As industrial robots become more popular, many customers wonder whether robots are safe to implement in their facility. Although an industrial robot will improve the ergonomic conditions in a production area, there is a perception that the robot will create an unsafe work environment. This perception is fueled by the robots open programmability in terms of speed and direction, which appears impossible to control. 

In order to ease concerns, a risk assessment should be performed during the development of the robotic work cell. At each stage of the assessment, individual safety requirements will be identified and the appropriate guarding and safety devices are determined in order to reduce the potential hazards. These requirements should be based off of OSHA and ANSI/RIA  safety standards in order to provide the safest work cell possible.

OSHA identifies 7 potential hazards within robotic work cells:

1. Human Errors

   Human error occurs in day-to-day activity and this is no different with regard to a robotic work cell.  Whether it is programming, preventative maintenance, or teach pendant control, operators have the potential to place themselves in hazardous positions due to over familiarity or lack of knowledge of the robot’s motion path.
    

2. Control Errors

   Errors in the controls software and hardware can lead to hazards within a robotic work cell.  If the controls system faults, the system response may lead to a dangerous working environment if it is closely coupled with human interaction.
    

3. Unauthorized Access

   Access by an unauthorized operator into a safeguarded robotic work cell.  If an operator is unfamiliar with the safety hardware associated with the robotic work cell, they can find themselves in a dangerous and potentially fatal area.
    

4. Mechanical Failures

   During the design and programming stages, mechanical part failure is not always taken into account.  When an unexpected failure occurs, this can lead to a potentially hazardous situation for the operator.
   

5. Environmental Sources

   Outside factors and communication interference can create an undesirable effect on a robotic work cell.  Unsuppressed power surges or power loss can lead to injury if they are not planned for during the initial stages of the project.
    

6. Power Systems

   Power sources that have communication to the robotic cell can be disrupted and lead to undesired actions.  This can produce a release of energy, creating a hazardous environment for an operator.
    

7. Improper Installation

   Any time an industrial robot is installed it is vital to the success of the project and safety of the operators that the system is installed correctly before it is fully operational.  If the robotic work cell is incorrectly setup, future hazards may occur due to variance from the original design.

Although each of these potential hazards can be dangerous, they are each preventable as long as workers are well educated on the robotic system and the robotic integrator has fulfilled all job requirements, including proper installation, programming, and risk assessment.  Any dangers should also be taken into account during the initial design phase and shared as a living document throughout the project life cycle.

As long as these seven potential hazards are addressed early, industrial robots are extremely safe and can help your bottom line.  Before our clients purchase an industrial robotics system, we always encourage them to become familiar with these safety standards and practices, but no matter what robotic integrator you use, ensure they fully understand and are held accountable to these standards.

For more information on industrial robotics systems and safety, please contact us. You can also learn more about preventing robotic hazards in our article "Improve Your Automation System Safety with These 4 Components".

Author: Steven Hogg