[ChrisMcK2186]

I was the team safety captain at VCU and several people were less than thrilled about being told to wear glasses at all times in the pits and to tie up hair but I would much rather not be liked by all and have my entire team return home with all digits and peepers than to be best friend of a team of 4 fingered, eye-patch toting highschoolers.

Some ideas to hold to when being safety captain/nazi:

1)Glasses at all times. Not only FIRST regulations but also common sense. Check with the official safety personel wandering the pits to see what is legal. In VCU if you could see their eyes, it was legal.

2)Keep your area clean. A clean pit translates to a safe pit. You will bot be running around, tripping over power tools and blades looking for the right screw driver. Bring extra tables or convert your crate to a work space.

3) Keep aisles clear. I heard more cluttered aisle complaints by the safety inspectors than any other infraction but goggles. Clear aisles allow for your bot to not get damaged and allows for safe movement around pits.

4) Tape electrical cords to the floor to prevent trip hazards.

5) Wear gloves when handling the crate to avoid splinter, when grinding metal, sanding, or welding, gloves will give you that extra skin you will love.

6) Keep pit workers to a minimum. As much as the entire team wants to help, more people in the pit reduces elbow room, raising the risk of injury. This is the hardest to enforce, so work out a rotation schedule so everybody can touch the bot.

Being the friend of all team mates won't be easy but they will ultimatly be happier if they don't get hurt.

Chris