risk assessment

• Design process for any robot

  Risk assessment of potential hazards
• Most injuries occur not during normal operation but during times when human interaction is most prevalent
• Protecting the robot's work envelope

  1. Programming

  2. Testing

  3. Inspection

  4. Repair
• Robots rarely need human interaction during normal use and operation
• Unauthorized access to the robots work envelope can be hazardous to personnel
• Awareness devices


  • Define the work envelope and make personnel aware of the hazards
  • Do not prevent access
• Guarding methods


  • Prevent unauthorized access to the work envelope
• Fixed barrier method


  • Fence or wall around the work area
  • Configured to prevent access through over or around without a special key or access code
• Presence sensing devices


  • Detect the entry of a person into a hazardous area and slow or stop the robot
• Presence sensing devices


  • Pressure mats
  • Safety light curtains
• Single beam photoelectric safety switch

  • Work in the same way as a light curtain but have only one beam of light
  • Can be useful for preventing unplanned or surprise access to the work area
  • May not stop a determined person from gaining unauthorized access
• Control panel design


  • Located outside of the work envelope but within sight of the robot
  • Emergency stops should be located in all zones where needed
• If the proper safety measures are used, robots can be a highly efficient safe way to accomplish work