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Ordinance on Industrial Safety and Health
Ministry of Labour Ordinance No. 32 of September 30, 1972

Latest Amendments:
Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare Ordinance No. 47 of March 30, 2007
In Japanese

Update : 2008.03.28

Part II Safety Standards

Chapter I Prevention of Dangers Due to a Machine

Section 1 General Standards

Article 101 (Prevention of Dangers Due to a Prime Mover, a Rotating Shaft, etc.)
  • (1) The employer shall provide an enclosure, a cover, a sleeve, an overbridge, etc., for a prime mover, a rotating shaft, a gear, a pulley, a belt, etc., of a machine, which are liable to cause dangers to workers.
  • (2) The employer shall, as regards set-screws and other fixtures attached to a rotating shaft, a gear, a pulley, a flywheel, etc., use those of sunk head type or provide a cover.
  • (3) The employer shall not use a protruded fastener for joining a belt.
  • (4) The employer shall provide a handrail with the height of 90 cm or more for the overbridge set forth in paragraph (1).
  • (5) A worker shall use an overbridge when the overbridge is provided.
Article 102 (Prevention of Dangers Due to Cutoff of a Belt)
  • (1) The employer shall provide an enclosure under the belt for those are located above a passage or a work place and having a distance between pulleys of 3 m or more, width of 15 cm or more and speed of 10 m/ sec or more
Article 103 (Power Cutoff Device)
  • (1) The employer shall provide a power cutoff device of a switch, a clutch, or a belt shifter, etc., for each machine. However, this shall not apply to a series of machines having a common power cutoff device and not requiring manual supply or extraction of raw materials during the process of their operation.
  • (2) The employer shall, when the machine set forth in the preceding paragraph is the one for cutting, drawing, compressing, punching, bending or expressing, provide the power cutoff device set forth in the same paragraph at a place where a person engaging in the said processing work are able to operate it without moving from the work station.
  • (3) The employer shall, as regards a power cut-off device set forth in paragraph (1), provide the one, which is capable to be easily operated and is unlikely to be unexpectedly activated due to contact, vibration, etc..
Article 104 (Signals for Starting Operation)
  • (1) The employer shall, in the case where an operation of a machine is started, and when it is liable to cause dangers to workers, set fixed signals, designate a person who gives the signals and have the said person give the signals to the workers concerned.
  • (2) A worker shall follow the signals set forth in the preceding paragraph.
Article 105 (Prevention of Dangers Due to Flying of Work Pieces, etc.)
  • (1) The employer shall, when it is liable to cause dangers to workers due to flying of cut or broken work pieces, etc., provide a cover or an enclosure for the machine dispersing the said work pieces, etc. However, this shall not apply to the case where providing a cover or an enclosure is difficult due to the nature of the work, and when having a worker use protective equipment.
  • (2) A worker shall, when having been instructed to use personal protective equipment in the case set forth in the proviso of the preceding paragraph, use it.
Article 106 (Prevention of Dangers Due to Flying of Chips, etc.)
  • (1) The employer shall, when it is liable to cause dangers to workers due to flying, etc., of chips from machines, provide a cover or an enclosure for the machine producing the said chips. However, this shall not apply to the case where providing a cover or an enclosure is difficult due to the nature of the work, and when having a worker use personal protective equipment.
  • (2) A worker shall, when having been instructed to use personal protective equipment in the case set forth in the proviso of the preceding paragraph, use it.
Article 107 (Stoppage of Operation etc., in the Case of Cleaning, etc.)
  • (1) The employer shall, in the case where works of cleaning, lubrication, inspection or repairing of a machine (excluding blade parts) are carried out, and when it is liable to cause dangers to workers, stop the operation of the machine. However, this shall not apply to the case where the work has to be carried out during operation, and when taking the measures of providing a cover on dangerous part, etc.
  • (2) The employer shall, when stopped the operation of the machine pursuant to the provision of the preceding paragraph, take the measures of locking the starting device of the said machine, attaching a plate, etc., to prevent a person other than the worker engaging in the work set forth in the same paragraph operating the said machine.
Article 108 (Stoppage of Operation, etc., in the Case of Cleaning, etc of Blade Parts, etc.)
  • (1) The employer shall, when carrying out the work cleaning, inspecting, repairing, replacing, or adjusting of blade parts of a machine, stop the operation of the machine. However, this shall not apply to when it is unlikely to cause dangers to workers because of the structure of the machine.
  • (2) The employer shall, when stopped the operation of the machine pursuant to the provision of the preceding paragraph, take the measures of locking the starting device of the said machine and attaching a plate to prevent a person other than the worker engaging in the work set forth in the same paragraph operating the said machine.
  • (3) The employer shall, when removing chips or using cutting lubricants for the blade part of a machine during operation, have a worker use a brush or other appropriate tools.
  • (4) A worker shall, when having been instructed to use a tool set forth in the preceding paragraph, use it.
Article 109 (Prevention of Dangers Due to a Take-Up Roll, etc.)
  • (1)The employer shall provide a cover or an enclosure, etc., for a take-up roll or a coil of a paper, a cloth and a wire rope, etc., which are liable to cause dangers to the workers.
Article 110 (Wearing of a Work Cap, etc.)
  • (1) The employer shall, when it is liable to hair or clothes of the worker during the work caught in a power-driven machine, have the said worker wear appropriate work cap or work clothes.
  • (2) A worker shall, when having been instructed to wear a work cap or work clothes set forth in the preceding paragraph, wear them.
Article 111 (Prohibition of the Use of Gloves)
  • (1) The employer shall, when it is liable to fingers of the worker during the work caught in rotating blades of a drilling machine or a chamfering machine, not have the worker wear gloves.
  • (2) A worker shall, when having been prohibited to wear gloves in the case set forth in the preceding paragraph, not wear them.

