Static electicity (or static charge) can damage some electronic components. Hoever anti-static precaustions are quite simple - just earth youself to something like a radiator every so often - better not to wear nylon clothing, and don't work on a soly sysnthetic carpet in a very dry atmosphere - and don't shuffle your feet!

However, earthing yourself and making sure you don't touch the exposed side of the cct board - or the pins - on the hard drive (althoughthe chances of damaging it if you do are small as all the components are connected - by why risk it?) will be sufficient.

And when you connect it up - either position it so the cct board is face up, or place it on a piece of cardboard (NOT plastic and NOT an anti-static bag)