Safety has become an increased focus within the Team this year.  A goal this season is to expand the Team’s Safety focus on everything from workplace Safety to proper body mechanics. 

Earl Mayhew, a Physical Therapist and owner of Family Physical Therapy, spent an evening teaching the Team about biomechanics.   Earl compared physics and the mechanics of a machine to the human body.   Physical activity, such as lifting a heavy object, should be done with the same consideration as  if a robot was designed to perform the same task.  Using proper body posture and lifting techniques will not only make the task easier, it will also prevent injuries and future medical problems.

Additional training is also planned in First Aid,  Severe Weather and Emergency Evacuation Procedures and proper use of various hand and power tools.  A  visibility board is being created to track Students’ completed training throughout the season.  The board will help Mentors quickly identify Students who are trained on the tools for the task at hand.

Kylie Nickola, the Team’s 2008 season Safety Captain, was selected to continue this role for the 2009 season.  Kylie has assembled the Team’s First Aid kit, hazardous material clean up procedures, and ensures the Team adheres to all required Safety procedures at the FIRST competitions. 

Eric Sandrock has been selected to fulfill the role as Assistant Safety Captain this season, and will work with Kylie in all matters of Safety.

The entire EngiNERDs Team joined Keller-Williams Realty in a Truckload of Giving project. The Team spent a cold, rainy Saturday in November of 2008 collecting donations for Coats for Kids, Toys for Tots, and The Food Bank of Eastern Michigan. The Team was able to collect 1,100 lbs of food and 120 coats, among other monetary donations.