Robot Safety

[Kim Masi]

Originally Posted by KenWittlief

usually you dont have to worry about putting chain guards on your drivetrain, because its not as easy to stick a finger in a chain while the bot is moving

people who are working on the robot are more likely to poke a finger into things that can spin or move while the bot is sitting still.

In general, any part of the robot that can hurt someone should be shielded if possible. This year FIRST requires that all shooter mechanisms be shielded.

also, when working on your robot it should be a rule, the person who turns the power on must first make sure everyone is standing back, then announce "CLEAR" before you apply power. There are several reasons for this: you never know if the bot will lurch when you apply power, or if one of your pneumatic cylinders will trigger unexpectedly.

Always be cautious when you wake a sleeping robot! :^)

Also, whenever you power up anything, for testing or for competition, make sure everyone is wearing safety glasses. Even if they aren't right next to the bot, if they're working on CADD or something 10 feet away, they should still be wearing safety glasses. Also, be aware of pinch points on your robot, and show everyone on the team where not to put their hands...also, when working on the robot, it's a good idea to make sure the battery is unplugged, that way there is no chance of an accidental start up.