2/9-2/14 2393 Safety Topics

FIRST General Forum
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Monday 1/11: When inclement weather occurs, be sure to wear supportive shoes with good grip to avoid falls.

Tuesday 1/12: Stop work prevents an incident, damage, or injury from occurring, no matter how minor or serious. Any one can call stop work. Safety is everyone’s responsibility.

Wednesday 1/13: To avoid straining your back when you are lifting make sure you keep a wide base of support, squat, keep good posture, slowly lift, hold it close to your body, use your feet to change direction, lead with your hips, and set down carefully. Never lift heavy objects above your head and avoid twisting your body while lifting or holding a heavy object.

Thursday 1/14: Be careful not to trip or fall when there are spills of walking surfaces, loose mats or rugs, poor lighting, walking areas are uneven, or there is snow, ice or rain outside. Use handrails when they are available and don’t walk with both hands full.

Friday 1/15: There are four main types of fire extinguishers. Class A extinguishers are for ordinary combustible materials such as paper, wood, cardboard, and most plastics. Class B extinguishers are for fires involving flammable or combustible liquids such as gasoline, kerosene, grease and oil. Class C extinguishers are for fires involving electrical equipment, such as appliances, wiring, circuit breakers and outlets. Never use water to extinguish class C fires. Class D extinguishers are commonly found in a chemical laboratory. Our fire extinguisher is a class A, B and C extinguisher. When using a fire extinguisher remember PASS, pull, aim, squeeze and sweep.

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Monday 2/2: Stop Work Authority

Anyone in the pit or work area has the authority to call “Stop work!” When someone shouts this, all work must pause until the issue is addressed. It is better to call for work to stop and have a false alarm than to be afraid of stopping work and have a real emergency. Also remember that no food or drink is allowed in our pit at any time.

Tuesday 2/3: Horseplay

Simply put: Don’t do it. There is a fine line between horseplay and having fun while working. Having fun while working is completely fine, but when the main focus is not on the work, the environment becomes a danger to those in it.

Wednesday 2/4: Electrical Safety

Check the wires before you plug any electronic into an outlet; check for frays or breaks in the outer covering, report them, and never use the damaged equipment.

Thursday 2/5: Fire Safety

In the event of a fire, pull the fire alarm and exit the building to then meet up in the parking lot of the MDF. Call 911 after exiting the building. If the fire is in a container like a trashcan, use the fire extinguisher and remember to PASS. P- Pull the pin on the extinguisher. A- Aim towards the source of the fire. S- Squeeze the handle to release the agent. S- Sweep from side to side at the base of the fire until it appears to be out. If the fire reignites, spray it again. If the fire is not out in 30 seconds, evacuate the building.

Friday 2/6: Sprains and Strains

If an object feels very heavy when you try to lift it, ask for help. Watch out for spills and slippery surfaces. Make sure you are wearing shoes with good grip.

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Monday 2/9: Material Handling

About a quarter of all injuries in the work place are a result of improper material handling. Some examples of common injuries from material handling are sprains and strains. To avoid these injuries, look for jagged edges on an object you plan to lift. Be certain of a clear walkway throughout the workspace at all times. Make sure to clean grease off of surfaces when work is finished, as grease prevents proper grip.

Tuesday 2/10: Stairs and Handrail Use

Please go up and down stairs one step at a time to avoid tripping. Do not rush when using the stairs, and make sure you are holding on to the handrail. Using your phone while on the stairs is strongly discouraged.

Wednesday 2/11: Spray Paint Safety

When using spray paint, stay away from all heat sources, like an open flame, and store the bottles in a cool environment. Assure that there is ventilation for the fumes from the paint to avoid inhalation.

Thursday 2/12: Work Stress

Most importantly, stay calm even though the world seems like it’s falling apart when the robot doesn’t work. :slight_smile: Be cautious of how you communicate with others; we’re all working towards the same goal, so be nice! Keep a good diet and take some time for yourself to decompress.

Friday 2/13: Cold Weather Safety

Stay warm by layering your clothing and bringing extra layers along with you…not a bad idea to have an emergency heavy coat in your car. Wear sturdy shoes when going outside.

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Thank you. :slight_smile:

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