[Steve W]

OK, since we are so concerned about safety why are we not making sure that all chains are covered and gears covered so that the "pinch points" (flavor of the day a few years ago) are protected. Any gears and sprockets should be covered and protected. Gear boxes should be covered so small fingers don't get caught. I have no issues with safety but I do with unwarranted overkill which some inspectors show. I am an inspector and LRI and if I feel something is unsafe I will make sure that the team fixes the issue but I will not go to an extreme and make all teams put something in place.

History - The team I was with a few years ago had many sprockets joined by lots of chain. They were small sprockets and short pieces of chain. Everything was set back 2-3 inches from the face of the robot yet we were told that we had to "protect the area" because of "pinch points". Everyone has a different view of what is safe. If FIRST dictated that all robots must have a safety device attached to their robot I would be OK with that but they haven't.