usually a blue spark when the charge dissipates between the operator cage and a roof truss or support beam. It hurts like hell if its you grabbing a light fitting or similar too and become the first bond point.
I used to get the apprentices to grab the chain but they wised up.