Ensure safety with palletizing robots
A worker was struck and killed by a palletising robotic arm when he entered the operating area of the machine in Worksafe Victoria. The worker was trying to fix a problem with the palletising machine, when he was struck and killed by a robotic arm. The interlock system installed to stop the arm moving when the gate is opened failed to work.
After this incedent, the company has now released a safety solution. According to WorkSafe Victoria, companies should consider enclosing palletising machines with a fence high enough to prevent workers from entering the area. They should also ensure the interlocking mechanism is failsafe. The interlocking system should have two switches to ensure one remains operational if the other fails.
As an alternative practice, one can turn off the palletising machine prior to entering the machine enclosure, ensuring the guarding enclosure is operational, regularly tested and maintained, regularly inspecting and testing the interlocking mechanism on the gate and proper training.
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