Absolute and Relative Frequencies of Automation Accidents at Different Kinds of Equipment and for Different Occupational Groups

Abstract

Accidents where automated production equipment has injured a person (automation accidents) were studied over a 2-year period at 21 plants. The paper reports the absolute and relative frequencies of these accidents for different kinds of automated equipment and for different occupational groups working with them. Length of sick leave following an accident was investigated by kind of installation and occupational group. An estimated 9% of all reported accidents were automation accidents. Over 1 year, such accidents were incurred by 3% of operators of automated equipment and at 4% of the items of automated equipment. The results demonstrate that special attention should be paid to the hazards faced by machine operators, and in the automated conveying or handling of work pieces.