Safety in the workshop

[mcarobotics]

I'm safety captain for our rookie team and I was wondering what safety measures work well to use in the workshop. Also, what type of safety glasses are best to use in the pits and in the shop?
Thanks!

[CLandrum3081]

There's a lot in the FIRST safety manual , but here are some basics our team has agreed to follow:
-Always wear safety glasses in the shop.
-Use tools properly (no using a wrench as a hammer, etc) and remind others to do so if they aren't. It isn't about being mean, it's about being safe and not getting hurt.

As for safety glasses, I can get back to you about what our team uses on the 2nd, the next time 3081 has the shop and I can see what kind they are.

On our team, everyone gets their own pair and anyone who loses theirs has to pay $5. We personalize our own safety glasses (but not so they obstruct vision). For example, I have my last name and our team number on the sides and a piece of yellow Velcro on the bridge in the front. I'm not the only one to use Velcro on my safety glasses, and many team members used stickers and markers.

Also, our safety captain conducted a presentation with a safety test with some basic rules. He's not on CD, so I'll see if I can get a copy from him and PM you with the Google Drive link. We also have to have documentation of each team member seeing the presentation before he or she can be in the shop.

I'd be happy to see if I can get you in contact with our safety captain if you'd like. If you have any other questions, let me know.

[Koko Ed]

We use pre season for MANDATORY safety training for ALL team member (whether they work on the robot or not). The lead of our shop team has been in FIRST since 1993 and is recently retired from Xerox after working in the shops there for over 35 years. We trust his judgement and what he says goes in the shop.

[pmangels17]

As pit safety captain, there are a few things you need to be aware of. Anybody using machinery, or anything else that spins with some power, such as a motor or gearbox, should have their hair tied back (for ladies and longer haired men). More commonly, sweatshirts drawstrings for hoods should be removed or tucked in, and sleeves rolled up. Goggles for everyone in the workspace pretty much all the time. Our team has a computer lab with a center area that we use as a dinner table, where we don't wear goggles, since we are separated from the machinery and workshop by a wall. Also, a good first aid kit is nice, and a bowl or cup of cold water placed far away from any electronics or machinery is nice to cool any hot pieces of metal, after things like cutting or sanding.

As far as glasses, the team supplies everybody with one pair, which comes free with our shirt orders, but mos of us buy different glasses that are more comfortable. Don't buy tinted glasses. At three or four FRC regionals that I have attended have asked teams not to wear these, for safety purposes, and you shouldn't either. My favorite pair is actually a free pair from the AndyMark booth at FIRST Championships last year.

As a general rule, no fooling around in the shop, pretty straightforward. Also a few weird things we have discussed:
No headphones while working, you need to hear everyone, and tthe machine you are using
Closed toed shoes, sandals are bad (pretty straightforward)
Keep the stereo on low volume, we just installed a new speaker system, but people need to be able to hear everything.
Also, don't leave hot things plugged in (soldering tools, glue guns, heat guns, etc)
And finally, check you batteries everyday, and don't leave them plugged in (we once found a damaged robot battery that swelled to double normal size, but luckily, we caught it early. Regularly inspect them for damage or bulging.

Sorry for the lengthy post, I'm sure you already knew most of this, since it is fairly straightforward. Good luck to you and your team in all of your future FIRST endeavors.

[CLandrum3081]

Originally Posted by Koko Ed

We use pre season for MANDATORY safety training for ALL team member (whether they work on the robot or not). The lead of our shop team has been in FIRST since 1993 and is recently retired from Xerox after working in the shops there for over 35 years. We trust his judgement and what he says goes in the shop.

Heh. I didn't think of that. Our training was for everyone but our team is small enough where everyone is in the shop at one point or another so that was what I thought of. Whoops.

[nathan_hui]

We have a safety officer present in the shop at all times, it's not necessarily the same person, but it's someone the mentors trust to be safe. For us, any safety violation has draconian consequences, only because if the safety violation goes unchecked, people get hurt, and teams have disappeared for that.

Our team uses a shared set of safety glasses, but our members are allowed to bring and use their own personal ones. Some of our team have personalized a couple glasses for themselves, but it's only with a nametag on the bridge. The model we use is the Jackson Nemesis safety glasses (a donation from LMC). Problem is, they're quite expensive on their own.

Members are started on hand tools in their first year, and all work is supervised by a veteran member. We're at the point where in order to be considered veteran, one needs to pass a series of written and practical skills/safety tests, which are pass/fail. Members only start on machines under the close eye of a mentor, and only members personally cleared by our two head mentors are permitted to use the basic machines. Advanced machines (mill, lathe) are off-limits to all those who are personally cleared by our machinist mentor or head mentor, and under close supervision until otherwise noted.

One thing I do point out with our team is that the kind of punishments associated with safety violations are severe. While we can't kick people off the team, safety violations on the exams are automatic fails, and in general operations are a chain of public humiliations. It does the job - everyone catches everyone. As a wise man once said, "Safety is the job of everyone". Some of our mentors have at times threatened to shut down portions of the shop in response to safety violations.

[AlexH]

http://www.uline.com/BL_8957/Ice-Wraparounds

i like these safety glasses. i've been using them for the past few years. they are less intrusive than other ones.

[feverittm]

One thing to add to the already great comments.

You will probably need multiple types of glasses to make sure they can fit properly. Look for ones that fit over glasses, or fit small faces of younger team members.

Also have a bunch of spares for visitors/guests to you shop.

Enjoy!

