Ah ok, I didn't know that about the static bands. I still don't feel that much "un-safer" in bare feet than shoes as I wouldn't grab a live AC line whether I had shoes on or not. Is there that much of a difference in the chances of being electrocuted by 120VAC if you are wearing shoes vs not? Just asking because even though OSHA has nothing to do with what I do at my house I'd rather be safe than sorry.
Shoes with rubber soles make a HUGE difference. The rubber is an insulator, and will severely limit how much current can flow (through your feet to the floor). Many people, over many years, have been electrocuted in situations just like you've described. And it's even more dangerous if you add a little moisture to the situation (wet floor, sweat).
Also, you don't necessarily have to 'grab an AC line' to get shocked. I've worked as an electronics technician for 18+ years, and I've repaired equipment which had faulty grounding. In those situations, the equipment's ground connection had become severed/disconnected (in the power cord, to the large, 3rd prong of the plug - that's the ground wire). This results in AC voltage from the equipment's power supply being present on the equipment chassis/frame. If you touch that 'live' chassis with one hand, and come into contact with anything else that's grounded (other equipment, metal workbench, the concrete floor, etc.), you've created a current path through your body. It's very dangerous. It's easy to eliminate the floor as a grounding hazard, by wearing rubber-soled shoes and making sure the floor is DRY.
The thing to remember about electricity is, it only takes about 1/10 of an ampere of current flow to stop/interrupt your heartbeat. The one 'good' thing about static electricity is (aside from lightning), even though the VOLTAGE is very high, the actual current flow in that situation is VERY small, for a VERY BRIEF instant in time (maybe only a few thousandths of a second, if that). That's why a typical static shock is uncomfortable, but generally not a big hazard to your body. An AC shock, however, especially at 120VAC, will generate enough current flow, for a much longer time period (perhaps as long as you remain in contact with it, if a breaker doesn't trip and shut it off). This is why you absolutely must make sure that you're equipment is properly grounded, and that YOU aren't directly grounded while touching the equipment.
Stay safe. If you have doubts about whether your equipment & shop is electrically safe, talk to an electrician to be sure.
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