Creating a Culture of Safety

1. Creating a Culture of Safety Steve Bissen – Mentor - FIRST Team 2977 Sir Lancer Bots stevebissen@gmail.com

2. Safety and FIRST Robotics Competition • Safety is a core value of FIRST • It’s everyone's responsibility – not just the Safety Captain • Use Common Sense – Think ahead & communicate • Doesn’t just happen in the shop or the pit • Wellness: Getting enough sleep, taking care of yourself, water.

3. FRC Team Safety Manual • Can be found at www.usfirst.org • Locate it • Print it • Read it • Three hole punch it • Place in binder • Look, your safety binder is started

4. PPE – What is it? • Personal Protective Equipment • Safety Glasses – where do you need them? • Shoes • Gloves • Hearing Protection • Be Aware of….. • Loose fitting clothing / sweatshirt strings • Long Hair should be pulled back • Again – use common sense

5. Tool Safety • Don’t use a tool if it’s broken • Use the right tool • Know how to use the tool safely • Work on a stable surface, not on your hand or in the air • Watch out for blades (boxcutters, etc) • Don’t distract • Don’t be distracted • Don’t use it if it’s broken (check it) • Plan what you’re going to do • Know how to use the tool • Have a mentor present • Do not leave a tool unattended while it’s on • Don’t leave hot/dangerous items where people can touch them

6. Batteries • They contain sulfuric acid • Do not use a dropped battery • Do not use a battery that looks damaged (check before using) • Check battery wires • Tight connection • Well insulated • Do not pick up a battery by the wires (pick it up by the case) • If a battery leaks/explodes • Battery disposal kit (critical item) • Chemical Safety Gloves • Bicarbonate of soda • Leak-proof container • Notify mentor and safety captain • Get medical assistance (if needed)

7. Working With The Robot • General Robot Safety • Don’t put your hands in the robot while it’s on • Don’t work on the robot if it’s on an unstable surface • Let out compressed air, turn off robot and relieve other sources of energy before working on it • Have people stand back before it’s powered on • Don’t drive too close to people • Notify people before enabling • Lifting the Robot • Make sure nobody’s working on the robot • Make sure the robot is off • Communicate • Wear gloves • Keep a good grip • Lift with your legs, not with your back • Don’t twist; if you have to turn, then turn with your feet

8. Safety at Competition • Before – create a Safety Manual. Use the FIRST Safety Manual • Pit • PPE • Clean and organized • Keep aisles clear • Kids 12 and under should have a person 18+ with them • Do not daisy chain power strips • Have battery spill kit, First Aid kit, fire extinguisher readily accessible • Report any injuries to the Pit Administration Supervisor • No running/horseplay • Safety Advisors are there to help

9. Role of the Safety Advisor • Safety Advisors are involved in ongoing safety assessment during the entire event. The Safety program nurtures a positive reinforcement model using safety credits to emphasize safe behavior and coaching to correct unsafe behavior. The goal is to have a safe event and to promote safety as a holistic life skill. Safety Advisors will receive training from the Lead Safety Advisor at the event. • Responsibilities: • Monitor overall event safety, observe unsafe actions and coach teams in appropriate safe behavior • Perform ongoing assessment of team behavior towards safety and determine the winner of the Safety Award • Manage the safety recognition awards aspect of the program

10. The Ah Ha Moment(s)! • Have a Safety Team, not just a Safety Manager. One member always “on duty” at competitions. • Great outreach opportunities – not just FRC related. • Community Events • Fire Prevention Month / Fire Extinguisher Training • First Aid Training • Embracing a Culture of Safety / Not Just at Events or in the Shop - In the hall, loading the trailer, at the hotel.

11. More Ah Ha’s • Read, utilize, implement the FIRST Safety Manual • Use the checklist – it’s there for a reason. Create a Team Safety Manual – Contacts, Emergency Plans, etc. • Have all the appropriate supplies (not expired) • When an incident happens, how do we make sure it doesn’t happen again? • The 5 Why’s or Root Cause Analysis

13. Example: • The vehicle will not start. (the problem) • Why? - The battery is dead. (first why) • Why? - The alternator is not functioning. (second why) • Why? - The alternator belt has broken. (third why) • Why? - The alternator belt was well beyond its useful service life and not replaced. (fourth why) • Why? - The vehicle was not maintained according to the recommended service schedule. (fifth why, a root cause) • Why? - Replacement parts are not available because of the extreme age of the vehicle. (sixth why, optional footnote) • Start maintaining the vehicle according to the recommended service schedule. (possible 5th Why solution)

14. Safety Leads to Life (and Work) Skills • Importance of being on time • Sleep and Well Being • Gracious Professionalism • Adapting To Change • Awareness of What is Happening Around You • Cell Phones

15. Safety Animation Award • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hP0v-00It9A

16. Questions? • What actions do you (and your team) need to take?