DEATH BY ROBOT: SAFETY ISSUES IN AUTOMATED PLANTS

The National Institute for Occupational Safety & Health (NIOSH) investigated a fatal accident involving a robot. Based on findings from this investigation, general safety recommendations have been identified. Some preventive recommendations pertaining to design, management, and supervision of ro...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Business and society review (1974) 1985-07 (54), p.56-59
Main Authors: Collins, James W, Sanderson, Lee M, McGlothlin, James D
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Accidents
Accidents, Industrial
Automation
Design
Occupational hazards
Occupational safety
Robots
Work stations
Online Access:Get full text
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Summary:The National Institute for Occupational Safety & Health (NIOSH) investigated a fatal accident involving a robot. Based on findings from this investigation, general safety recommendations have been identified. Some preventive recommendations pertaining to design, management, and supervision of robotic workstations include: 1. The company should have a clearly written robotics safety policy. 2. Training for specific robots should be provided for programmers, operators, and maintenance workers well in advance of actual work with the robot. 3. Careful attention should be given to safe and efficient design of the robot workstation itself. 4. Only authorized employees should be allowed near the robot and its work envelope. Finally, managers should realize that operators monitoring automated tasks may become bored, overconfident, or lose concern for safety.
ISSN:0045-3609
1467-8594