Abstract
Safety issues of industrial robots are analyzed based on labour accidents in order to reconsider the execution of the ordinance on Industrial Safety and Hygiene (ISH). The analysis shows that accidents are most commonly caused by human access to the working area of robots for the purpose of maintenance and inspection. The fact is reviewed by a comparative study of safety requirements for robots between Industrial Standards (JIS) and ISH. The study reveals a disparity in technical protective measure. The feasibility of regulations by ISH is argued considering this disparity. A questionnaire is given to the robot manufacturer and user in order to investigate the difference of those provisions as a problem. This paper proposes the following recommendations concerning ISH. (1) The manufacturer or system integrator shall provide information about residual risk from robots and their implementation. (2) Regulations need to be changed in accordance with the development of robot technology. (3) Requirements by ISH need to ensure consistency with those of JIS.
