Robot Safety Standards ISO 10218 and ISO/TS 15066 for Safer Human-Robot Collaboration

Presented by Amindus Consulting and Solutions

Robots are becoming common partners in workplaces, factories, and even daily life. As these machines work alongside humans, safety becomes a critical concern. Without clear safety rules, accidents can happen, risking injury and damage. This is where robot safety standards like ISO 10218 and ISO/TS 15066 play a vital role. They provide guidelines to design, assess, and maintain safe robotic systems, especially when humans and robots share the same space.

This post explains why safety and compliance matter in robotics, explores the key features of these standards, and shares best practices for risk assessment in robotic environments. Understanding these standards helps businesses and engineers create safer workplaces where humans and robots collaborate effectively.

Industrial robot arm working safely near human operator

Why Safety and Compliance Matter in Robotics

Robots can perform repetitive, heavy, or dangerous tasks with precision and speed. However, their power and speed can also cause harm if not properly controlled. Injuries from robot collisions, crushing, or unexpected movements are real risks in robotic workplaces.

Safety and compliance ensure:

• Protection of human workers from injury

• Prevention of costly downtime due to accidents

• Legal adherence to workplace safety laws

• Trust and acceptance of robots in human environments

Without clear safety standards, companies face liability issues and risk losing worker confidence. Safety standards provide a framework to manage these risks systematically.

Overview of ISO 10218 and ISO/TS 15066

ISO 10218: Safety Requirements for Industrial Robots

ISO 10218 is the foundational international standard for industrial robot safety. It has two parts:

• Part 1: Requirements for the robot itself, including design, construction, and protective measures.

• Part 2: Requirements for the robot system and integration, covering installation, operation, and maintenance.

This standard focuses on traditional industrial robots that operate in fenced or segregated areas. It defines safety functions such as emergency stops, protective guards, and safe speed limits.

ISO/TS 15066: Collaborative Robot Safety

ISO/TS 15066 complements ISO 10218 by addressing collaborative robots (cobots) that work directly alongside humans without physical barriers. It provides detailed guidance on:

• Risk assessment specific to human-robot collaboration

• Safe speed and force limits for robot movements near humans

• Types of collaborative operation modes (e.g., power and force limiting, speed and separation monitoring)

• Testing methods to verify safety limits

This technical specification helps manufacturers and users design cobots that minimize injury risk while maximizing productivity.

Robot hand with sensors interacting safely with human hand

Best Practices for Risk Assessment in Robotic Environments

Risk assessment is the foundation of safe robot deployment. It identifies hazards, evaluates risks, and implements controls to reduce risks to acceptable levels. Here are practical steps:

1. Identify Hazards

• Pinpoint all possible sources of harm, such as robot movements, pinch points, electrical hazards, and environmental factors.

• Consider all phases: installation, operation, maintenance, and emergency situations.

2. Analyze Risks

• Evaluate the likelihood and severity of injury from each hazard.

• Use data from previous incidents, manufacturer information, and expert judgment.

3. Implement Risk Reduction Measures

• Apply engineering controls like physical barriers, safety-rated sensors, and emergency stops.

• Use administrative controls such as training, procedures, and warning signs.

• Adjust robot speed, force, and workspace layout to minimize risk.

4. Verify and Validate

• Test safety functions and controls under real conditions.

• Use ISO/TS 15066 guidelines to measure forces and pressures during human-robot contact.

• Document results and update risk assessments regularly.

5. Continuous Monitoring

• Monitor robot performance and safety systems during operation.

• Train staff to recognize hazards and respond to safety issues promptly.

How These Standards Ensure Safe Human-Robot Collaboration

Human-robot collaboration offers many benefits, including flexibility and efficiency. However, it requires careful safety management. ISO 10218 and ISO/TS 15066 help by:

• Defining collaborative operation modes that control robot behavior near humans. For example, power and force limiting mode restricts the robot’s force to safe levels.

• Setting maximum allowable forces and pressures during contact, based on biomechanical data, to prevent injury.

• Recommending safety-rated sensors and monitoring systems that detect human presence and adjust robot actions accordingly.

• Providing testing protocols to verify that robots meet safety limits before deployment.

• Encouraging risk assessments tailored to specific tasks and environments, ensuring safety measures fit real-world conditions.

By following these standards, companies can design robotic systems that protect workers while enabling close cooperation.

Collaborative robot arm working safely beside human operator in manufacturing cell

Practical Examples of Robot Safety Standards in Action

• Automotive assembly lines use ISO 10218 to design robot cells with physical barriers and emergency stops, preventing accidental human entry during robot operation.

• Electronics manufacturers deploy cobots under ISO/TS 15066 guidelines, limiting robot speed and force to safely assist workers with delicate assembly tasks.

• Research labs apply these standards to test new collaborative robots, measuring contact forces to ensure compliance before human trials.

  
  

These examples show how safety standards translate into real-world protections.

Robot safety standards like ISO 10218 and ISO/TS 15066 provide clear, practical guidance for creating safer robotic environments. They help identify risks, define safe operating limits, and verify safety measures. Following these standards supports safer workplaces, reduces accidents, and builds confidence in human-robot collaboration.

For anyone working with robots, understanding and applying these standards is essential. Start by conducting thorough risk assessments, implement recommended safety controls, and regularly review safety performance. This approach ensures that robots remain valuable partners without compromising human safety.