Entity: Stem for You LLC, d/b/a STEM4U · 21690 Red Rum Dr #182, Ashburn, VA 20147 Applies to: all students, coaches, mentors, and visitors in the STEM4U workshop and at FTC events. Owner: Operations coach + a student Safety Captain each season. Last updated: 2026-09-03 · Review: each season and after any incident.

This plan covers physical safety (tools, batteries, the robot, the shop, events). Adult conduct / child safety is covered separately in the Youth Protection Policy. FIRST rules cited are summarized — the 2026–27 FIRST Tech Challenge Competition Manual (BIOBUZZ) and the FIRST FTC/FRC Safety Manual are the authority.

PREPARE — our fundamental safety requirements

Everything in STEM4U safety rolls up to one mnemonic that spans both physical safety and youth protection. Coaches teach it; students and mentors live it.

		Lives in
P	Protect every participant — body and boundaries.	PPE (§2) · Youth Protection Policy
R	Restrict hazards & access — tools/machines to trained members; no one-on-one with a child.	§3–§4 · Youth Protection Policy
E	Encourage safe decisions & speaking up — anyone can call a Safety Stop or raise a concern.	§1 · Youth Protection Policy §7
P	Prohibit danger & misconduct — unsafe tool use; alcohol/drugs/weapons; bullying/abuse.	§3 · Code of Conduct · YP Policy §6
A	Adhere to the FIRST Code of Conduct, the Competition Manual, and STEM4U policies.	throughout
R	Ready for emergencies — first aid, 911, fire, reporting; current medical/contact info.	§8 · Emergency Medical Authorization
E	Ensure supervision & safe transitions — two-deep leadership and authorized pickup.	Youth Protection Policy §3 · Authorized Pick-Up

1. Safety culture (the FIRST way)

FIRST emphasizes teaching safe decision-making, not just enforcing rules — so kids can be safe even in unfamiliar situations. STEM4U runs the same way: everyone is empowered to call a “safety stop” at any time, no penalty. The student Safety Captain leads briefings, keeps the checklist, and owns the first-aid kit location.

2. Personal protective equipment (PPE)

ANSI Z87.1 safety glasses (with side shields) are worn near power tools, active robots, and practice/competition fields. Regular glasses/sunglasses don’t count; clear or lightly tinted preferred. (FIRST requires teams to supply Z87.1 eye protection at events.)
Closed-toe, closed-heel shoes in the shop and at events. No open shoes near tools or robots.
Tie back long hair; no loose sleeves, dangling jewelry, lanyards, or drawstrings near rotating machinery.
Hearing protection for loud power tools; nitrile gloves + ventilation for adhesives/solvents (not for rotating tools).

3. Shop rules

An adult is present whenever tools are in use. Nobody uses a machine they haven’t been trained and checked out on.
One person operates a machine at a time; keep a clear zone around it. Clean up your workspace; return tools.
Know where the first-aid kit, fire extinguisher, and exits are. No food/drink at the electronics or machine benches.

4. Power tools & machines (CNC, 3D printers, soldering, hand tools)

Training + sign-off required before first solo use of any power tool, the CNC mill, or the 3D printers.
CNC / rotating tools: eye protection on, guards in place, workpiece secured, hands clear, an adult present; never leave a running machine.
Soldering: ventilated area, iron in its stand, “hot!” called out, wash hands after (lead), burn-aware; never leave a hot iron unattended.
3D printers: hot nozzle/bed — no touching during/after prints; ventilate; don’t leave long prints running unattended overnight without a monitored setup.
Hand/power tools: right tool for the job, sharp blades cut away from the body, unplug before changing bits.

5. Batteries & electrical (FTC 12V system)

FTC robots run a 12V DC power system. Use only FTC-legal batteries and the correct charger for the chemistry; never mix chargers.
Inspect every battery before use — no dents, swelling, punctures, frayed leads, or damaged connectors. Remove damaged batteries from service and store for disposal.
Charge on a hard, non-flammable surface, away from combustibles, attended — never charge unattended or overnight. If a battery gets hot, hisses, or swells, disconnect (if safe) and isolate it.
Store batteries in the designated battery cabinet, terminals protected, at room temperature.
Secure the battery to the robot; a loose battery/pack or loose ballast is unsafe and fails inspection. Use the main power switch; power down before working on wiring.

6. Robot handling

Assume a robot can move. Keep hands, hair, and tools out of the frame when it’s powered; announce “enabling!” before powering on.
Mind pinch points (gears, linkages, drivetrain) and stored energy (stretched springs, raised arms, tensioned mechanisms) — release or flag stored energy before servicing, and disclose it during inspection.
Carry the robot with two hands from the frame, powered off; use a cart for moves.
Self-inspect before every event using FIRST’s Inspection Checklist — safety is the baseline for MATCH play.

7. Events / pit safety

Z87.1 glasses on at practice/competition fields, near power tools, and near active robots; closed-toe shoes required.
Keep the pit tidy and walkways clear; secure tools and batteries; no horseplay.
Follow event staff, Inspectors, and the Lead Robot Inspector (LRI) — they’re the final authority on safety at the event.
Report any injury or accidental damage to STEM4U staff and event officials.

8. Incident & injury response

Stop the activity. Make the area safe (power off, isolate a hot/damaged battery, kill the machine).
Injury: give basic first aid; call 911 for anything serious; contact the parent/guardian per the Emergency Medical Authorization.
Fire: small & contained → extinguisher (PASS) only if trained; otherwise evacuate and call 911.
Document what happened (who/what/when/how) and review with the team to prevent a repeat. Log battery incidents specifically.

Appendix A — Pre-build (shop) checklist

Safety Captain present; first-aid kit & extinguisher located
Everyone in Z87.1 glasses (near tools/robot) + closed-toe shoes
Only trained/checked-out members on machines; adult present
Batteries inspected; correct charger; charging attended on non-flammable surface
Workspace clear; stored energy on the robot flagged

Appendix B — Pre-competition checklist

Robot self-inspected against FIRST Inspection Checklist
Battery secured; main switch works; no loose ballast/components
Team Z87.1 glasses packed for all members + guests; closed-toe shoes
Pit kit: first aid, tape, spare hardware, charged/inspected batteries
Everyone briefed on “enabling!”, pinch points, and the safety-stop call

Sources & references

2026–27 FIRST® Tech Challenge Competition Manual (BIOBUZZ) — https://ftc-resources.firstinspires.org/ftc/game/manual
FIRST® Tech Challenge / FRC Safety Manual — https://www.firstinspires.org/hubfs/web/program/ftc/ftc-frc-safety-manual.pdf
FIRST safety-glasses (ANSI Z87.1) guidance — https://www.firstwisconsinrobotics.org/post/ftc-competition-safety-glasses
STEM4U enrollment: Emergency Medical Authorization, Assumption of Risk, Code of Conduct.

FIRST® and FIRST® Tech Challenge are trademarks of FIRST; rules are summarized for internal use and don’t supersede the official manuals.