Hand Tools, Tool Storage, and Mechanical Guards

Always use the right tool — and a good one

Building a robot means constant tool use, and the Safety Manual’s first rule is simple: always use the proper tool for the job , and check its condition before use. Do not use defective, dull, or broken tools. If a tool is not in good condition, do not put it back on the shelf — remove it from service and tell a mentor so it can be replaced or repaired.

Tool rules that prevent the common injuries

• Place the work on a bench or hard surface , not in your hand, when cutting or drilling.
• When using knives or blades , direct cutting strokes away from your hand and body , be aware of people around you, and retract the blade before putting it down.
• Ensure all guards and protective coverings are installed and working.
• Wear gloves as applicable — but, again, avoid gloves on tools like drill presses where they can be caught.
• Wear safety glasses or goggles : eye protection is crucial with hand tools to shield against flying debris.

Tool storage

How you store tools matters as much as how you use them:

• Store sharp-edged or pointed tools in a safe place, and cover points and sharp edges with shields when carrying them.
• Never carry unshielded tools in your pocket.
• Do not leave tools on overhead surfaces where they can fall and strike someone below — a falling wrench in a crowded pit is a serious hazard (and, near a battery, a short-circuit risk).
• Store equipment where it will not create a hazard or get damaged.

Mechanical guards

The manual is unambiguous: provide safety guards for power tools where required, and never use any equipment without its safety guards in place. Band saws, drill presses, lathes, mills, and bench grinders all have guards for a reason. If you find broken or defective equipment, take it out of service — unplug it, remove the key, post a sign — and notify your mentor until repairs are made. Only people with the knowledge and experience to operate shop equipment should run it, and they must secure all loose articles (clothing, jewelry, hair) first.

A note from the workspace section

The “Safety in Your Workspaces” section adds practical machine habits: be especially careful around high-speed rotating components both on and off the robot; tools that generate heat (heat guns, soldering irons) retain heat after shutoff and should be set down only on appropriate surfaces; and participants must be behind shielding or in a marked-off safety area when a robot is actively operating, to prevent accidental contact.

Build a tool-check habit

The Safety Checklist (Appendix A) asks specifically whether powered tools are in good condition, whether tools are properly stored when not in use, and whether guards and safety devices are in place and operational. Make answering “yes” to all three a daily ritual.

Key takeaways

• Inspect every tool before use; pull defective tools from service rather than reshelving them.
• Cut away from your body, retract blades before setting down, and never carry unshielded tools in a pocket.
• Never run a machine without its guards; tag out and unplug broken equipment until it’s repaired.
• Only trained people operate shop machines, and only with loose clothing, jewelry, and hair secured.

This lesson was adapted from learnfrc.com.