Exposed gears/chain

[barn34]

My personal rule of thumb is that if a system failure could cause serious injury even while the robot is properly disabled and/or unpowered (perfect example is a stored energy catapault from 2014) you should definitely implement some sort of safety device for that system.

For example, if any part of our shooter latch system would have failed last year (pneumatic system, latch control, set point check, latch pin, etc.) it would have made for a very bad day for anyone with a body part anywhere near it even with the robot properly disabled. Thus, we made sure to diligently utilize a safety strap anytime work was required around the robot when energy was stored in the catapault and the robot disabled and/or unpowered.

On the flip side, we have exposed sprockets and chains on the intake of our robot this year, but we don't utilize a specific guard or shield. The reason is because anytime the robot is properly disabled, those gears/sprockets aren't at risk of moving and causing an injury. See the difference between the two situations? If you follow general safe procedures regarding robot/person interaction and making sure the robot is always disabled and/or unpowered, you shouldn't have a safety concern regarding open sprockets and chains. Does that make sense?