For (very) many years I have handled chips of all types. The only ones that I strapped myself down for was the CMOS-A types. If you breathed too fast they would blow. Extreme measures were required for these. The current chips are more robust and just careful handling will prevent you from zapping them.

Grounding does not mean to "grab a water pipe" or "stick your finger in the dirt outside". Wrong ground. "Ground potential" in electronics refers to a 'neutral' reference point from which all else is measured. For (almost) all electronics, it is the chassis or box. It may not or may not be at "earth ground" potential especially if the power cord has only two prongs. (Just talk to those who got shocked by sound equipment or tools outside.)

So what to do? Keep yourself at 'ground potential'. Stay in touch with the unit chassis. That is exactly what a wrist strap is for. You can make one with just a wire or buy one at most any electronics store..

Without one you should stay in touch with the chassis, frame, box, ... with one finger, hand or arm while working. It takes practice to do it right.



So to install a new part:

Prepare the part:

Open the new part bag

Slide the part out of the bag and place it on the bag keeping contact with both

Let go of the bag last

Open and prepare the unit

When ready to insert the part:

Contact the bag with one hand

Take the part with the other hand

Let go of the bag last

Touch the chassis with the 'bag hand' and maintain contact

Insert part

Let go of the chassis last

To remove a part do the same, in reverse.

The rule is to touch first, during and last the packaging or chassis while handling any part.
Thanks