El Malo,
The 'static' strap draggin on the ground is a terrible
idea. In most cases, it generates more static than it will
ever 'cure'. It's also dangerous, just like the fork lift.
The DOT prohibits static straps on commercial vehicles that
carry flamable/explosive materials (fuel trucks) because they
act as part of a "VanDegraff"(sp) generator. I'm sure a nice
fat spark is exactly what you want to see when connecting a
fuel line to a tank. (Also why fuel hoses at gas pumps are
grounded through the nozzle. And why fuel trucks at an air-
port always connect a ground line to the plane before fueling.)
'Doc