End Safety Theater

[MrBasse]

Originally Posted by Carol

Since one of the goals of FIRST is to prepare students for STEM careers, we should we demonstrating the standard behaviors expected from someone working in industry. Gloves are the standard practice in industry; therefore we should make them the standard practice in FIRST. Safety glasses (true safety glasses, ANSI standard) are the standard practice in industry. MSDS sheets are the standard practice in industry. Whether you think you are generally safe or not isn't the point; at some point these practices will save someone from harm.

On another note, the biggest hazard in picking up the robot is how most students bend from the waist to pick it up. My back muscles cringe every time I see that. They may not feel the pain from the resultant damage at the age of 16, but when they are older.........

OSHA doesn't require gloves for lifting.

From OSHA Safety Guidelines - "Hand protection is required when employee's hands are exposed to hazards such as those from skin absorption of harmful substances; severe cuts or lacerations; severe abrasions; punctures; chemical burns; thermal burns; and harmful temperature extremes."

If you have any of those situations present on your robot, you aren't competing because you didn't pass inspection.

If you are cleaning up a split battery, wear chemical gloves. For broken glass, wear puncture resistant gloves. I will not wear gloves when I help load our robot onto the field because they are more of a hazard than they are helpful. Again, establish a specific protocol for loading and unloading your robot. Your protocol may involve gloves. My students are welcome to wear gloves. I will not because I want to be able to feel what I am doing and reduce the risk of a glove catching on something unintended.