Who we are
Our website address is: https://cobotservices.co.uk. We are a technology company that combines Humans, Robots & Social Media as an entity!
- Introduction
This policy outlines the safety procedures and guidelines for the use of collaborative robots (cobots) to ensure a safe working environment for all employees, visitors, and contractors. All personnel must understand and adhere to these guidelines to prevent accidents and injuries.
- 2. Policy Statement
The company is committed to providing a safe workplace. The use of cobots is based on the principle of human-robot collaboration, where the safety of the human operator is the highest priority. All cobot systems will be installed, operated, and maintained in compliance with relevant international and national safety standards, such as ISO 10218, ISO/TS 15066, and local regulations.
- 3. Roles and Responsibilities
Management: Responsible for providing necessary resources, ensuring compliance with safety standards, and approving all cobot installations and modifications.
Cobot System Integrator/Manufacturer: Responsible for the safe design, installation, and initial risk assessment of the cobot system.
Safety Officer: Responsible for overseeing the implementation and monitoring of this policy, conducting regular safety audits, and investigating all incidents.
Supervisors: Responsible for ensuring that all personnel under their supervision are trained, follow safety procedures, and report any unsafe conditions or incidents.
Operators: Responsible for understanding and following all safety procedures, using cobots as instructed, and immediately reporting any hazards or malfunctions.
- Pre-Deployment and Risk Assessment
A detailed risk assessment must be completed for every cobot application before it is put into operation. This assessment will:
Identify Hazards: Pinpoint all potential risks, including pinch points, sharp tools, unexpected movements, and environmental factors.
Evaluate Risks: Use a risk matrix to determine the severity and probability of each identified hazard.
Implement Control Measures: Apply safety measures to reduce unacceptable risks to an acceptable level.
Key safety features of the cobot and its application must be verified, including:
Power and Force Limiting (PFL): The system must be configured to limit the force and power exerted by the cobot to safe levels.
Speed and Separation Monitoring (SSM): The cobot must be equipped with sensors (e.g., laser scanners, vision systems) that can detect the proximity of a human and automatically reduce speed or stop its motion.
Safety-Rated Monitored Stop: The cobot must be capable of a monitored stop when a human enters the designated workspace.
Hand-Guiding: If applicable, the hand-guiding function must be designed with an enabling device (e.g., a “dead man’s switch”) that requires continuous human input to operate.
- Operational Safety Procedures
Training: All personnel who interact with or work near a cobot must receive comprehensive training, including:
Basic cobot operation and programming.
Understanding the specific risks of the application.
Emergency stop procedures.
Proper use of all safety devices.
Emergency Stops (E-Stops): All cobot workstations must have clearly marked and accessible E-stop buttons that can be easily reached by operators.
Workspace Management: The collaborative workspace must be clearly defined and maintained free of obstacles. Work cell designs should be assessed for potential entrapment hazards.
End-of-Arm Tooling (EOAT): The EOAT must be carefully selected and integrated to minimize risk. Sharp edges, pinch points, and unsecured components must be avoided.
Routine Checks: Operators should perform pre-shift checks to ensure the cobot and its safety systems are in proper working order.
Maintenance: Maintenance and repairs on the cobot system should only be performed by trained and authorized personnel. The system must be locked out/tagged out (LOTO) as required.
- Incident Reporting and Review
All incidents, near-misses, and safety-related concerns must be reported immediately to a supervisor and the Safety Officer. A thorough investigation will be conducted to identify the root cause and implement corrective actions. All incidents and near-misses will be documented and reviewed to improve safety protocols. - Continuous Improvement
This policy and associated procedures will be reviewed annually or whenever there is a change to the cobot system, its tooling, or its operating environment. All personnel are encouraged to provide feedback on safety improvements.
By adhering to this safety policy, we can ensure that cobot technology is used effectively and, most importantly, safely.