FIRST® Robotics Competition (FRC®)

Attitude, Knowledge, Understanding, Preparation, Prevention, Behavior, Inspection, Response, Review

Develop a good safety attitude based on:
Good behavior
Good judgement
Following safety rules
NOT taking short cuts

FIRST Safety Manual

Order of Prevention & Protection

• Eliminate safety hazards: cluttered work areas, out-of-date, pre-safety standard, broken, ill-repaired, jury-rigged, otherwise unsafe tools & equipment.
• Substitute change things that aren't currently safe: improve lighting around equipment, replace worn bits/blades/cutters/sanding belts/grinding wheels. Replace worn out equipment with newer, safer models. Inspect and repair/replace worn extension & tool electrical cords.
• Engineer Controls maintain equipment keeping it in good repair. Devise better workshop layouts, raw material storage organization, purchase new tools.+
• Administrative Controls devise new safety procedures, install warning signs, operating instructions, develop a maintenance schedule, train people, track training
• Personal Protective Equipment - safety glasses, ear plugs, hard hat, work clothing, foot gear, gloves, welding shields

Hazards

• Noise
• Cleanliness
• Airbourne debris (dust, chips, and larger pieces flung by a machine)
• Chemical
• Burns
• Electrical
• Machinery
• Tools
• Gravity/Mass
• Loose clothing, cords (when not to use gloves)
• Jewelry/Hair
• Behavior (running, throwing, horseplay)

What's wrong with this picture?

Equipment

• goggles/glasses/side shields/face shields
• gloves (for specific purposes only- non-latex, machinists)
• ear protection
• respirators
• hard hats sometimes
• protective work clothing
• closed toed shoes
• Battery spill kit (baking soda, disposable gloves, plastic container, eye wash)
• First-aid kit/emergency numbers
• fire extinguisher

Shop Safety

• Be trained in the proper use of machinery
• shop/safety manuals for all tools
• Know how to turn it off
• are tools being maintained and kept in good repair? Using sharp tools is actually safer than using dull tools.
• Guards engaged
• proper clamping, guides, shields
• safe, protected storage of sharp tools
• proper lighting to see the work and use tools
• Welding eye shields, leather long sleave apron & gloves and curtains to guard the casual eyes of passersby.
• Battery setup, handling, charging, transportation
• Be aware of site restrictions, e.g., no students in robotics room without advisor supervision
• Ensure enough space around machinery to safety move and work

Robot

• Mechanical (gear pinching, sharp edges, chains)
• Electrical (exposed contacts
• Pneumatic (release pressure before working on the system)
• Potential/Kinetic energy (springs, elastic, gas shocks, raised arms/elevators, spinning flywheels/shooters, install guards where possible & reasonable)
• Label main breaker and pneumatic dump valve locations
• Safe transport of the robot (lifting, secure cart support, cautious movement through crowds)
• Repeatedly warn people whenever the robot goes live or enabled

Safety Captain Responsibilities

• at home
  • promote safety and safe practices
  • safety information and tips
  • research new practices
  • proper shop training/track who has been trained
  • safety labeling
  • travel/stay
• at event
  
  
  
  Safety Checklist
  
  • Be aware of site restrictions, e.g., no floor-standing power tools, no flames, no grinding (sparks, unattended hot soldering irons, 10' height limit)
  • Be aware of site specific emergency procedures
  • Safety Checklist
  • Remind members to bring and be responsible for their own safety glasses
  • Insure spare safety glasses are available for parents/visitors
  • Safety Captain meeting: Reminder Sheet
  • Interact with Safety Advisors/inspectors. They rate teams on safe behaviors, safe physical conditions, use of proper safety equipment
  • Continuing Pit working conditions (overcrowding, loose trash, safe battery handling, no daisy-chained power strips)
  • Pit trash bag
  • Pit Battery setup, handling, charging, transportation, plan to handle & dispose of damaged batteries
  • Remember that people have the right-of-way, not robots
  • Inspect and correct Pit conditions at the end of each day (neat, clean, orderly)
    Inspections after teams leave include:
    • The floor in and around your Pit Station
    • Proper tool storage
    • Proper care of batteries and battery chargers
    • Tidy storage of personal belongings and equipment
  • EMTs on-site
  • notify Pit Admin of incidents
  • learn what harzardous materials we use
  • Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) and how to read/use them (battery, chemicals, special materials,e.g., composites/fiberglass, or other hazardous material)
    MK Battery MSDS
    Before using any chemical, read the container label and the appropriate Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDSs.) They provide the following information:
    1. Hazardous ingredients
    2. Exposure limits
    3. Physical and chemical characteristics, including the boiling point, vapor pressure, color and odor
    4. Physical hazards, including the flammability, explosiveness, and reactivity
    5. Health hazards, including toxicity and carcinogenicity
    6. First-aid procedures
    7. Proper leak, spill, and disposal techniques
    8. Proper storage and handling procedures
    9. Other special provisions
  • Nominate/highlight other teams for safe practices/ideas

UL Safety Award

For going above and beyond in developing safe practices and procedures, outreach safety education

References

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