Event and Pit Safety Rules

At events, the rules are enforced

The Safety Manual educates, but at events the enforced rules come from the Game Manual's Event Rules section (Section 14, "Event Rules (E)," in the 2025 and 2026 seasons; it was Section 13 in 2024). Note that Section 8, "Game Rules: Humans," is a different section that covers the drive team's personal equipment during matches (rule H1), so for general pit and eye-protection rules, look to the Event Rules section. The Safety Manual's Appendix D "Event Safety Reminders" — reviewed at the first Safety Captains' meeting at each event — summarizes the must-knows.

Eye protection in the pit and at the field

• Safety glasses are required at all times in the pit area and on the competition field. FIRST needs teams' help to enforce this — ask your members and spectators to wear them.
• Use ANSI Z87.1 / UL Listed / CE EN166 / AS-NZS 1337 / CSA Z94.3 rated glasses. Reflective lenses are not allowed; lightly tinted lenses are fine for general use as long as eyes are clearly visible.
• Every person entering the pit needs safety glasses, or safety-rated prescription glasses with side shields — so bring several spare pairs so a teammate can fetch glasses for others.
• The 10-minute exception: Teams may enter the pits without safety glasses for the first 10 minutes of their load-in and the first 10 minutes after pits open each day, until they start working on the robot or setting up their pit. Once you touch the robot or pit setup, glasses go on.

Footwear and people rules

• Wear shoes that completely cover the entire foot — substantial, closed toes and heels. Flip-flops, sandals, mules, Crocs, and lightweight slippers are not acceptable; loose sandals or bare feet are never allowed in the pit.
• Children 12 and under must always be accompanied by a person 18 or older.
• Use the Buddy System / 2-Person Rule when traveling at the event, and know who event volunteers and key personnel are (look for nametags) in case of emergency.

Pit station setup rules

• Observe the 10-foot height limit for all pit structures, banners, signs, and displays (it is enforced; the Safety Checklist asks about it explicitly). A team pit is typically a 10 ft. x 10 ft. footprint.
• Do not build structures to support people or storage over the top of your work area.
• Keep the aisle immediately outside your pit clear for pedestrians and robot transit.
• Securely mount toolboxes, signs, and displays; control access to your station; keep it neat.
• Use power strips properly (no daisy-chaining, don't exceed the rating).
• Small, bench-top band saws and drill presses with appropriate guards are allowed in the team pit.

General event prohibitions

The manual lists clear "don'ts": no skateboards, hoverboards, or drones; no bottled gas tanks (such as helium); no throwing objects (like paper airplanes) from the stands; and no open flames in the venue except by authorized personnel in approved locations (such as a machine shop). Also report all injuries and illnesses to the EMT stationed near Pit Administration.

Tear-down

Before your team leaves each day, the manual says to clean the floor in and around your pit, properly store all tools, properly care for batteries and chargers, and tidily store personal belongings. Leave the space better than you found it — that is Gracious Professionalism in action.