Tying back hair in the pits at competition

[Lil' Lavery]

Originally Posted by FrankJ

Part of a safety culture is recognizing appropriate precautions. The only people that really need their hair tied back are people actively working on a robot. Anybody not actively working on an enabled robot should be far enough away that the robot cannot reach out and grab them. If not they are not working safely. A crowded pit is more dangerous than loose hair.

Not to say tying your hair back as matter of policy isn't a good idea.

Originally Posted by Jon Stratis

Long hair in the pits isn't that bad. Long hair while using power tools or having your head stuck in a robot is.

On our team, we have a general rule about hair - it must be safely tied back of your in the machine shop, using power tools, or using soldering irons (I *really* hate the smell of burned hair). This extends to the pit at competition... If your working on the robot, you need to have your hair properly stowed. If you're there programming, or as a pit presenter for judges, or just talking to spectators, it just isn't important.

And anyone that forgets to bring something to tie their hair back with gets a zip tie. It may not be a super fashion statement, but it's effective!

Having your hair tied back when you're in the same room as power tools (or a robot) is generally a good idea. While the immediate risk is less for anyone not working actively with them, you never know what situations may arise very quickly. This is especially true in an area as cramped and crowded as the pits at a competition. If an event occurs that forces people to move rapidly (say someone trips or loses control of a power tool), they may suddenly change from being at a safe distance to in a precarious position. Always tie your hair back. The benefit of free flowing hair does not outweigh the potential hazard, however unlikely.