Robot Demonstration Safety Policy

As of January 1, 2022

In the interest of safety, Society for Laboratory Automation and Screening (SLAS) management requires all exhibitors displaying robots in their booth maintain safe equipment displays and demonstrations in accordance with the following rules and regulations:

1. All demonstrations involving any moving and potentially hazardous robots, machines, displays, materials or parts, or machines posing a hazard and/or biohazard must be contained within a “hazard zone” as specified within these regulations to prevent bystanders from accidentalinjury.

2. “Hazard zone” is defined as a safe area of reasonable size providing a reasonable impediment and/or space between bystanders and any moving and potentially hazardousdisplays. This zone must fit within the limits of contracted space and not bleed into aisles or adjacent booths.

3. Exhibitors shall provide a “hazard zone” containing the overall work blanket of all robots in motion. The “overall work blanket” is defined as the area within the maximum reach of all the robot’s moving components regardless of the intended robot program or motion. Moving robot componentsincludethearms,frame,hoses,wires,or anyotherportionoftherobotthatarenot fixed and/or possess the ability to be inmotion.

4. Exhibitors should plan for adequate viewing of all demonstrations from within their exhibit area. All equipment and the “hazard zone” must be encompassed within the booth and a reasonable and safe distance from any traffic aisle. Keep in mind that aisles are to be used as passageways, not areas for people to congregate while watchingdemonstrations.

5. Robot equipment demonstrations that involve moving parts or pieces that are not permanently fixed in the robot’s grippers or tool/parts holder(s) must be encompassed within a “hazard zone” that is sufficient to prevent those moving parts or pieces from striking bystanders if accidentally released during presentation or malfunction.

6. Automated exhibits should always use nontoxic materials and non-biological materials. If toxic or biological materials are used for demonstration purposes, the materials should be in closed containers such as closed tubes, or sealed microtiter plates. If th demonstration requires open containers, the demonstration must be in such fashion that the operators or visitors are in no instance exposed to thesample.

7. Demonstrations should always be supervised bya representative of the manufacturer who can stop the demonstration in case of an emergency; and

8. Exhibitors must be fully insured against personal injury and property damage in conjunction with their exhibits.

Although the safety record within the SLAS exhibit hall is free of any serious accidents or injuries, there is always a possibility of injury when dealing with industrial equipment, and this possibility should be carefully considered before planning any demonstration involving moving parts.

SLAS exhibit management will tour the floor to verify compliance with these rules and regulations. If violations are discovered, the exhibitor will be asked to modify their exhibit to comply with the above and address SLAS exhibit management’s concerns. Failure to comply may result in an involuntary correction at the exhibitor’s expense or a demand by SLAS exhibit management that the exhibit remains a static display for the duration of the show or, if necessary, removal of the subject exhibit.