The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is drafting guidance on how ‘collaborative robots’ (cobots) can work safely alongside humans.

The HSE is working with the Regulatory Innovation Office (RIO) to provide companies across all business sectors with clarity on regulatory requirements.

The regulator will also partner with Automate UK and the Manufacturing Technology Centre to create practical guidance. The first stage, launching this summer, will deliver regulatory clarity for cobots.

Andrew Curran CBE, director of science and chief scientific adviser at the HSE, said: “We recognise how guidance and advice can give employers the confidence to innovate safely and provide a platform for new technology to improve productivity and enable growth.

“We understand that despite there being no barrier to adoption in health and safety law [to use robots alongside humans], there is a fear of non-compliance, which is limiting adoption. Therefore, we are committed to working with the Regulatory Innovation Office and industry partners to deliver the first joint HSE and industry guidance on the use of cobots to address this barrier and improve business confidence.”

Robots on the rise

The HSE’s move is timely. Two months ago, Tilbury Douglas began site trials of its robot, Douglas. Mark Buckle, technical director at Tilbury Douglas, told CM about the safety concerns that had to be addressed, given that Douglas weighs around 35kg. “It’s no different to bringing in autonomous diggers. We’ve really got to think outside the box when it comes to safety,” he said.

Buckle works closely with Tilbury Douglas’s safety team to hone risk assessments appropriately, including how to make Douglas more visible – this might involve a beacon or simply painting the robot in a highly visible colour. “It’s safety-led. Whenever you trial any technology, safety is paramount.”