Section 2 Machine Tool

Article 112 (Cover, etc., on Stroke Ends)
  • (1)The employer shall, when the stroke ends of the ram of a shaper, a table of a grinding machine or a planer, etc., are liable to cause dangers to workers, provide a cover, an enclosure or a railing.
Article 113 (Cover, etc., on Work Pieces Protruding from Machine Tool)
  • (1) The employer shall, when a rotating work pieces protruding from a vertical lath, a turret lath, etc., which is liable to cause dangers to workers, provide a cover, an enclosure, etc.
Article 114 (Cover, etc., on Teeth of a Band Saw)
  • (1) The employer shall provide covers or enclosures on the teeth of band saws (excluding woodworking band saws) other than the parts necessary for sawing and the band wheel.
Article 115 (Teeth Contact Preventive Device of a Circular Saw)
  • (1) The employer shall provide a teeth contact preventive device for circular saws, etc. (excluding woodworking circular saws).
Article 116 (Prohibition of Riding on a Table of a Vertical Lathe, etc.)
  • (1) The employer shall not allow a worker to ride on a table of a vertical lathe or a planer during operation. However, this shall not apply when a worker on the table or a worker placed for an operation panel is able to stop the machine immediately.
  • (2) A worker shall, excluding the case set forth in the proviso of the preceding paragraph, not ride on a table of a vertical lathe, a planer, etc., during operation.
Article 117 (Cover on Grinding Wheel)
  • (1) The employer shall, when rotating grinding wheel, which is liable to cause dangers to workers, provide a cover. However, this shall not apply to a grinding wheel with a diameter less than 50 mm.
Article 118 (Test Run of Grinding Wheel)
  • (1) The employer shall, as regards a grinding wheel, make a test run for one minute or longer before commencing the work for the day and for three minutes or longer when replacing a grinding wheel.
Article 119 (Prohibition of Operation of a Grinding Wheel at Speeds Exceeding Maximum Allowable Speeds)
  • (1) The employer shall, as regards a grinding wheel, not operate it at speeds exceeding the maximum allowable speeds.
Article 120 (Prohibition of Use of Side Surfaces of a Grinding Wheel)
  • (1) The employer shall not use the side surfaces of a grinding wheel except for a grinding wheel designed for use of their side surfaces.
Article 121 (Cover on a Buff)
  • (1) The employer shall provide a cover on a buffing machine (excluding the one using a cloth buff or a cork buff) other than the parts necessary for polishing.

