MSA Robotics Shop Rules

Safety comes before the robot. Everyone is responsible for working safely, reporting hazards, and looking out for the people around them. If something feels unsafe, stop work and notify the lead staff person or a mentor immediately.

Register Before You Arrive

  • Teams must register on the Shop page no later than the day before the session. Drop-ins are not permitted.
  • Attend only sessions that are open to your program: FLL, FTC, or FRC.
  • Schedule changes should be decided as a team and updated through the registration system.
  • Students may work only when the scheduled lead staff person or an authorized mentor is present.

Sign In, Sign Out, and Stay on Task

  • Every person must sign in before entering the shop and sign out when leaving.
  • Work in the room assigned to your activity. Some rooms or work areas may be reserved for FLL, FTC, FRC, robot construction, or project work.
  • Stay with your team, remain on task, and follow directions from the lead staff person.
  • Disruptive or unsafe behavior may result in removal from the session, loss of shop privileges, or a requirement that additional coaches attend.
  • Do not enter an active FRC/FTC machine area without permission and the required personal protective equipment.

Personal Protective Equipment and Clothing

  • Approved safety glasses must be worn anywhere a robot is running or being worked on, in machine areas, and whenever staff directs. Regular prescription glasses are not a substitute unless safety-rated; wear approved goggles over non-safety prescription glasses.
  • Wear substantial shoes that fully cover the toes and heels. Sandals, slides, Crocs, slippers, bare feet, and other open footwear are not allowed near robots or shop work.
  • Tie back long hair and secure or remove loose clothing, hoodie strings, jewelry, lanyards, and anything else that could become caught in a robot or machine.
  • Use hearing protection, face protection, gloves, or other PPE when directed. Use the correct glove for the task, but never wear gloves around rotating machinery such as a drill press or band saw.
  • Visitors must follow the same PPE and footwear rules as team members.

Tools, Machines, and Hot Work

  • Use a tool or machine only after receiving training and permission from a mentor or the lead staff person. Use the correct tool for the job.
  • Inspect tools, cords, guards, and safety devices before use. Never bypass a guard. Remove damaged, dull, or defective equipment from service and tell a mentor.
  • Secure work on a bench or in a vise instead of holding it in your hand. Cut away from your body and keep hands clear of blades, bits, pinch points, and moving parts.
  • Keep sparks, hot tools, and flammable materials separated. Solder only in a ventilated area on a fire-resistant surface, wear eye protection, return the iron to its holder, keep food and drink away, and wash your hands after handling solder.
  • Never distract someone who is operating a machine or working with a hot tool.

Robots, Stored Energy, and Testing

  • Before servicing a robot, power it off and disconnect the battery. For FRC robots, open the main breaker, unplug the battery, vent all pneumatic pressure, release springs or tension, and lower raised mechanisms.
  • Announce robot testing before enabling. Keep everyone behind shielding or outside the marked safety area, and allow space for every mechanism to move through its full range.
  • Never work beneath an unsecured robot or mechanism. Make sure the robot is stable before beginning work.
  • Plan lifts before moving a robot. Clear the path, secure loose parts, use enough people—two people are preferred for large robots—and use an appropriate cart when available.

Batteries, Electricity, and Chemicals

  • Inspect batteries before use. Do not use a cracked, swollen, leaking, dropped, overheated, or otherwise damaged battery. Isolate it and notify a mentor immediately.
  • Use the correct charger, keep charging areas ventilated and orderly, cover exposed terminals, and never carry a battery by its wires or power leads.
  • Do not daisy-chain extension cords or power strips, overload outlets, or use cords with exposed wiring or damaged insulation.
  • Keep chemicals in their original labeled containers. Follow the product label and Safety Data Sheet, and report any spill or exposure immediately.
  • Only trained adults should respond to a leaking battery or significant chemical spill. Keep required spill supplies and Safety Data Sheets accessible.

Clean Up Before You Leave

  • Return tools, parts, LEGO elements, batteries, and safety equipment to their assigned locations.
  • Put away your robot or robot box and leave tables, floors, fields, and aisles clean and uncluttered.
  • Remove scraps, chips, cords, and other slipping or tripping hazards. Do not leave tools or materials where they can fall.
  • Teams that leave an unsafe or messy workspace may lose shop privileges.

Fields and Special Training Days

  • Use permanent LEGO fields respectfully and leave them ready for the next team. Ask a mentor before setting up an additional field.
  • All-group training days may be scheduled for programming, tools, safety, or other topics. Watch the robotics calendar and attend sessions that apply to your team.

Emergencies and Injuries

  • Stop work and notify the lead staff person or a mentor immediately about any injury, illness, near miss, unsafe condition, damaged tool, battery problem, or spill.
  • Know the locations of exits, the emergency meeting point, first-aid supplies, eyewash, fire extinguisher, and emergency contacts.
  • In a fire or serious emergency, follow staff directions and evacuate. Do not attempt to use a fire extinguisher unless you are trained and it is safe to do so.

These local rules supplement MSA policies, staff instructions, manufacturer documentation, and the current FIRST program and competition manuals. When requirements differ, follow the stricter rule. Review the FIRST Safety Manual for complete guidance.