Safety Training Guide for Class B Build Zone
General robot building, repair, electrical work, programming and driving. Before doing work in Class B Build Zones this guide has to be read and understood. Team members will have to show proof of competency.
Please review:
Student Training Record (Can-Do Cards)
Part 1 - Mechanical
General Robot Handling
Wear Your Safety Glasses
You MUST know what ALL of the ROBOT LIGHT SIGNALS mean (RSL) See table below in
Programming
Wear gloves
Inspect intended hand placement for hazards
Team lift
Lift from chassis
Know WHY you are moving the robot and place the robot thinking about that intended purpose
Carry robot with safety in mind
Always use a cart if a cart will work
Match your speed with your partner(s), DO NOT pull or push partner(s) with the robot
Do not twist or turn robot without agreeing with your partner(s)
Warn partner(s) immediately of faulty grip or dangerous circumstances
Announce your intentions to others nearby
You will need to manipulate metal and materials that are either loose or attached to the robot.
Wear Your Safety Glasses
Inspect material for sharp edges, burrs, or other hazards
Wear Gloves
Know your limits - do not carry materials that are too heavy or unwieldy
Do not force material with hands if a tool can be used
Be aware of actions that may break or splinter material causing flying debris or sharp items.
Forcing or Bending material can create a pinching or slicing hazard - Take care to think about the forces at play
Drilling with a Hand Drill
Clothing
Wear Your Safety Glasses
Do Not Wear Gloves
Tie long hair back or secure under clothing or hat
Tuck in loose clothing and pull up sleeves
No open-toed shoes (hot sharp chips)
Drill Bit
Know your drill bits - Choose the right drill bit for the material you are drilling into
Choose the correct size and sharpest available - do not use if chipped or damaged
For large holes - start with small bits and work your way up to the larger hole (typically 2 bits, 3 bits at most)
Do not use a tap in a power drill
Safe Practices PRIOR Drilling
Ensure that there is nothing behind the work piece that the drill can impact after it goes through
Ensure that the work piece is properly secured and will not move while drilling
Ensure proper footing
Balance your body such that you are not leaning nor extending
Find a safe solid location for your bracing hand away from the drilling area
Understand the direction of the force you will be using
PRACTICE your position with the drill OFF
Ensure drill bit is properly secured in drill chuck
Double check that drill will be rotating in the correct direction
Ensure that drill chips will be contained and will not
Fall or fly into electronics (good-bye robot)
Fall or fly into surrounding mechanics
Fall or fly into clothing or shoes
Safe Practices DURING Drilling
Do not use excessive force
Even at regular force take care to be prepared for the following
If the drilling is not going as planned STOP, re-inspect everything, ask for assistance
Listen for the calls of others, if you hear anything STOP
Safe Practices AFTER Drilling
The drill bit, chips and material will be HOT. Handle with care and protective gear.
If drill bit is stuck - back it out slowly - seek assistance
Place drill in safe position immediately
Inspect clothing for chips - especially socks and shoes
Inspect work piece for burrs or sharp edges and use proper techniques to remove
Remove drill bit after it has cooled and store
Store drill in proper location
Dispose of all chips and debris safely via gloves, brush, pan, and/or vacuum
Driving Screws (with battery drill)
Hammering and Prying
Wear Your Safety Glasses
Hammering
Inspect head of hammer and ensure that it is secure on end of handle
Inspect Handle and do not use if
Splintered or broken
Slippery
Consider all other options to accomplish work before resorting to a hammer
Keep hands away from expected impact of hammer
If unsure of abilities go slower and use less force
Do NOT have others hold nail punches, chisels, tools or items that you intend to hit
Use tools such as pliers and clamps to hold items to be impacted
Do not RUSH - be creative and take the time to make the operation as safe as possible
Consider unintended consequence - dents, material breaking, etc
Warn others of intention to swing hammer and ensure that the path of hammer is clear and cannot hit unintended items or persons
Prying
Prying material with crowbars and hammers stores spring force in the material
Ensure that fingers or body parts cannot be trapped once material is released
Avoid using hands or fingers to pry or distort material - Use a Tool
KNOW your material and examine the risk of
KNOW your tools and examine the risk of
Use proper stance and balance
Assume things can give way and prepare
Make sure that you, parts of your body, or the tool you are using will not move out of control in the event of any of the above, including successfully accomplishing your task
Side Cutters and Snips
Part 2 - Chemical
Wear Your Safety Glasses
Keep all liquids and chemicals way from electrical components
Keep face and nose away from applications - Arms Length - DO NOT BREATHE VAPORS, even simple wood glue
Wear latex or Nitrile Gloves when working with any chemical, lubricate, adhesive
Make sure others are clear of application area
Lubricants
WD40 and Oils
USE the fine tube to control spray
Use a paper towel to remove spray from unintended areas
If concerned about spray, apply to cloth and then apply to area
Grease
Adhesives
Part 3 - Electrical
IMPORTANT Always Wear Your Safety Glasses when using tools, soldering, performing wiring or any type of electrical/electronic work. While it seems safe, it is not! When using a simple soldering iron, and heating any material, every with a small application point such as a soldering iron, reactions such as popping, spraying or other thermal events can occur!
