Questions about bench setup...

[DaveHardy]

Hey, I just started a new job this week and figured out that my bench was completely floating today; there is no ground return path.  Is this safe or customary in the industry?  What is the point of setting up a bench like this?

[nanofrog]

Where are you located?
Have you asked your employer about the specifics (perhaps there was a particular reason and the ground was disconnected)?

It's not as safe (easier to blow your equipment if it's floating and/or injure you), and from what I've seen/understand, not customary in the US at least (wouldn't expect it to be in other parts of the world either).

Assuming you're in the US, How old is the building?

I ask, as the NEC passed outlet grounding (ground the metal box) in October 1958. So if the building is old enough and hasn't been updated, ground won't be present in the receptacle at all. If it's 1959 or newer, there may have a loose ground connection in the structural wiring (assuming it wasn't intentionally disconnected).