Section 3 Woodworking Machine

Article 122 (Anti-Kickback Device for a Circular Saw)
  • (1) The employer shall provide a spreader or other anti-kickback device, etc., for a woodworking circular saw (excluding a cross cut circular saw and others are unlikely to cause dangers to workers due to kickback of the wood).
Article 123 (Teeth Contact Preventive Device for a Circular Saw)
  • (1) The employer shall provide a teeth contact preventive device for a woodworking circular saw (excluding the one for lumber and the one with an automatic feeding device).
Article 124 (Cover, etc., on Teeth or a Band Wheel of a Band Saw)
  • (1) The employer shall provide a cover or an enclosure on the teeth of a woodworking band saw other than the parts necessary for sawing and a band wheel.
Article 125 (Cover, etc., on a Feeding Roller of a Band Saw)
  • (1) The employer shall provide a contact preventive device or a cover on a spiked or a toothed feeding roller of a woodworking band saw excluding the feeding side. However, this shall not apply to those equipped with a quick stop device, which an operator is able to stop the operation of spiked or toothed feeding rollers.
Article 126 (Blade Contact Preventive Device of a Hand Feed Planer)
  • (1) The employer shall provide a blade contact preventive device for a hand feed planer.
Article 127 (Cutters Contact Preventive Device of a Wood Shaper)
  • (1) The employer shall provide a cutters contact preventive device for a wood shaper (excluding the one equipped with an automatic feeding device). However, this shall not apply to the case where providing a contact preventive device is difficult due to the nature of the work, and when having a worker use a jig or a tool.
  • (2) A worker shall, in the case set forth in the proviso of the preceding paragraph, and when having been instructed to use a jig or a tool, use them.
Article 128 (Prohibition of Entry)
  • (1) The employer shall prohibit workers from entering the space between teeth and a log carriage of an automatic log carriage type band saw and display a notice to that effect at a readily visible location .
  • (2) A worker shall not enter a place where entry is prohibited pursuant to the provision of the preceding paragraph.
Article 129 (Appointment of an Operations Chief of Woodworking Machines)
  • (1) The employer shall, as regards the work set forth in item (vi) of Article 6 of the Order, appoint an operations chief of woodworking machines from the persons who have completed the skill training course for operations chief of woodworking machines.
Article 130 (Duties of an Operations Chief of Woodworking Machines)
  • (1) The employer shall have an operations chief of woodworking machines carry out the following matters:
    • (i) To supervise directly the work handling woodworking machine.
    • (ii) To inspect a woodworking machine and its safety device.
    • (iii) To take necessary measures immediately when having found any abnormalities in a woodworking machine and its safety device.
    • (iv) To monitor the use of a jig or a tool during the operation.

