Safety
Safety of participants is a major concern at a drone or robotics event, both within the venue and beyond its doors. As always, common sense should prevail. Below are just a few of the safety practices participants and guests should follow.
Outside the Venue
- It is always a good practice for students to travel in groups, never alone.
- Have a basic understanding of entrances and exits to the building. If a map is available, keep it on hand.
- Be aware of the traffic flow and walking hazards to and from your transportation.
- Keep your vehicles locked.
Inside the Venue
- If you have physical limitations, contact the event partner for possible accommodations.
- Always know where first aid and safety devices are located.
- Assign a person to monitor safety for your team at the event.
- Keep your pit area clean and neat.
- Avoid trip hazards by keeping the floor in your pit area clear.
- Store all tools and sharp objects when they're not in use.
- Check with the event partner on where to connect your battery chargers.
- Work on your robot or drone in your pit area. Do not work on your robot or drone in aisles.
- Do not create any structures in your work area that may fall over.
- When testing your robot or drone, be aware of your surroundings and people who are standing nearby.
- Always wear appropriate shoes. Open-toed shoes and sandals are highly discouraged.
- Running, pushing, shoving, and other aggressive behavior must be avoided.
- Keep trash and other debris picked up.
- Report any safety concern to the event partner.
Robot/Drone Safety
- When working on your robot or drone, be careful of pinch points, sharp edges, or spinning objects like propellers.
- Power tools such as die grinders, reciprocating saws, and lathes are generally not allowed. Check with the event partner before bringing them to an event.
- Any tool that creates sparks should not be used. A Dremel tool should only be operated at speeds that do not create sparks.
- Appropriate eye protection is recommended anytime a tool that has rotational motion is powered on and when working on or driving a robot or drone.
- For many programs, safety glasses are required for drive and flight team members at the field. Safety glasses are recommended at the field for all programs, including in the pit areas.