How Robots Contribute to a Safer Workplace

We talk a lot about how robotics can help facilities improve efficiency, cleanliness and worker satisfaction. But something we’ve really only mentioned in passing is the marked impact that robotic automation can have on workplace safety. This topic deserves a closer look. 

 

While robotics has numerous implications for increased safety within potentially high-risk industries such as heavy manufacturing, mining, and oil and gas, our company’s robotic solution development focuses on the facilities management field—whether those facilities are hospitals, schools, retail spaces, entertainment venues, transportation hubs, or distribution centers. These are spaces where you probably won’t encounter industrial robotic arms or remote-controlled HAZMAT robots, but will find groups of dedicated EVS, janitorial and other facilities management professionals increasingly working side by side with specific types of service robots that make their jobs easier. Robots like autonomous floor cleaning robots, delivery robots, visitor assistance robots, and disinfection robots.

 

It’s within these settings that robots improve worker safety in numerous ways:

 

Many cleaning tasks involve repetitive movements, but none more so than floor cleaning. The hunched posture and back-and-forth movements associated with manual or even machine-aided floor cleaning make custodial workers particularly susceptible to ergonomic injuries, and housekeeping staff have been found to have high rates of musculoskeletal injuries due to the physically demanding and repetitive nature of their work. When some of the biggest culprits of repetitive strain (vacuuming, sweeping, mopping) can be automated with robots, janitorial workers are more likely to enjoy a full range of movement through varied tasks, reducing injury. 

 

Similarly, indoor delivery robots can take over the heavy lifting involved in transporting supplies around a facility, preventing back strain and reducing the fatigue that comes with traversing a facility numerous times each day.

 

Dust and biological contaminants are a key contributor to poor indoor air quality (IAQ) within buildings, and carpet (even commercial carpet) is a known reservoir for these sources when not cleaned properly and regularly. Commercial carpet is frequently found in “institutional” settings such as schools and assisted living facilities which are utilized by populations more susceptible to poor IAQ. And even carpet-free facilities such as warehouses tend to accumulate large amounts of dust and debris due to the type of products stored, the activities of on-site or adjacent manufacturing operations, open bay doors, or all of the above.

 

Consistently clean, allergen-free floors go a long way towards improving indoor air quality for all facilities, and autonomous floor cleaning robots are an ideal tool to make this a reality. Their outstanding cleaning ability, advanced filtration systems, and consistent operation mean that facility floors are cleaned to the highest standard. And when floor cleaning is automated, custodians can redirect their efforts towards deep cleaning, surface disinfection, and other tasks that have a big impact on the safety and hygiene of any building.

 

Exposure to various chemicals present in cleaning products is a daily reality for custodial and facility management workers. Numerous studies have found higher rates of asthma among cleaning and maintenance workers compared to other occupational groups. Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) found in cleaning products, such as formaldehyde, benzene, toluene, ammonia, sodium hypochlorite and chlorine, plus chemicals present in fragrances like phthalates, alcohols and synthetic musks can all irritate the respiratory tract and cause both acute and chronic health effects.

 

Autonomous robots can help reduce these exposures in a couple of ways. Advanced floor cleaning robots, for instance, limit a custodian’s contact with cleaning solution concentrates thanks to self-maintenance technology that allows them to replenish themselves with fresh water and cleaning solution using a specialized docking station. These high-tech machines are also incredibly efficient, reducing the need for chemical cleaning agents in general. Autonomous disinfection robots use a combination of UV-C and human-safe ultrasonic dry mist to disinfect surfaces, reducing the need for manual “spray and wipe” approaches that expose workers to noxious fumes. 

 

It’s no surprise that facilities that cater to the public need to be keenly aware of preventing slips and falls to not only protect their customers and visitors, but also safeguard their liability. But facilities of all stripes must also protect their own employees from these risks. Slips and falls are the leading cause of workers’ compensation claims and are also the main cause of occupational injury for people aged 55 years and older. According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), floors and flooring materials contribute directly to more than two million fall injuries each year.

 

So how can autonomous floor cleaning robots help prevent this slippery scourge? According to Occupational Health & Safety magazine, “A significant number of slip and fall injuries that are caused by problems with the walking surface are due to floors that are wet or have a dry contaminant, such as sand, dirt, or another granular material on them.” Floor cleaning robots tackle the presence of any type of floor contaminant by operating continuously if needed, ensuring that spills or dirt aren’t left sitting long enough to trip up unsuspecting passersby. 

 

The article also notes that “improperly cleaning floors…can contribute to walking surface problems ranging from loss of slip-resistant properties and premature wear to a slippery build up that reduces traction and decreases the aesthetic value of the surface by allowing dirt to accumulate.” Once again, floor cleaning robots save the day due to their very design. Because they have been programmed and built to clean floors with exacting precision, there is no risk that they will use too much cleaning solution (leaving unwanted residue) or water (leaving slick spots). Each cleaning run is perfectly calibrated to produce optimal results, resulting in safe, clean floors 100 percent of the time.

 

While facilities management is the backbone of any healthy building or facility, it can sometimes feel like a thankless job. Custodial and maintenance work can be physically demanding, repetitive, and often hazardous. Autonomous robots now have the ability to take on the most monotonous, straining, and even risky tasks that facilities personnel are faced with. Being able to offload some of the “dull, dirty, dangerous” work promotes a better work environment not only physically, but psychologically, as workers feel more valued, freer to focus on a variety of tasks, and even encouraged to upskill in order to operate and manage robotic fleets. And, as shown, the presence of these robotic helpers also contributes to a safer workplace overall, making their incorporation into facility operations a big win for everyone.

 

Are you interested in learning more about boosting workplace productivity and safety through robotics? Get in touch with our experts today!