It is permissible to enter a robot work cell when the robot is running in automatic as long as a safe working distance is kept from the moving robot.

• A. True
• B. False
• C. Only with a safety interlock
• D. Only during maintenance

Answer: (B)

Entering a robot work cell while the robot is running in automatic is not allowed, even if you think you can stay a safe distance away. In automatic mode the robot is following a programmed path and could start moving again at any time due to a fault, a sensor signal, or a restart. A kept distance does not guarantee safety because motion can be faster than a person can react, the arm can pass through the distance you thought was safe, and tools or payloads can create unexpected hazards. Relying on space alone ignores the fundamental safeguard principle: access should be blocked or the robot must be in a zero-movement state before a person enters.

Practically, that means you should not be in the cell while the robot is active; you enter only after the robot is stopped and energy sources are isolated, with appropriate safeguarding in place (guards, interlocks, e-stop, or lockout/tagout as required). Even during maintenance, the same rule applies—entry should occur only under controlled conditions that guarantee no movement and no unexpected restart.