Keywords
Citation
(2001), "HSE issues revised guidance on industrial robot safety", Industrial Robot, Vol. 28 No. 2. https://doi.org/10.1108/ir.2001.04928bab.006
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2001, MCB UP Limited
HSE issues revised guidance on industrial robot safety
HSE issues revised guidance on industrial robot safety
Keywords: Health and safety, Robots, Safety
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) issued revised guidance dealing with the safety of industrial robots.
This, the first revision of Industrial Robot Safety (HSG43), was first published in 1988. The guidance will assist designers, manufacturers, suppliers and users concerned with the application of industrial robots in setting up safe robot systems and safe working methods.
The guidance takes account of advances in technology but no new technical requirements for safeguarding robots have been introduced. However, there have been significant changes since 1988 in health and safety legislation and in the availability and voluntary use of international and harmonised European standards.
It recommends ways of safeguarding certain types of robot system which are compatible with advice provided in such standards. Where standards do not yet exist, the recommendations are based on sound engineering judgement and experience.
The guidance is principally concerned with fixed industrial robots of the teach and playback type which use pendant controls for the teaching function. The range of uses for such robots is being widened, but most are used for welding, painting, assembly tasks, machine loading/unloading and palletising. Some parts of the guidance provided are also relevant to other types of robot and to mechanical handling machines of the pick and place type.
Copies of Industrial Robot Safety (HSG43), ISBN 0-7176-1310-0, price £13.50, can be ordered online at http://www.hsebooks.co.uk or are available from HSE Books, PO Box 1999, Sudbury, Suffolk CO10 2WA (UK). Tel: +44 (0) 1787 881165; Fax; +44 (0) 1787 313995. HSE priced publications are also available from all good bookshops.