[BB] Is it week three already?

[kjohnson]

http://frcdirector.blogspot.com/2012...e-already.html

Good Afternoon Teams,

We are rapidly approaching the halfway point of build season. I hope all is going well for your team. Keep checking those Team Updates: http://frc-manual.usfirst.org/TeamUpdates/0 and don't forget to build in safety both for the team members who work on the robot and for anyone who will be lifting/transporting the robot. We provided 2 pairs of gloves in the Kit of Parts. Remember to wear gloves when lifting the robot in and out of your practice area to prevent cuts and be sure to use good lifting practices.

2nd Regional Event and FIRST Championship Registration payments are due this Friday, January 27th.

We have been working diligently and the "Save as PDF" function has been fixed on the Competition Manual page: http://www.usfirst.org/roboticsprogr...ated-documents

We have added the ability to download all of the Team Updates to the Game and Administrative Manual as a PDF. We are working on the ability to download individual Team Updates and will let you know when we’ve added that functionality.

Do you have an innovation inspired by your FRC season experience you think is worthy of recognition? Apply for the FIRST Future Innovator Award, presented by the Abbott Fund! We begin accepting applications this Friday, January 27th. Submissions must be received by Noon EST, March 16th to be considered. This award will be presented at the FIRST Championship in St. Louis. Check here for more information: http://www.usfirst.org/roboticsprogr...nnovator-award

Microsoft is very excited about supporting the FRC teams by providing direct technical support and assistance. If you have a Microsoft store nearby, call and ask for the Community Development Specialist. If you have questions specific to the Kinect, contact skills@microsoft.com

If you're traveling a long distance to your FRC events this year you're going to want to check out these discounts on flights and car rentals: http://www.usfirst.org/aboutus/travel-discounts

28 days until Stop Build Day
See you soon!

[MagiChau]

The text in the team updates PDF option appear to be colored the same as its background. Also, the FIRST travel discounts seems interesting. http://www.usfirst.org/aboutus/travel-discounts

[rsisk]

Originally Posted by MagiChau

The text in the team updates PDF option appear to be colored the same as its background. Also, the FIRST travel discounts seems interesting. http://www.usfirst.org/aboutus/travel-discounts

We bought our tickets to Championship from Delta because of those discounts.

[sanddrag]

If teams are really cutting themselves while lifting their robots, perhaps they should eliminate the sharp edges rather than just putting gloves on. Just the fact that gloves would even exist in the pit area poses more of a safety hazard than they prevent (in my opinion, but I literally have thick skin). There's a chance of someone leaving them on and getting in a chain or something.

[Tom Line]

I can't count the number of injuries I've seen caused by gloves getting sucked into rotating bits of machines (manufacturing plant). The assumption, I believe, is that nothing on your robot will be rotating while you are trying to pick it up. That should be a fair assumption.

[GaryVoshol]

We've had this discussion in past years. There were events at which the Safety Advisors insisted that gloves be worn, in situations where it would be more hazardous to wear gloves (such as near rapidly moving machinery). The manual only mentions gloves once, in 4.2.1 of the Admin manual:

FIRST also highly recommends that team members and mentors:
...
Wear gloves to protect hands and fingers when handling the robot or the robot crate;

Notice it's a recommendation, not a mandate.

[thefro526]

Originally Posted by sanddrag

If teams are really cutting themselves while lifting their robots, perhaps they should eliminate the sharp edges rather than just putting gloves on.

You're definitely onto something here.

We've been given a hard time by safety advisers because we didn't use Gloves when lifting our 2011 robot - even though we had nice smooth round handles (McMaster P/N 1568A21 IIRC) mounted far away from anything even remotely sharp. I just don't get it.

[Aren_Hill]

(sarcasm)

More fluffy padding, less problem solving/removal, good lesson here

(sarcasm)

[EricH]

Originally Posted by thefro526

We've been given a hard time by safety advisers because we didn't use Gloves when lifting our 2011 robot - even though we had nice smooth round handles (McMaster P/N 1568A21 IIRC) mounted far away from anything even remotely sharp. I just don't get it.

The same safety advisers who tell teams to yell "Robot!" at the top of their lungs?

Maybe some new safety advisers need to be found who know practical shop safety.

[BrendanB]

I can't stand using gloves because they are bulkier and have a higher chance of getting caught but my grip is also sacrificed by using gloves which you need when lifting large objects!

[Jim Giacchi]

Wow, this is perfect timing and I could not agree more with the comments posted, I instructed our Safety Captain just this afternoon to document why wearing gloves makes certain situations more dangerous so when we have this argument (which we have every year) at the competition we have a legitimate case against. Hopefully they will actually listen to us this year, they haven't yet... but there is always hope.

[akoscielski3]

I love using my gloves. My team is also always trying for the safety award and have a great relationship with the safety advisers. I don't get what the problem is with putting on gloves to move your robot. It take 5 seconds to put them on (i always have mine in my back pocket). You should teach your team these safety tips, such as dont use gloves around moving parts (minus drills), and wear gloves that fit you properly. They shouldn't be bulky if u got the right size. You should have the most appropriate type of gloves for what is needed. I got mechanical gloves for $30 at Mark's Work Warehouse. Always use them unless it is unsafe.

If your competition Safety advisers are saying these things, then prove them wrong. Show them the manual, or show them a book that says otherwise. Hey it may help you win the safety award

[DavisC]

Yes, when wearing gloves and lifting, it becomes more likely for the gloves to slip off than letting go.

So, would FIRST rather us use our hands to lift a beam meant for that purpose, or would they want the gloves coming off and a 135 lb. robot crush the carrier's toes?

(Guessing next they are going to start asking us to wear steel toed boots...)

[akoscielski3]

Originally Posted by DavisC

Yes, when wearing gloves and lifting, it becomes more likely for the gloves to slip off than letting go.

So, would FIRST rather us use our hands to lift a beam meant for that purpose, or would they want the gloves coming off and a 135 lb. robot crush the carrier's toes?

(Guessing next they are going to start asking us to wear steel toed boots...)

Like i said before. Get gloves that fit you. If the gloves are slipping off your hand they obviously dont fit. Get a good pair such as These

[sanddrag]

When I do need gloves for things (which is not often), goatskin leather is rather nice.