Section 4 Press Machine and Shearing machine

Article 131 (Prevention of Dangers Due to a Press Machine, etc.)
  • (1) The employer shall, as regards a press machine and a shearing machine (hereinafter referred to as “press, etc.”), take measures of providing a safety enclosure, etc., for preventing a part of a body of the worker carrying out the work using the said press, etc., from entering the dangerous zone. However, this shall not apply to press, etc., with mechanism to prevent dangers due to a slide or a blade.
  • (2) The employer shall, when it is difficult to comply with the provisions of the preceding paragraph due to the nature of the work, in order to secure the safety of a worker carrying out the work using the said press, etc., take such necessary measures as installation of safety devices as provided for in the followings:
    • (i) The safety device having a performance corresponding to the type of press, etc., pressure capability, strokes/min., length of strokes, and the method of work.
    • (ii) The safety device having a performance corresponding to the stopping performance of the press, etc., for the one with two-hand control system or with sensitive-response system.
  • (3) The measures set forth in the preceding two paragraphs shall, as regards press, etc., equipped with a processing stage changeover switch, an operation changeover switch or an operation station changeover switch or a safety device changeover switch, be taken in any condition when either one of the said switches is operated.
Article 131-2 (Prevention of Dangers Due to Descent of a Slide)
  • (1) The employer shall, in the case where the works of fitting, replacing or adjusting the dies of a power press are carried out, and when a part of the body of the worker engaging in the said work enter a dangerous zone, take such measures as having the said worker use safety blocks, etc., in order to prevent the worker from dangers due to unexpected descent of the slide.
  • (2) The worker engaging in the work set forth in the preceding paragraph shall take measures of using a safety block, etc., set forth in the same paragraph.
Article 131-3 (Adjustment of a Die)
  • (1) The employer shall, when operating a slide for adjusting a die of a press machine, carry out the operations by inching for the one with an inching mechanism or by manually operating for the one without an inching mechanism.
Article 132 (Maintaining of the Functions of a Clutch, etc.)
  • (1) The employer shall maintain the functions of a clutch, a brake and other devices necessary for control of the press, etc., always in effective conditions.
Article 133 (Appointment of an Operations Chief of Press Machines)
  • (1) The employer shall, as regards the work set forth in item (vii) of Article 6 of the Order, appoint an operations chief of press machines from the persons who have completed the skill training course for operations chief of press machines.
Article 134 (Duties of an Operations Chief of Press Machines)
  • (1) The employer shall have an operations chief of press machines carry out the following matters:
    • (i) To inspect a press machine and its safety device.
    • (ii) To take necessary measures immediately when having found any abnormalities in a press machine and its safety device.
    • (iii) To take custody of a key when having equipped a press machine or its safety device with a changeover key switch.
    • (iv) To supervise directly the work of fitting, removing and adjusting a die.
Article 134-2 (Custody, etc., of the Key of a Changeover Key Switch)
  • (1) The employer shall, in the case where works other than those set forth in item (vii) of Article 6 of the Order among works using a power press are carried out, and when providing a changeover key switch for the power press and its safety device, designate a person who takes custody of the key switch, and have the said person take custody of the said key.
Article 134-3 (Periodical Self-inspections)
  • (1) The employer shall, as regards a power press, carry out self-inspections for the following matters periodically once every period within a year. However, this shall not apply to the non-use period of a power press, which is not used for a period exceeding one year:
    • (i) Abnormalities in crankshafts, flywheels and other power transmission devices.
    • (ii) Abnormalities in a clutch, a brake and other controlling system.
    • (iii) Abnormalities in a one-stroke one-stop mechanism, a quick stop mechanism or emergency stop devices.
    • (iv) Abnormalities in a slide, a connecting rod or other slide-related parts.
    • (v) Abnormalities in a magnet valve, a pressure control valve or other air pressure system.
    • (vi) Abnormalities in a magnet valve, a hydraulic pump or other hydraulic systems.
    • (vii) Abnormalities in a limit switch, a relay or other electrical systems.
    • (viii) Abnormalities in a die cushion and its accessories.
    • (ix) Abnormalities in the mechanism for preventing dangers due to a slide.
  • (2) The employer shall, as regards the power press set forth in the proviso of the preceding paragraph, carry out self-inspection for the matters listed in each item of the same paragraph before resuming the operation.
Article 135
  • (1) The employer shall, as regards a power-driven shearing machine, carry out self-inspections for the following matters periodically once every period within a year. However, this shall not apply to the non-use period of a power-driven shearing machine, which is not used for a period exceeding one year:
    • (i) Abnormalities in a clutch and a brake.
    • (ii) Abnormalities in a sliding mechanism.
    • (iii) Abnormalities in one stroke one-stop mechanism, a quick stop mechanism, and an emergency stop device.
    • (iv) Abnormalities in a magnet valve, a pressure-reducing valve and a pressure gauge.
    • (v) Abnormalities in wiring and switches.
  • (2) The employer shall, as regards the shearing machine set forth in the proviso of the preceding paragraph, carry out self-inspection for the matters listed in each item of the same paragraph before resuming the operation.
Article 135-2 (Record of Periodical Self-inspections)
  • (1) The employer shall, when having carried out the self-inspections set forth in the preceding two Articles, record the following matters and preserve the records for three years:
    • (i) The date of the inspection
    • (ii) The method of the inspection
    • (iii) The parts of a machine inspected
    • (iv) The results of the inspection
    • (v) The full name of the person who has carried out the inspection
    • (vi) When measures such as the repair have been taken based on the result of the inspection, their contents.
Article 135-3 (Specified Self-inspections)
  • (1) The self-inspection prescribed by the Ordinance of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare set forth in paragraph (2) of Article 45 of the Act pertaining to a power press (hereinafter referred to as the “specified self-inspection”) shall be the self-inspection prescribed by Article 134-3.
  • (2) The worker who is in possession of the qualifications prescribed by the Ordinance of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare set forth in paragraph (2) of Article 45 of the Act pertaining to a power press shall be the person who falls under any of the following each item:
    • (i) A person who falls under any of the following categories and has completed the training course provided by the Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare:
      • (a) A person who has majored in and graduated from an engineering course of a university or a technical collage accredited under the School Education Act, and has experiences having engaged in the work of checkup or maintenance of a power press for two years or longer or design or manufacture of a power press for five years or longer.
      • (b) A person who has majored in and graduated from an engineering course of a senior high school or a secondary education school accredited under the School Education Act and has experiences having engaged in the work of checkup or maintenance of a power press for four years or longer or design or manufacture of a power press for seven years or longer.
      • (c) A person who has experiences having engaged in the work of checkup or maintenance of a power press for seven years or longer or design or manufacture of a power press for 10 years or longer.
      • (d) A person who has completed the skill training course for operations chief of press machine listed in item (2) of Appended Table 18 of the Act and who has experiences having engaged in the work using a power press for 10 years or longer.
    • (ii) Other persons provided by the Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare.
  • (3) As regards the application of the provision of the preceding Article in the case when having a registered inspection agency set forth in paragraph (2) of Article 45 of the Act (hereinafter referred to as “the registered inspection agency”) implement the specified self-inspection pertaining to a power press, the term “the name of the person who has carried out the inspection” in item (v) of the same Article shall be deemed to be replaced with “the name of the registered inspection agency.”
  • (4) The employer shall, when having carried out the specified self-inspection pertaining to a power press, affix an inspection sticker stating the month and year when the said specified self-inspection was carried out at a readily visible location of the said power press.
Article 136 (Checkup before Commencing the Work)
  • (1) The employer shall, when carrying out the work using press, etc., check the following matters before commencing the work for the day:
    • (i) The function of a clutch and a brake.
    • (ii) The slackness of a bolt of a crankshaft, a flywheel, a slide, a connecting rod and a connecting screw.
    • (iii) The function of one-stroke one-stop mechanism, quick stop mechanism and emergency stop device.
    • (iv) The function of mechanism for preventing dangers due to a slide or a blade.
    • (v) The conditions of a die and a bolster for a press machine.
    • (vi) The conditions of a blade and a table for a shearing machine.
Article 137 (Repair of Press, etc.)
  • (1) The employer shall, when having found any abnormalities in the case when having carried out the self-inspection set forth in Article 134-3 or 135, or the checkup set forth in the preceding Article, immediately repair or take other necessary measures.