[jwallace15]

Here are FIRST's general safety guidelines:

•Follow safe work practices, safe use of all tools, and maintain a healthy attitude regarding safety.
• Always walk and work in a controlled and thoughtful manner.
• Wear ANSI-approved, UL Listed, or CSA rated non-shaded safety glasses. Lightly tinted Rose, Blue, Amber tints are FIRST approved, but reflective lenses are not (eyes must be clearly visible to others).
• Wear closed-toe and closed heel shoes, gloves where needed, and use hearing protection if necessary.
• Keep full control of robot at all times with no one in the robot's path at any time.
• Assist other teams with safety issues. Display Gracious Professionalism and care enough to act with good, safe behavior at all times.
• Take special care when working above normal height.
• Always fully open a ladder and never stand on a non-approved step.

I think that if you enforce these rules on your team, you will be good! Good luck to you!

[cgmv123]

Our rules:

• Safety glasses at all times
• Everyone has to go through practical training on all tools to use them
• Everyone must pass written safety tests on all tools, electrical items and general safety with 100% accuracy

[Eagleeyedan]

Well, being safety captain on C.O.R.E. 2062, I hope I can offer some advice and I see lots of good stuff above so I'll try not to re-iterate too much.

We start out safety training season in/around Nov. To start, our team has a mentor tool training day where our mentors show everyone on the team how to use our tools. Then, we have a test that they must pass with %100 to use the tools. All our members, even veterans must take this test. This year I modeled our training off what one of our previous members is doing in school so for veteran members, I offered an in-person test where I enacted cutting a part using various tools unsafely and they had to point out what I did wrong (The tools were all unplugged). Once they pass this test, they may use the tools as long as a mentor is nearby.

Here's where we go further than most teams. During build season, I give demonstrations at the beginning of each meeting on procedures such as Lock-Out-Tag-Out, MSDS, First Aid, Proper Lifting, Battery Safety, PPE, competition safety, Mind's Eye (I'll get to that in a minute) and a few more. Since it is build season and everyone is eager to build, I try to keep these demonstrations down to about 5 minutes.

About two weeks before our first competition, we have a second test. This test is tool review, competition safety, as well as the new topics they've learned about through my demonstrations. This they must pass with no more than 5 questions wrong for us to allow them in the pits and %100 for them to be in our pit crew. This ensures that not only are they being safe in the tool shop but also keeping it fresh in their mind for pit.

All right, I said I'd get to Mind's Eye in a minute and now I am. Mind's Eye is something we learned about a few years ago from a local factory. They require all their employees to fill out a bookmark-sized paper before they start every job. On the paper, they must list the proper and improper PPE for the job, what could go wrong (Within reason. Dinosaur invasions are not legal answers ) and how it can be prevented. This keeps safety in their mind before they use each tool and is a check for PPE. We implement this safety strategy by asking our members to use their "Mind's eye" before each job to do the same thing and just take 30 seconds to think about what they are about to do. It's easy toward the end of build season to forget how far your hand has to be from the blade especially when you are in "crunch time" when mistakes happen easiest so we give a reminder about it at the beginning of each meeting.

I know this is getting long but (hopefully) it's "good stuff". I see lots of great training tips and I hope you implement a program similar to what you see so I thought I'd give you some tips on how to go about with the training.

1: Have a sign-in sheet at each training station. This helps you know who has and who hasn't completed training as well as it helps kids realize the importance of safety. (With these sheets it's always good to have a few spare pencils!)

2: Try to get mentors with shop experience to conduct the training. It's always great if they can re-enforce the training with stories from their own experience and can entertain the students as well as show them the reality of accidents.

3: Keep an accessible matrix of who has and has not completed training/tests. Excel is great for this. All you need is a team roster in the first column and then at the top list what tools/demonstrations/tests you give. Then simply mark for each student which of those they have attended. This can be easily done if you have them sign at each station.

4: Don't just do what the FIRST/UL safety manual suggests. That's just what you need to start but there is sooo much more that really should be done. I'd suggest hooking up with a few local businesses and talk to their safety advisers to see what they do.

5: Change is not bad. Don't be afraid to add to your safety program or try something new. The only way you are going to improve is to learn something new and try it.

6: I wouldn't start with everything I've mentioned at once. Start with the basic training/testing and then add more as your team's safety program and culture grows.

7: If you need any more help, feel free to message me

[JennyLeigh]

Written tests?
I've recently been appointed Safety Captain for team #2424, and I'm trying to get a little bit more prepared for next season. I think written tests would be a spectacular idea, but I was wondering if you might have some examples, or even a link to one I could print out? I'm not 100% sure I could make one by myself and still manage to cover all the topics!
Thank you!

[Eagleeyedan]

Originally Posted by JennyLeigh

Written tests?
I've recently been appointed Safety Captain for team #2424, and I'm trying to get a little bit more prepared for next season. I think written tests would be a spectacular idea, but I was wondering if you might have some examples, or even a link to one I could print out? I'm not 100% sure I could make one by myself and still manage to cover all the topics!
Thank you!

Sure thing! Right now I am in the process of creating a safety database website for teams but I don't have those online yet. I have given them to other users on Chief Delphi though. Send me a PM with your email (or a temporary/team email, up to you) and I can send you the whole package

[Al Skierkiewicz]

Don't talk to someone who is operating a machine. Wait until they finish and power down.

[Seth Mallory]

As a Safety Advisor for 5+ years I have looked at many programs. All of the teams that have won Safety at west coast regionals have good programs and will send you theirs. So will my team 192. Look at several different ones and you will find things to make a safety program that you want. A safety program can be from a simple shop safety to a program the would work for a factory and pass OSHA. Different teams have different needs you need to fined what will fit your team. Ours gets check out by risk management lawyers almost every year and we have to satisfy them or we do not operate.