REQUIREMENTS FOR THE SAFE OPERATION OF ROBOTS

A) SAFETY GLASSES MUST BE WORN AT ALL TIMES WHEN WORKING WITH THE ROBOTS! Failure to comply may result in dismissal from the lab. The compressed air used in the robots is supplied at high pressure. Also, the robots are capable of rapid moves that can break equipment. Ruptured air lines or demolished equipment are both hazards to unprotected eyes.

B) NEVER PLACE ANY PART OF YOUR PERSON WITHIN THE WORK ENVELOPE OF THE ROBOT WITHOUT FIRST DISABLING THE ROBOT ARM!!

C) Persons caught standing in the work envelope of a robot with an active arm MAY BE DISMISSED FROM THE LAB.

D) The robots are not to be operated without the T.A. or an AML supervisor in the immediate area.

E) WARNING!! The robots have rotating equipment associated with their drive systems. Loose clothing, long hair, personal stereo wires and jewelry may become entangled in rotating equipment leading to serious injury or death! Make certain that such articles are removed or securely fastened to avoid entanglement.

F) It is very easy to become totally engrossed in the programming or in manually aligning the robot. This makes it very important that you always keep in mind where your body is placed and where your coworkers are. In an error situation, the robot can make incredibly rapid and unexpected moves. If you or your coworkers are in the wrong place at the right time, you or they will be in danger of serious physical injury. Pay particular attention that heads are not in the work envelope.

G) Frequently a glue applicator is used in conjunction with the robots. Depending on the material being joined, the adhesive being used may be either a hot melt or a cyanoacrylate (SuperGlue). Each of these adhesives has its own set of hazards. When they are in use, give the robots the extra respect they deserve. REMEMBER, the adhesive dispensers operateunder pressure. Component failure in these systems could result in adhesives being sprayed randomly. Wear your safety glasses.

H) The robots are also frequently used with the various conveyor systems and assembly machines in the lab. Each of these pieces of equipment has moving parts generally activated by compressedair. Because of this, a pinch hazard exists on each of these devices. WATCH WHERE YOU PLACE YOUR HANDS!!

I) A robot is only as smart as the person programing it. If you tell it to move to the wrong point, it will (try) to go there. If a person or object is in the way, damage will be done. -- THE FIRST TIME A PROGRAM IS RUN, DO SO AT A SLOW SPEED. -- NEVER RUN A PROGRAM WITHOUT FIRST CHECKING THE WORK ENVELOPE FOR OBSTRUCTIONS.

J) THE OPERATOR MUST KEEP ONE HAND NEAR THE EMERGENCY SHUT DOWN SWITCH AT ALL TIMES WHEN THE ROBOT IS OPERATING!!

If you do not know how to operate a machine or do not fully understand the instructions you have been given, ask a supervisor until you are certain about what is required. IF YOU DON’T KNOW, ASK!

In signing this statement, I acknowledge that I have carefully read and fully understand the serious nature of working with robots. I also realize that other, undefined hazards will always exist in the machine shop environment therefore, MY OWN SAFETY IS ULTIMATELY MY OWN RESPONSIBILITY.

Signature: ___________________________________

Date: _____________________

Student I.D. #: __________________________

Print Name: __________________________________