Risk Assessment of Industrial Collaborative Welding Robots: A Critical Review of Methodologies and Limitations

This review presents a comprehensive analysis of the risk assessment of collaborative welding robots in industrial applications that are designed to work alongside human operators, offering potential benefits such as increased productivity and improved worker safety. However, the use of this type of collaboration also introduces new risks, including collision with human operators and exposure to welding toxic hazards. In this paper, we will discuss various approaches for hazard identification and risk analysis through a general examination of the relevant literature on risk assessment methodologies including ISO Standards, the case studies highlight the importance of considering factors such as the robot’s speed and trajectory, welding materials, and the operator’s proximity to the robot, and strategies on how to eliminate the identified hazards or mitigate risks associated with the deployment of collaborative welding robots in industrial settings. This review provides valuable insights for industries or companies aiming to implement collaborative welding robots in their work environments while minimizing the potential hazards or risks associated with their use and ensuring the safety and well-being of their human operators.