If you’re a manufacturer adopting collaborative robots, you want your fleet to be as safe as possible for humans working nearby.

After all, “collaborative” doesn’t mean foolproof — although that’s a common misconception.

This guide takes you through the collaborative robot safety standards to help you make informed decisions. 

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We’ll cover: 

• Key safety standards for collaborative robots
• Types of collaborative robot safety measures
• Common challenges in collaborative robot safety
• Risk assessment and hazard analysis
• Best practices for implementing safety standards

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Let’s get started.

What are collaborative robot safety standards?

Investing in collaborative robots (cobots) can be a huge win for your productivity and throughput. It’s an all-around smart move, but you should still keep safety as priority #1.

Let’s take a look at collaborative robot safety standards keeping your employees safe:

• Stringent guidelines make sure cobots play nice. International safety regulations like ISO 10218 and ISO/TS 15066 spell out the requirements for collaborative robot design, protective measures, and risk assessments. You don’t want to cut corners here. 
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• Mandatory safety functions keep people out of harm’s way. Every cobot must have emergency stops, hand detection sensors, speed and separation monitoring systems in place. 
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• Extensive risk assessments tag potential hazards. Before any cobot can get to work, manufacturers must evaluate every possible unsafe situation and implement foolproof safety controls. 

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Essential robotic safety standards

You want to make sure your collaborative robots meet all the necessary safety standards. But even though the main priority is keeping your employees safe, you also have to think about compliance to avoid costly fines or shutdowns. 

Let’s take a look: 

• ISO 10218: This covers safety requirements for industrial robots, addressing key hazards like crushing, impact, trapping and more. Its detailed technical specs are a must for any serious robot deployment.
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• ISO/TS 15066: This is the first safety standard specifically for collaborative robot applications where humans and robots work side-by-side. It provides requirements for safe design, protective measures and information for use. Mind that this is not an international standard, and more in the realm of the technical specification — not mandatory for compliance. 
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• RIA R15.06: Finally, we’ve got an industrial robot safety standard from the Robotic Industries Association (RIA) in the United States. It harmonizes with ISO 10218 and outlines safety requirements for industrial robot systems and cells.

Types of collaborative robot safety measures

There are several measures in place to help you make sure your cobot is safe around people. 

Let's explore the most common safety features: 

• Power and force limiting: The idea is to cap the robot's force output, so even if contact happens, it won't cause injury. The cobot senses forces and adjusts accordingly to remain within safe limits.
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• Speed and separation monitoring: This feature allows the robot to operate at higher speeds when no human is within its workspace. If a person enters the guarded area, it slows down to a safer speed. 
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• Hand-guiding: This technique (present only in some cobots) lets an operator manually guide the robot by leading it through programmed paths. This allows safe, close collaboration during operations like machine tending.

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Common challenges in cobot safety

You've taken all the necessary steps to ensure your cobot installation meets the latest safety standards. But as operations ramp up, you may encounter some unexpected (and headache-inducing) issues. 

Here are three common pitfalls to watch out for:

• Not doing regular risk assessments. Safety standards evolve, and your cobot environment changes over time. Failure to reassess risks as conditions shift could create dangerous blind spots.
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• Human-robot boundaries get blurred. Even with proper training, workers may inadvertently cross into off-limits areas when focused on other tasks. Robust monitoring and active safety measures are a must.
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• Complacency with changing standards. New technical specifications for cobot safety are issued frequently.
  
  Neglecting to adapt your facility accordingly can leave you out of compliance — and in a vulnerable spot, which is exactly what you want to avoid.  

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Conducting risk assessment to maximize cobot safety

We don’t want to be repetitive, but it begs repeating: You don't want to overlook any risks that could endanger workers or damage equipment.

Here’s what you want you’ll want to do: 

• Leave no stone unturned: Walk through every single step of your cobot's routine like you're a detective on a case. Look for any sneaky pinch points, crushing dangers, or areas where workers could accidentally stumble into the robot's personal space.
  
