Working safely with robot workers: Recommendations for the new workplace

ABSTRACT

The increasing use of robots in performing tasks alongside or together with human co-workers raises novel occupational safety and health issues. The new 21st century workplace will be one in which occupational robotics plays an increasing role. This article describes the increasing complexity of robots and proposes a number of recommendations for the practice of safe occupational robotics.

KEYWORDS:

• Collaborative robots
• industrial robots
• occupational safety
• risk assessment
• risk mitigation
• service robots
• workers
• workplace

Disclaimer

The findings and conclusions in this report are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the views of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, or the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.