Industrial Robot Injuries: A Growing Concern for Businesses

Industrial robots have become increasingly common in workplaces around the world, and with their growing use comes a growing concern about industrial robot injuries. According to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), nearly 30,000 workers were injured by robots in the United States between 2003 and 2015.

Industrial robot injuries can be serious, and can include:

Amputations

Crush injuries

Lacerations

Fractures

Sprains and strains

Industrial robot injuries can also be fatal. In 2015, a worker at a Ford Motor Company plant in Michigan was killed when he was struck by a robot.

There are a number of factors that can contribute to industrial robot injuries. These include:

Lack of proper training: Workers who are not properly trained on how to operate robots are more likely to be injured.

Improper maintenance: Robots that are not properly maintained are more likely to malfunction, which can lead to injuries.

Lack of safety guards: Robots that are not equipped with proper safety guards can pose a risk to workers.

Businesses can take a number of steps to reduce the risk of industrial robot injuries. These include:

Providing workers with proper training on how to operate robots.

Regularly maintaining robots to ensure that they are in good working order.

Equipping robots with proper safety guards.

Industrial robot injuries can be a serious problem, but businesses can take steps to reduce the risk of these injuries. By following the tips outlined above, businesses can help to keep their workers safe and prevent costly accidents.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

There are a number of common mistakes that businesses make when it comes to industrial robot injuries. These mistakes include:

Not providing workers with proper training: This is one of the most common mistakes that businesses make. Workers who are not properly trained on how to operate robots are more likely to be injured.

Not regularly maintaining robots: Robots that are not regularly maintained are more likely to malfunction, which can lead to injuries.

Not equipping robots with proper safety guards: Robots that are not equipped with proper safety guards can pose a risk to workers.

Not following proper safety procedures: Workers who do not follow proper safety procedures are more likely to be injured.

By avoiding these common mistakes, businesses can help to reduce the risk of industrial robot injuries.

Success Stories

There are a number of businesses that have successfully implemented strategies to reduce the risk of industrial robot injuries. Some of these success stories include:

Toyota Motor Manufacturing (TMM): TMM has implemented a number of safety measures, including providing workers with extensive training, regularly maintaining robots, and equipping robots with proper safety guards. As a result of these measures, TMM has significantly reduced the number of industrial robot injuries at its plants.

Honda Manufacturing of Alabama (HMA): HMA has developed a "robotics safety program" that includes a number of elements, such as providing workers with training, conducting regular safety audits, and using a "buddy system" to ensure that workers are not working alone with robots. As a result of this program, HMA has not had any industrial robot injuries at its plant since 2010.

General Motors (GM): GM has implemented a number of safety measures at its plants, including using "virtual reality" training to teach workers how to operate robots safely, using "laser scanners" to detect workers who are too close to robots, and using "speed limits" to control the speed of robots. As a result of these measures, GM has significantly reduced the number of industrial robot injuries at its plants.

These are just a few examples of how businesses can successfully reduce the risk of industrial robot injuries. By following the tips outlined above, businesses can help to keep their workers safe and prevent costly accidents.

FAQs About Industrial Robot Injuries

1. What are the most common types of industrial robot injuries?

Amputations

Crush injuries

Lacerations

Fractures

Sprains and strains

2. What are the most common causes of industrial robot injuries?

Lack of proper training

Improper maintenance

Lack of safety guards

Lack of proper safety procedures

3. What are the steps that businesses can take to reduce the risk of industrial robot injuries?

Provide workers with proper training

Regularly maintain robots

Equip robots with proper safety guards

Follow proper safety procedures

4. What are some success stories of businesses that have successfully reduced the risk of industrial robot injuries?

Toyota Motor Manufacturing (TMM)

Honda Manufacturing of Alabama (HMA)

General Motors (GM)

Industrial Robot Injuries: A Growing Concern for Businesses