  Don't forget to check out those environmental factors, too — poor lighting, excessive noise, or unexpected obstacles can all spell trouble. 
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• Rank the risks: Not all hazards are created equal. Some are mere annoyances (bumps), while others could cause serious harm (high-speed impacts, trapping, entanglement).
  
  Evaluate the severity and probability of each risk you've identified. Give it a rating based on how likely it is to happen and the potential consequences.
  
  The higher the score, the more attention it needs. You can think about it as a sort of triage system. 
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• Layer up your safety net: Once you know the score, it's time to build as many safety measures as you can. Start with the most serious risks and work your way down.
  
  Physical barriers, sensors, emergency stops, and comprehensive training programs are all part of the toolkit.
  
  The higher the risk, the stronger your defense should be. By the way, this could also mean including your workers in the risk assessment process. 

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Best practices for implementing collaborative robot safety standards

You’ve put in the money, time, and effort to get yourself a cobot in the endless search for more productivity. Now, you need to enact proper safety protocols to prevent accidents and protect your workforce. 

Don't let cobot safety be an afterthought by following these guidelines: 

• Design safe workspaces: Create designated areas for cobots, clearly marked and equipped with safety features like barriers, emergency stop buttons, and warning lights. But it doesn't stop there.
  
  Consider factors like floor markings, adequate lighting, and clear signage to guide human movement and ensure visibility around the cobot's workspace.
  
  Regularly assess the workspace layout for potential blind spots or pinch points, especially as your production needs evolve.
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• Train your team: Don't just throw your team into the robot rodeo without a lasso. Comprehensive training is key. Make sure everyone working with cobots receives thorough instruction on safety protocols, operation procedures, and emergency response measures.
  
  And don't forget about refresher courses! Even seasoned experts can benefit from a reminder of best practices now and then.
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• Keep things in tip-top shape: Cobots, like any machine, need a little bit of attention. Schedule regular safety audits and maintenance checks to catch any potential hazards or malfunctions before they turn into a real headache.
  
  This includes inspecting wiring, checking for loose bolts, and ensuring all safety features are functioning as intended.
  
  Your cobot will thank you with smooth and safe operation after you give it its regular tune-up.
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• Build safety into the design: When choosing a cobot, don't skimp on safety features.
  
  Look for models with built-in safety measures like force limitations (so they don't accidentally crush anything... or anyone), collision detection (like a robotic sixth sense), and speed restrictions (because nobody wants a runaway robot).
  
  These features create a safer work environment where humans and robots can coexist peacefully.

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Summing up

By following the collaborative robot safety standards in this guide, you can harness the full potential of these high-end robots while keeping everyone safe. 

In the end, the whole thing comes down to patience, preparation, and vigilance. 

But the main takeaway is that if you stay informed, are proactive, and work safely, cobots can absolutely be safe for humans to work with. 

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Next steps

Looking to up your game with a next-gen cobot? RO1 by Standard Bots is the solution you've been searching for. This adaptable six-axis robot is the perfect teammate for businesses of all sizes, from startups to industry giants.

• Budget-friendly automation: RO1 offers top-notch performance at half the price of other robots, making automation accessible to everyone.
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• Work smarter, not harder: RO1's 18 kg payload and impressive accuracy mean faster, more precise work, boosting your productivity and output like never before.
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• Brainpower meets manpower: RO1 isn't your average robot. It's equipped with advanced AI, comparable to GPT-4, so it can learn and adapt to your specific tasks. And with its user-friendly interface, you don't need an engineering degree to operate it. 
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• Safety first, always: RO1 is designed to work safely alongside your team, thanks to its smart sensors and state-of-the-art visual systems.
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Ready to see RO1 in action? We're happy to schedule a risk-free, 30-day trial so you can experience firsthand how RO1 can transform your business.