Case studies of robots and automation as health/safety interventions in small manufacturing enterprises

Journal Article · 22 August 2022 · Human Factors and Ergonomics in Manufacturing & Service Industries

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/hfm.20971 · OSTI ID:1981412

Lowe, Brian D.  ^[1]; Hayden, Marie ^[1]; Albers, James ^[1]; Naber, Steven ^[2]

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1. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Cincinnati, OH (United States)
2. Ohio Bureau of Workers Compensation, Columbus, OH (United States)

This article reviews the experiences of 63 case studies of small businesses (<250 employees) with manufacturing automation equipment acquired through a health/safety intervention grant program. The review scope included equipment technologies classified as industrial robots (n = 17), computer numerical control (CNC) machining (n = 29), or other programmable automation systems (n = 17). Descriptions of workers' compensation (WC) claim injuries and identified risk factors that motivated the acquisition of the equipment were extracted from grant applications. Other aspects of the employer experiences, including qualitative and quantitative assessment of effects on risk factors for musculoskeletal disorders (MSD), effects on productivity, and employee acceptance of the intervention were summarized from the case study reports. Case studies associated with a combination of large reduction in risk factors, lower cost per affected employee, and reported increases in productivity were CNC stone cutting system, CNC/vertical machining system, automated system for bottling, CNC/routing system for plastics products manufacturing, and a CNC/Cutting system for vinyl/carpet. Six case studies of industrial robots reported quantitative reductions in MSD risk factors in these diverse manufacturing industries: snack foods; photographic film, paper, plate, and chemical; machine shops; leather goods and allied products; plastic products; and iron and steel forging. Furthermore, this review of health/safety intervention case studies indicates that advanced (programmable) manufacturing automation, including industrial robots, reduced workplace musculoskeletal risk factors, and improved process productivity in most cases.

• Research Organization: Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE), Oak Ridge, TN (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE Office of Science (SC)
• Grant/Contract Number: SC0014664
• OSTI ID: 1981412
• Journal Information: Human Factors and Ergonomics in Manufacturing & Service Industries, Journal Name: Human Factors and Ergonomics in Manufacturing & Service Industries Journal Issue: 1 Vol. 33; ISSN 1090-8471
• Publisher: WileyCopyright Statement
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English