How dangerous are robotics to workplace safety, really?

https://www.ishn.com/articles/109779-how-dangerous-are-robotics-to-workplace-safety-
really

Robots are becoming increasingly popular in workplaces around the globe, especially
cobots, the machines designed to work next to humans. But when considering
implementing any technology, it's essential to keep safety at the forefront.

What possibilities exist for robots malfunctioning and hurting people or otherwise
compromising worker well-being?

Human error could play a role in accidents

Robots are smart, but they almost always need humans to program them for tasks. Those
people could make mistakes that lead to unintended consequences. That possibility may be
present in the thousands of liability claims associated with Intuitive Surgical and its Da
Vinci surgical robot.

In one of the cases involving an incident in Washington State, allegations say that Intuitive
Surgical did not provide proper training for a surgeon that used the technology. Other cases
discuss internal organ damage, which could happen due to user mistakes. It's essential to
realize that the Da Vinci system never operates independently, but gets guided by surgeons
using foot pedals, joysticks and a viewer.

Another incident at a German Volkswagen plant involved a worker who died when a
robot pushed him against a metal plate. Notably, the robot operated in a cage. Volkswagen
believes the situation occurred because of human error since the worker was inside the cage
when it happened.

Robots bring many pros and cons to workplaces, especially concerning enhanced labor
output and increased consistency. But benefitting from the advantages requires ensuring
workers have the knowledge needed to use the machinery safely and confidently.

The reasons for catastrophes are not always easy to pinpoint

Anyone who has ever set foot in a busy factory probably remembers the flurry of activity
characterizing it. All those things going on at once make it challenging to find out what
happened when robot-related accidents occur.

Such was the case when a maintenance technician at a car parts plant had her skull fatally
crushed by a robot. A lawsuit associated with the matter mentions that several safety
mechanisms failed, but it's unclear how the robot entered that work area. Also, the woman's
colleagues found her after the incident happened, so it could be impossible to find out what
went wrong.
With that information in mind, companies need to take proactive approaches to maintain
safety even if equipment malfunctions. Plus, simple additions — like using safety tape on
the floor to designate safe zones — could minimize problems.

Robot-caused deaths are extremely rare — and new tech should make them even less
likely

Despite the examples of events mentioned above, data collected by OSHA reveals that
there have been only 40 incidents of injuries or deaths related to robots in the workplace.
That's likely in part due to existing standards that evolve along with robotic technologies,
including those that require workers to stay a safe distance from active robots.

Many of the tasks robots handle involve duties that are dangerous, dirty or dull for workers.
In other scenarios, they help workplaces deal with labor shortages. Forecasts say the
welding industry will deal with a 290,000-person shortage by 2020. However, robotic
welding equipment helps fill labor gaps, keeping productivity levels high and reducing the
likelihood of humans making errors due to fatigue.

Companies are also working to improve robots that could boost safety even if things go
wrong. One example is Cobotect, a company implementing airbags for robots, thereby
protecting people from sharp components that could otherwise cause harm. Demonstrations
involved robots colliding with people who walked away from the scene without injuries
afterward.

Other enterprises are working on sensors that make robotic equipment stop if it comes too
close to humans. There's also ongoing research to find out what speed constitutes a lethal
force for robots working around humans.

Robots used to safeguard humans and animals

Some robots keep both humans and animals safe. Cargill recently developed a robotic cattle
driver that it uses to move cows instead of relying on humans to do it. The machine mimics
the arm-waving movements people use to herd cattle, and it allows operators to talk to the
creatures to encourage them to move.

This technology protects workers from cows that weigh more than 1,000 pounds. The robot
should improve animal welfare by reducing stress caused by human contact too.

Safe use of robots requires following best practices

As explained above, robots don't often hurt humans. They should, then, be considered safe
to use in workplaces and could save humans from engaging in risky work.

But even the smartest robots could fail if companies don't learn how to use them safely and
pass on that knowledge to employees. Investing in some of the new technology mentioned
above may promote safety as well.