Protocol for Assessing Human Robot Interaction Safety Risks

Details

• Journal Article:
  Protocol for assessing human-robot interaction safety risks
• Personal Author:
  Nnaji, Chukwuma ; Gambatese, John ; Okpala, Ifeanyi
• Description:
  Robotics and automation (RA)-such as exoskeletons, drones, and single-task construction robots (STCRs) -offer new possibilities to combat challenges facing the construction trades, including unsafe and dangerous working conditions. Despite RA's potential positive impacts, human-robot interaction (HRI) can introduce new hazards on the job site and elevate the potential impact of existing hazards. While some studies have assessed the effectiveness of RA technologies, none have evaluated the safety risks associated with implementing RA in the construction industry. There is also no HRI safety risk assessment protocol to assist practitioners conducting pre-task planning that involves RA. This study developed a practical process and tools for practitioners to identify and quantify HRI safety risks when using RA in construction operations. Both the process and the tools could help reduce RA safety risks, increase the RA adoption, and improve construction safety performance. Key Findings The main products of this study are: A practical process for assessing and controlling HRI safety risk. The evaluation process comprises: Safety Data Sheets (SDS) on the use of wearable robots (exoskeletons), remote-operated robots (e.g., drones and unmanned ground vehicles UGVs), and onsite automated robots (e.g., bricklaying robots). Job Hazard Analysis (JHA) protocols for three tasks: drywall installation, bricklaying, and concrete grinding and polishing. A practical assessment manual containing: Descriptions of available robotics and automation (RA) technologies; Applications of RA technologies; Factors that influence the use of RA technologies; Current standards and procedures for RA. The key findings of this study are: Identification of 40 hazards associated with the use of RA for construction operations. Classification of RA-related hazards into seven groups: Human; Control; Unauthorized Access or Operational Situation Awareness; Mechanical Concerns; Environmental Sources; Power Systems; and Improper Installation. Development of safety risk ratings for critical hazards in three categories of RA technologies (wearable robots, remote operated robots, and onsite automated robots) when used for three construction tasks (bricklaying, concrete grinding and polishing, and drywall installation). Identification of 22 preventive strategies for mitigating HRI safety risks during construction. Description provided by NIOSH
• Subjects:
  • Automation
  • Construction Industry
  • Ergonomics
  • Occupational Health
  • Risk Assessment
  • Safety
  • Safety Management
• Keywords:
  • Construction industry; Robotics; Automation; Safety monitoring; Emerging technology; Wearable technologies; Risk management; Exoskeletons
• Source:
  Silver Spring, MD: CPWR-The Center for Construction Research and Training, 2021 Sep; :1-76
• Series:
  CPWR - Center for Construction Research and Training Publications
• Document Type:
  Text
• Funding:
  production of this document was supported by cooperative agreement OH 009762 from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• Genre:
  Guidance
• Place as Subject:
  Alabama ; Maryland ; Oregon ; OSHA Region 10 ; OSHA Region 3 ; OSHA Region 4
• CIO:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• Topic:
  Workplace Safety & Health
• Location:
  North America
• Pages in Document:
  78 pdf pages
• NIOSHTIC Number:
  nn:20067603
• Federal Fiscal Year:
  2021
• NORA Priority Area:
  Construction
• Performing Organization:
  CPWR - The Center for Construction Research and Training, Silver Spring, Maryland
• Peer Reviewed:
  False
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/145622/cdc_145622_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 2.97 MB]
• Collection(s):
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:48d1c20d65f46abf0d4424708b6d0c3a333ec9ccaf41becdedf41ebe1d07c99c3c319aa413bc5a2becf61df975d8b6d522bb898ebdf4f66734a1bf7071dca448