Use common sense when using batteries, regardless of size. Pay attention to terminals on the battery, and that there is no chance of them being shorted with a tool, fixture, or when stored (shelving brackets, or other metal coming into contact). Store batteries in a clean, cool, dry place. Rule of thumb; if it is not comfortable for you, don't store the battery there. Batteries can leak or even explode when stored in heated, confined compartments. Batteries have stored energy - treat them as such.
Soldering
When using a soldering iron, be aware of the application of heat. Know the correct temperature value for soldering PCBs (printed Circuit boards) [750 deg.F], and wiring harnesses [slightly lower or higher based on AWG]. Parts, componets and wiring can be damaged due to applying excessive heat. Be clear in what is needed to solder or de-solder components BEFORE doing the task. Have all tools such as plyers, tweezers, de-soldering tools ready
Be aware of recent soldered assemblies, as they can still burn when touched. Be aware of time needed for parts to cool.
Take time and use soldering tools in a clear and accurate manner, not only for best results, but unneeded finger burns, and other hand injuries.
Assembly
Use proper tools, that are in working order (sharp, free moving and per requirement). Injury or part damage can result due to tools being worn, dull or inappropraite for the job, no matter how small the tool. Electrical assembly requires detailed work, and the tools used can give a unneeded cut, puncture or burn if not in working order and used correctly.
Keep a clean workplace, with plenty of lighting. Injury or issues arise due to having a messy, disorganized workplace.
Be aware of any types of chemicals, lubricants or adheasives used on new or re-worked parts. Injury due to vapors, applying a secondary type of chemical or task to an unknown part, can result due to not knowing “what is on” or already applied to componets. Find out first what is needed, then perform the type of work with the correct material and the correct tool. Be aware that rework may be required to accomplish the needed task.
Part 4 - Programming with Robot Present
RSL State | Meaning |
Solid ON | Robot On and Disabled |
Blinking | Robot On and Enabled |
Off | Robot Off, roboRIO not powered or RSL not wired properly |
Part 5 - Driving or Testing Robot
When operating a robot in order to drive or test significant moving features all rules above apply with the addition of the following
Wear Your Safety Glasses
Ensure that a Mentor or Coach is present
Be prepared to:
Listen - does everything sound like it should?
Smell - are there any odd odors that could be coming from the machine?
Watch - is there anything odd about the robots movement?
Use your Intuition - is the plan well thought out, are you confident in it?
Shut It Down - Rather Safe than Sorry
A student must be assigned to control the environment and ensure that everyone that enters the area is informed and clear of danger
The environment must be adjusted such that unintentional movement of robot or apparatus will not impact people
The environment should be analysed for any items that could pose a danger if impacted by the robot
You may not test features that project items or involve significant forces that could cause the robot to fall or pieces of the robot to break UNLESS a plan has been developed with a knowledgeable Mentor or Coach
You may not operate the robot in a joking or reckless manner
You may not operate the robot without being prepared to disable the machine quickly upon any concerns