Chapter Meeting

Topic: Risk Assessment based upon Robotics Industry Association Standard (R15.306)

In 2014, the Robotics Industry Association (RIA) published RIA TR R15.306 (Technical Report for Industrial Robots and Robot Systems – Safety Requirements – Task-based Risk Assessment Methodology).  The document was updated in 2015, then again in 2016.  The risk assessment methodology in this document is an excellent tool for robotic safety risk assessment.  Although written specifically for robotics, it can be easily adapted for use for other machine safety hazards.

Using the methodology of TR R15.306-2016, the user: 1. Calculates the initial risk of injury due to a potential hazard; 2. Selects risk reduction measures; then 3. Calculates the residual risk (i.e., the risk remaining after risk reduction measures are taken). While the document does not indicate so explicitly, once initial risk is determined and risk reduction measures are selected, the residual risk is essentially fixed.  The purpose of this presentation is to: describe and explain the methodology of TR R15.306-2016; and explain how the combination of initial risk and risk reduction measures fixes the residual risk, thus simplifying the determination of residual risk, and avoiding errors. 

Speaker: Gary J. Garrahan, CHMM, CMSE®, Manager, EHS – Machine Safety – The Wonderful Company EHS

$13 per person, Cash/Check/Credit/debit cards accepted/$5 Student Members of ASSE/$5 Emeritus Members of ASSE