Levels of safety

Priorities for eliminating hazards in the workplace

• Eliminate the hazard through the machine design stage• Apply safeguarding technology• Use warming signs and labels• Train and instruct the worker, programmer, and

maintenance personnel• Prescribe personal protective equipment and devices

Safety monitoring strategies

• Complete shut down of the robot upon detection of an intruder

• Activation of warning alarms• Reduction in the speed of the robot to a safe speed• Directing the robot to move its arm away from the

intruder to avoid collision• Directing the robot to perform tasks away from the

intruder

Ways to minimize errors

• Introduction– Guidelines for Robotics Safety

“Recent studies in Sweden and Japan indicate that many robot accidents do not occur under normal operating conditions but rather during programming, adjustment, testing, cleaning, inspection, and repair periods. During many of these operations, the operator, programmer or corrective maintenance worker may temporarily be within the robot work envelope while power is available to moveable elements of the robot system.”

– STD 01-12-002 – pub 8-1.3 – Guidelines For Robotics Safety

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• Introduction– Sources for Guidelines/Recommendations:

• Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).– Guidelines for Robotics Safety, STD 01-12-002.

– Industrial Robots and Robot System Safety – OSHA Technical Manual, TED 1-0.15A.

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• Introduction– Sources for Guidelines/Recommendations (continued):

• National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH).

– Preventing the Injury of Workers by Robots, PUB No. 85-103.

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• Introduction– Sources for Guidelines/Recommendations (continued):

• American National Standards Institute (ANSI).– Industrial Robots and Robot Systems – Safety

Requirements, ANSI/RIZ R15.06-1999.

– Manufacturing Systems/Cells, ANSI B11.20.

• International Organization for Standardization (ISO).– Safety of Integrated Manufacturing Systems, ISO 11161.

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• Sources of Robotic Hazards– Human error.– Control error.– Unauthorized access.– Mechanical failures.– Environmental sources.– Power systems.– Improper installation.

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• Accident Types– Impact.– Crushing.– Trapping.– Mechanical part injuries.

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• Guarding Methods– Interlocked barrier guards.– Fixed barrier guards.– Awareness barrier devices.– Presence sensing devices.– Emergency stops.

– Audible and visible warning systems.

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• Guarding Methods (continued)

– Interlocked barrier guards.• Physical barrier around robot work envelope

incorporating gates equipped with interlocks which will stop automatic operations when opened.

– Fixed barrier guards.• A permanent fence requiring tools for removal.

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• Guarding Methods (continued) – Awareness barrier devices.

• Defines a safety perimeter intended to prevent inadvertent entry into the work envelope.

– Presence sensing devices.• Detect a person stepping into a hazardous area near a

robot.

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• Guarding Methods (continued)

– Emergency stops.• Dangerous robot movement is arrested by dynamic

braking systems rather than simple power cut-off to counteract the effect of robot inertia.

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• Guarding Methods (continued)

– Audible and visible warning systems.• Not acceptable safeguard methods but may be used to

enhance effectiveness of positive safeguards.

– Control devices.• Located outside the robot work envelope.

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• Installation, Maintenance and Programming– Installed in accordance with manufacturer’s

guidelines and applicable codes.– Verify compatibility with environmental conditions.– Power to robot conforms to manufacturer’s

specifications.– Robot is secured to prevent vibration movement

and tip over.– No additional hazards are created.

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• Worker Training and Supervision• Managers.• Operators.• Engineers.• Programmers.• Maintenance personnel.• Bystanders.

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• Worker Training and Supervision (continued)

– Safe operation.– Maintenance.– Emergency procedures.

• Shut down controls.• Inspection of safeguards.

– Disciplinary action.– Working with teams.– Proper attire.

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• Conclusion– Keeping well informed of these guidelines and

risks signifies employers’ commitment to the safety and health of their employees.

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