Shorts?

[Karibou]

Originally Posted by CENTURION

Honestly, if you're not in a machine shop where 300+ degree steel chips are flying around, I don't see any reason why shorts would be a safety issue.

If you're just standing, I'd say that's fine. But there are all sorts of metal chips and other things on the floor of the pits, and I'd hate to kneel on a metal chip if I'm in a hurry.

I know a lot of people are comfortable wearing shorts around robots, but I'm personally not and try to wear jeans when I can (exceptions being IRI and MARC, because I sweat in those gyms just from standing still).

[CENTURION]

Originally Posted by Karibou

If you're just standing, I'd say that's fine. But there are all sorts of metal chips and other things on the floor of the pits, and I'd hate to kneel on a metal chip if I'm in a hurry.

Fair point.

[Jay O'Donnell]

I've always worn shorts to FIRST competitions (even the cold ones because I'm stubborn) and I've never had a problem. I can understand thinking it might be safer with pants, but it does get pretty hot in the pits, and overheating is just as much as a problem.

[Camren]

If they are going to enforce long pants then they must enforce sleeves. In the pits it always seems like forearm injuries are more common.

[Koko Ed]

Originally Posted by Camren

If they are going to enforce long pants then they must enforce sleeves. In the pits it always seems like forearm injuries are more common.

They'd rather enforce glasses and shoes more than what pants you are wearing.

[Jimmy Nichols]

Our team policy has always been long pants for those working in the pits, drive and pit crews. Those cheering, scouting, or occasionally in the pits are welcome to wear shorts.

I don't like long sleeve rules because of the danger of getting caught up in a machine or power tool.

[blayde5]

I haven't seen anyone faulted for wearing shorts at a competition. I would just make sure that they went below your knees so that when you do kneel down, they are protected from whatever's on the ground

[ice.berg]

Me being from Minnesota anything warmer than 40 F is shorts weather! So I wear shorts all the time at events. I have never been asked to change into pants by any of the event staff at regionals or at worlds so I assume it is fine. But of course have to follow the team dress code... ZUBAZ!!

[Joe Ross]

Here's what 358's drive team wears:
http://www.team358.org/history/2010/...i/IMG_7517.jpg
http://www.team358.org/history/2012/...i/P1010884.jpg

[protoserge]

We enforce pants as part of our team uniform. I had no problem with temperature at the arena or pits the last 2 years and don't expect it to be any different this year.

In general, anyone actively working on the robot should wear pants because it's the smart thing to do.

[treffk]

My personal opinion is I do not like shorts in the pit area. This is just a personal preference that I try to enforce on our team. It's a safety think in my mind for the reasons that others have mentioned.

On a side note I also don't like morph suits either. I've actually tried to get students to take the hoods off if they are in the pits.

Although I do agree that I would rather enforce shoes, glasses, hair and extremely low hanging jewelry around the robot than nitpick about shorts.

When I was a student on the team I was 1 of the 2 (only 2 our team has every had in the 8 years of existence) cheerleaders on the team. I got permission to wear my uniform around the arena for the events. On that same line if I was wearing my skirt I always had pants underneath while in the pits.

[Karibou]

Originally Posted by treffk

On a side note I also don't like morph suits either. I've actually tried to get students to take the hoods off if they are in the pits.

I 100% agree with morph suits being unsafe. Having worn a few of them, I can attest that the visibility varies from suit to suit, but it's still impairs your vision. Not to mention that there's no way for someone looking at you to know where your focus is - they don't know if you're deep in thought, or waiting a few more seconds to move out of the way of the robot headed your way.

[brndn]

Originally Posted by Joe Ross

Here's what 358's drive team wears:
http://www.team358.org/history/2010/...i/IMG_7517.jpg
http://www.team358.org/history/2012/...i/P1010884.jpg

It has escalated quite a bit...



edit: Last year I was asked to change on the grounds that the shorts were unsafe.

[Justin Montois]

I haven't worn pants to a robotics competition in about 4 years. No one has said a word.

This is how we roll

[CENTURION]

Originally Posted by Camren

If they are going to enforce long pants then they must enforce sleeves. In the pits it always seems like forearm injuries are more common.

Long sleeves are a big no-no when working with machinery. If your arm brushes up against a moving chain (which it shouldn't because your hands should not be in the robot while it is on), the chain might scratch you a bit. But a sleeve can get caught in the chain, and pull your arm (and the rest of you) in.

That sounds bad enough, but think about doing that on an engine lathe