Tying back hair in the pits at competition

[robochick1319]

Originally Posted by GreyingJay

Hi everyone (first post!)

The scenario I picture is this: Someone in your pit is using (safely) a power tool such as a drill or sander. You are standing well back, observing, and your hair is not secured because you figure you are standing far enough back for it not to be a hazard. Another team is moving their robot in the alleyway behind you. Suddenly, their robot slips off the cart and starts to come crashing down where you are standing. You quickly step out of the way, with room to spare - but your long hair flies into the path of the sander.

We could play all sorts of "what if" scenarios (maybe you shouldn't be standing around observing, maybe the drill station should be in the back corner of your pit, etc.) but the point stands - we must always be prepared for the unexpected.

Yea, that's a lot of what-if scenarios. I mean I really can't picture a scenario where that wouldn't be easily preventable by reducing other hazards.

a) design carts where robots can't "slip off" and have robot escorts there to ensure safe transportation

b) use power tools well inside the pit where they can't be easily accessed by people in the aisle. Remember we often have visitors at these events who stand just outside the pits.

Besides, how really likely is it that even if you moved out of the way of a falling robot that your hair would swing far enough into the line of a drill? It's really, really unlikely. It's more likely that someone's clothing would get caught before hair would.

I just find it odd hat there is this fascination with discussing tying hair back to the point of "let's all wear hairnets and tuck into our shirts" (both of which could STILL get caught in the drill in your scenario) but there is almost no talk of other really serious and highly prevalent issues.

Like for one, robots should never be run in the pits. If your robot is in the pits and is ON it should be on a cart where the wheels can't run. That way if you lose control and the wheels move, you won't run someone over. THAT scenario has actually happened to our team when another team was "practicing" with their robot, lost control, and literally RAN one of our mentors over.

Can we start that thread?