Safety problems related to robots

Abstract

The continuously growing rate of production and use of industrial robots has proved that, in parallel with other implementation aspects, due attention should be paid to problems related to their operational safety. Safety has to be planned and built in at the level of robot workplaces. Although safety problems are encountered by various groups of personnel, it is mainly the programmer and the trouble-shooter who are at risk. There are lacunae in the safety provisions which could be bridged, on the one hand, by developing more appropriate safety equipment and, on the other, by imposing minimal safety requirements upon all robots as well as by giving examples for a safe design of robot workplaces. © 1987.