Pinch Points
What should you do before handling a robot to avoid pinch injuries?
Turn off your robot before handling it.
What causes sharp edges on robot parts?
A part breaking or cracking (metal or plastic) creates sharp edges.
What personal protective equipment should you always wear to protect your eyes?
Safety glasses (eye protection).
What kind of shoes should you wear when working around robots?
Closed-toe shoes.
Name one cause of very hot surfaces when working with robots.
Heat from soldering, heat guns, friction, electrical shorts, or mechanical stress (bending metal).
Name two things you should remove or secure so they don't get caught in pinch points.
Tie back long hair; remove dangling jewelry, scarves, neckties, or loose clothing/accessories.
After a part breaks and has a sharp edge, these should be done to make it safe.
File or sand edges to remove sharpness.
Give two examples of robot situations that can cause flying debris.
Because energized elastics can snap and send pieces flying into eyes
Why should you operate your robot on the floor rather than on a table?
To prevent robots or parts from falling off tables and injuring someone—floor is safer.
What should you do with batteries before storing them to reduce risk?
Place electrical tape over battery terminals and use appropriate chargers; inspect before storage.
Describe one method to lock an arm or manipulative so it won't move while you work on it.
Insert a shaft/screw through aligned holes, use a jam gear between gears, or create a trig (triangle) brace between arm and tower.
Name two places you should check for sharp edges besides the robot itself.
Playing field elements and game pieces; connectors or shipped parts.
Because energized elastics can snap and send pieces flying into eyes
Because energized elastics can snap and send pieces flying into eyes.
If you need to work on an extended robot, what safer position should you use?
Lay the robot down in its lowest, least hazardous position.
Why should you inspect cables before powering up the robot
To avoid shorts, sparks, or fires from cracked or frayed cables that could overheat.
Explain why you should slowly move pivot points, wheels, sprockets, and gears before powering the robot.
To check that there are no cables, tubing, elastic materials, or hardware that could be caught and cause injury or damage.
Why is it important to inspect connectors and parts after shipping or assembly?
To catch manufacturing or shipping damage (burs, cracks) that could injure users.
What should you do if flying debris gets into your eye or onto your skin?
Seek immediate medical attention if debris enters eyes or causes skin damage; flush eyes and get help
Give two things you should do to keep tools and parts from falling or causing someone to trip.
Keep work area neat and organized; return tools and parts to storage when done.
Give two precautions to take when using tools that can get very hot (like soldering irons or heat guns).
Use appropriate protective gear (gloves, eye protection), keep others away, allow tools to cool before storing, and point canned air/aerosols away from skin.
What should you do if you get a pinched area that might be serious?
Seek immediate medical attention.
If you get cut by a robot part, what is the immediate action you should take?
Seek immediate medical attention for any cut or scratch.
Name one high-RPM device on a robot that could produce dangerous flying debris.
High-RPM motors, flywheels, or spinning devices
Explain why walking instead of running is an important personal guideline around robots.
Running increases risk of tripping or being hit by moving robots or falling objects.
Describe what to do if someone gets a burn or frostbite from extreme temperature exposure.
Seek immediate medical attention for burns or frostbite; run cool water for burns and seek help per medical guidance.