Regulatory clarity expected for collaborative robots in workplaces

The Health and Safety Executive has committed to developing clearer regulatory guidance for collaborative robots—'cobots'—in workplace environments, following rapid growth in adoption across manufacturing, logistics, facilities and service sectors. Unlike traditional industrial robots, cobots are designed to work alongside people without full guarding, raising new questions about risk assessment, training and supervision. The HSE intervention is intended to give employers confidence that they can innovate safely within existing health-and-safety law.

For fleet workshops, depot operations and mobile-service businesses, cobots offer potential to automate repetitive tasks such as parts picking, tyre handling, battery installation and vehicle cleaning. Adoption is still nascent in the fleet sector, but logistics and parcel operators are already deploying cobots for load sorting and van packing. As labour shortages persist and wage inflation continues, automation will become a more attractive option for businesses managing high-volume, low-margin operations.

Employers considering cobots must conduct thorough risk assessments, ensure proper training and maintain clear protocols for human-robot interaction. Collaborative does not mean unsupervised: you remain responsible for the safety of workers, contractors and visitors. Insurance, maintenance and software updates must all be factored into the business case. Seek advice from trade bodies, safety consultants and equipment suppliers before committing capital.

Bluepoppy helps clients think about the future shape of fleet and depot operations, from EV infrastructure and connected data to automation and flexible resourcing. Our Fleet Cost Review looks at the total cost of running vehicles and support operations, helping you identify where technology, outsourcing or process change can improve efficiency and reduce risk. If you are exploring automation or other operational changes, we can help you model the costs and benefits alongside your fleet investment decisions.

Bluepoppy view: Automation is coming to depots and workshops—plan carefully, assess risk properly and keep people at the centre.

Source: FMJ — summarised and written from a Bluepoppy perspective. We don’t reproduce the original article.