(Translation of German Websites)
Although increasing industrial robot installations in Germany the number of occupational accidents at industrial robots remains on low level. As published by the German Occupational Health and Safety Insurance (DGUV) 89 occupational accidents at industrial robots have been reported to DGUV in 2023 according to the DGUV reporting regulations* in comparison to e.g. 23,899 occupational accidents at stationary machines (Source: DGUV).
Further, the number of industrial robot installations in Germany raises. According to International Federation of Robotics ifr.org the stock of industrial robots in Germany increased from 2014 until 2023 from 176,000 to 269,000. Within this context application of industrial robots primarily aims at more production efficiency. However, robots also relieve from heavy and hazardous work. Another benefit of robot application is pulling back human from direct process hazards. Therefore, also from OSH perspective industrial robot use should be interesting.
Not least, this situation is also the result of a high safety level of industrial robot systems. The determination of a worldwide safety standard for industrial robots already began in the 1980s by publication of the ISO 10218. This development has been continued consequently. The present EN ISO 10218-1 and EN ISO 10218-2 are even listed at the Official Journal of the EU. By this, the robotic experts are able to use a comprehensive technical code.
* Work loss of more than 3 days
