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Safety FIRST!
The following safety regulations have
been provided by FIRST.
- Mandatory, non-shaded
safety glasses that meet ANSI Z87 standards
- Open-toed shoes are not
allowed at events
- Stored energy hazards -
electrical, mechanical, and pneumatic: Springs,
chains, and
gears; batteries; pneumatic cylinders and lines,
extended “arms,” bound joints, and lifted
weights. Release stored energy before you power
down; return it to its “home” position,
and power off the equipment.
- Hazards of the autonomous
mode
- Harmful dust/fumes and
protective masks or respirators
- Chemicals and exposure
- Electrical hazards
- Welding and brazing -
appropriate eye and hand protection
- Pinching and crushing
- Trips and falls prevention
- Protective equipment
- Loose clothing, long hair
or jewelry, and moving parts
- Proper lifting technique
Safety Equipment and Best
Practices
- Ear Plugs: To
prevent hearing loss, keep earplugs or noise
inhibiting ear protection on hand when you use or
are near loud equipment or machinery.
- Fire Extinguisher:
Be sure to have a fire extinguisher at your
workplace, and make sure everyone knows how to use
it and where it is stored.
- First Aid Kit:
Maintain a first aid kit that meets the ANSI
standard for the number of people in the team’s
workshop. Tell all team members where it is and make
sure someone, such as the Safety Captain, is in
charge of replacing items as necessary. Bring it to
your events.
- Safety Glasses:
Right from the get-go, buy ANSI Z87-approved safety
glasses for all team members. FIRST Robotics has
strict requirements for safety glasses/goggles use
in the Pit and on or within 5 feet of the playing
field. Approved glasses have “ANSI Z87” imprinted
somewhere on the frame. It’s best to get the team to
work responsibly right away -- at all times. Each
must consider safety glasses as required equipment
because they are a must at FIRST competitions.
Make sure each person:
- Labels the frame with name
and team number, and has a specific place to store
them. Do not
mark the lens.
- Wears them at all times
when working on the robot or when in the vicinity of
someone working
on the robot.
- Is especially careful when
near grinding or machining.
- Wears ANSI Z87 approved
safety eyewear, which requires side shields on the
glasses. Using
regular glasses with attached side shields does not
meet the standard because they offer
almost no impact resistance. Robot parts can be like
flying missiles.
- Wears safety goggles over
corrective eyeglasses if they are not marked ANSI
Z87.
Gloves: Most team injuries at and prior to events
are cuts and pinches. Gloves can be cumbersome at
times, but can obviously preserve fingers. Have some
on hand at your workplace and at events aspart of
your safety program. Teach the team why and when
they should use them.
- Robot Cart: Build a device
to transport your robot easily and safely from the
Pit to the competition field and back. It must be
small enough to fit through a 30” doorway and tall
enough to make robot removal and placement on the
field safe, easy, and comfortable.
Your cart can be really simple, or you can build it
to take on your team’s theme. Do not incorporate
music on board since additional music is not
permitted at FIRST events.
- Safe Lifting: Teach your
team proper lifting techniques. The robot operators
should be able to safely lift the robot off and onto
the rolling cart quickly on the playing field, and
should practice the routine.
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