Associate Safety Professional Practice Exam

What is most common concerning mishaps involving industrial robots?

1. They occur primarily outside of the robot's workspace

2. Most accidents occur within the primary zone of the robot

3. Operators have little to no training

4. All mishaps are due to mechanical failure

The correct answer is: Most accidents occur within the primary zone of the robot

Mishaps involving industrial robots most commonly occur within the primary zone of the robot. This area is defined as the space where the robot is programmed to operate and interact with other elements of the work environment, including human workers. The reason for this trend is that the primary zone is where the robot's activities, such as loading, unloading, programming, or maintenance tasks, are executed. When individuals enter this zone, they may inadvertently put themselves at risk if proper safety measures, such as safety protocols and barriers, are not in place. In contrast, the other options relate to aspects that may not accurately reflect the typical situations seen in industrial robot mishaps. For example, mishaps do not typically occur primarily outside of the robot's workspace since the most dangerous interactions usually happen close to or directly involving the robot's operational range. Additionally, while training is crucial for safety, the assertion about operators having little to no training does not encompass the industry's focus on enhancing safety through comprehensive operator training programs. Lastly, while mechanical failures can contribute to accidents, they are not the sole cause of all mishaps in industrial robotics; human factors and operational errors often play significant roles as well. Therefore, the emphasis on accidents occurring within the primary zone underscores the critical need