Safety in Work CellsSafety in Work Cells

Issues, mechanisms and equipment, Issues, mechanisms and equipment, preventative measurespreventative measures

Accidents in Robotic Work CellsAccidents in Robotic Work Cells Persons struck or pinched by robots while inside Persons struck or pinched by robots while inside

work envelope (through human error in work envelope (through human error in teaching, careless approach, maintenance, or teaching, careless approach, maintenance, or regular operation).regular operation).

Persons struck by objects manipulated, dropped, Persons struck by objects manipulated, dropped, or ejected from work cells.or ejected from work cells.

Persons over-riding safety devices.Persons over-riding safety devices.

Areas of Emphasis to reduce Areas of Emphasis to reduce Robot AccidentsRobot Accidents

1. Safeguarding (Warning) Devices1. Safeguarding (Warning) Devices

2. Personnel Training2. Personnel Training

3. Preventive Maintenance3. Preventive Maintenance

Safeguarding DevicesSafeguarding Devices

Electronic curtains, motion detectorsElectronic curtains, motion detectors Pressure sensitive floor pads Pressure sensitive floor pads Emergency StopEmergency Stop Interlock- electrical circuit switch, removes Interlock- electrical circuit switch, removes

power if openpower if open

Safeguarding Devices:Safeguarding Devices:

Awareness Barriers- physical device/visual Awareness Barriers- physical device/visual indicator (fence, painted lines, signs)indicator (fence, painted lines, signs)

Awareness signals- audible sound/visible Awareness signals- audible sound/visible light devicelight device

Training- operator, maintenance, Training- operator, maintenance, programmerprogrammer

Perimeter Safeguarding – Perimeter Safeguarding – Cell ShieldsCell Shields

Access Prevention Devices – Access Prevention Devices – Light CurtainsLight Curtains

Access Prevention Devices – Access Prevention Devices – Light CurtainsLight Curtains

Access Prevention Devices – Access Prevention Devices – Pressure Sensitive Floor MatsPressure Sensitive Floor Mats

Access Prevention Devices – Proximity Laser SensorsAccess Prevention Devices – Proximity Laser Sensors

Access Prevention/Emergency Stop Access Prevention/Emergency Stop Devices – InterlocksDevices – Interlocks

Emergency Stop Devices – Emergency Stop Devices – Pressure Sensitive EdgesPressure Sensitive Edges

Emergency Stop Devices – Emergency Stop Devices – Pull-Type SwitchesPull-Type Switches

Perimeter Safeguarding – Perimeter Safeguarding – Welding CurtainsWelding Curtains

Perimeter Safeguarding – Perimeter Safeguarding – Retro-Reflective SensorsRetro-Reflective Sensors

Warning Devices – Andon LightsWarning Devices – Andon Lights

Safeguarding the OperatorSafeguarding the Operator

Prevent the operator from being in the robot Prevent the operator from being in the robot work envelope when the robot movingwork envelope when the robot moving

Proper training to handle problemsProper training to handle problems

Safeguarding the ProgrammerSafeguarding the Programmer

When teaching, equipment must be under When teaching, equipment must be under control of programmercontrol of programmer

The robot system can operate at high speed The robot system can operate at high speed under only special operational conditionsunder only special operational conditions

Only programmer allowed in the robot Only programmer allowed in the robot work space when teachingwork space when teaching

Safeguarding Safeguarding Maintenance/Repair Personnel:Maintenance/Repair Personnel:

Do not assume robot movementsDo not assume robot movements Always know where the closest emergency Always know where the closest emergency

stop is stop is Avoid pinch points at all timesAvoid pinch points at all times Know the robot (watch for problems)Know the robot (watch for problems)

Work Cell DesignWork Cell Design Cell operations should be designed to minimize Cell operations should be designed to minimize

human injuryhuman injury Cells should be designed to allow access by Cells should be designed to allow access by

humanshumans Cells should promote visual communication (of Cells should promote visual communication (of

process status, access to emergency stops, and process status, access to emergency stops, and warnings of hazards.warnings of hazards.

Cells should undergo a risk assessment program Cells should undergo a risk assessment program before operating.before operating.

Other Support ArticlesOther Support Articles

Safety Mats ArticleSafety Mats Article Safety Devices ArticleSafety Devices Article Interlock ArticleInterlock Article Light Curtains ArticleLight Curtains Article