| | 57 | [[Image(https://d2gg9evh47fn9z.cloudfront.net/thumb_COLOURBOX6978543.jpg,25%,nolink,left)]] |
| | 58 | FRC robots use powerful batteries and motors, powerful enough to injure or kill someone. Safety is a '''crucial''' aspect of FRC robotics and for your own safety and the safety of your team-mates, learning to handle the robot and its components properly is essential. Repeated safety violations are among the few things that ''will'' cause you to be cut from the team. FIRST provides a detailed [https://www.firstinspires.org/sites/default/files/uploads/resource_library/frc/team-resources/safety/2017/2017-safety-manual.pdf safety manual] and every member of the team is responsible for building and encouraging a culture of safety, from small things like always wearing safety glasses when in the shop or working with robots and tools to critical electrical safety such as: |
| | 59 | * FRC robots must have a visible [https://wpilib.screenstepslive.com/s/4485/m/24166/l/144972-status-light-quick-reference Robot Status Light] (aka RSL) that is either on solid or blinking when the robot is powered up. |
| | 60 | * Long hair must be tied back and no loose clothing when working with motors |
| | 61 | * Wear sturdy shoes that cover your feet entirely - if you or someone else drops a battery on it, your foot will break (not the battery) |
| | 62 | * Always wear safety glasses when working with tools or the robot. Power tools often throw off sharp pieces of metal and a short circuit will cause flying pieces of molten metal; on your arm, those will cause a minor injury, but in your eye, you may gain a permanent disability. |
| | 63 | * Wires and connections must be insulated (covered with non-conducting materials) to ensure no accidental electrical contact. Exposed wires create both a shock hazard and a burn/short circuit hazard. Electrical tape, heat-shrink tubing insulation, and non-conductive barriers should ensure no people and no metal can accidentally contact a live electrical wire or terminal. If you see exposed wires, turn off power and add insulation. |
| | 64 | * Treat batteries, wires, and motors with respect. A lot of power is involved in an FRC robot and things get '''hot'''. |
| | 65 | * Lead-acid batteries contain acid (who would have guessed). This is not citric acid like a lemon, it's sulphuric acid, like burn through your clothes and skin. If a battery breaks or explodes (it happens): |
| | 66 | * Don't panic, it [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sEY5bSM3OyQ takes some time for the acid to do damage to skin], but it is particularly dangerous for your eyes. Either way, wash it off your skin and clothes ''immediately'' |
| | 67 | * Do not touch the electrolyte |
| | 68 | * Have several boxes of baking soda on hand to neutralize the battery acid (see [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sEY5bSM3OyQ this video) made by another FRC team for how to clean up a battery acid spill. |
| | 69 | * Use appropriate thickness wire (more on this below) |
| | 70 | * All circuits must include a fuse or circuit breaker to open the circuit (disconnect power) if it is drawing too much current |
| | 71 | * Before turning the robot on, shout (yes shout) "Robot Active" |
| | 72 | * Read the FIRST FRC safety manual: [https://www.firstinspires.org/sites/default/files/uploads/resource_library/frc/team-resources/safety/2017/2017-safety-manual.pdf here] |
| | 73 | |