Section 5 Centrifugal Machine

Article 138 (Fitting of a Lid)
  • (1) The employer shall provide a lid on a centrifugal machine.
Article 139 (Stoppage of Operation in the Case of Taking Contents Out)
  • (1) The employer shall, when taking the contents out of a centrifugal machine (excluding the one constructed so that the content is automatically taken out), stop the said machine.
Article 140 (Prohibition of Use at Speeds Exceeding Maximum Allowable Rotation)
  • (1) The employer shall, as regards a centrifugal machine, not use them at speeds exceeding their maximum allowable rotating speeds.
Article 141 (Periodical Self-inspections)
  • (1) The employer shall, as regards a power-driven centrifugal machine, carry out self-inspections for the following matters periodically once every period within a year. However, this shall not apply to the non-use period of a centrifugal machine, which is not used for a period exceeding one year:
    • (i) Abnormalities in rotor.
    • (ii) Abnormalities in bearing parts of main shafts.
    • (iii) Abnormalities in a brake.
    • (iv) Abnormalities in an outer frame.
    • (v) The slackness of a bolt used in the parts listed in the preceding each item.
  • (2) The employer shall, as regards the centrifugal machine set forth in the proviso of the preceding paragraph, carry out self-inspection for the matters listed in each item of the same paragraph before resuming the use.
  • (3) The employer shall, when having carried out the self-inspections set forth in the preceding two Articles, record the following matters and preserve the records for three years:
    • (i) The date of the inspection
    • (ii) The method of the inspection
    • (iii) The parts of a machine inspected
    • (iv) The results of the inspection
    • (v) The name of the person who has carried out the inspection
    • (vi) When measures such as repair have been taken based on the result of the inspection, their contents.
  • (4) The employer shall, when having found any abnormalities in the case when having carried out the self-inspection set forth in paragraph (1) or (2), immediately repair or take other necessary measures.

Section 6 Crushing Machine and Mixer

Article 142 (Prevention of Dangers of Falling, etc.)
  • (1) The employer shall, when it is liable to cause dangers to workers due to falling from the opening of a crushing machine or a mixer, provide a lid, an enclosure, a railing with a height of 90 cm or higher, etc. However, this shall not apply to the case where providing a lid, a cover or a railing, etc., is difficult due to the nature of the work , and when having taken measures of having the worker use a safety belt (meaning the safety belt set forth in item (xxviii) of paragraph (3) of Article 13 of the Order; the same shall apply hereinafter), etc., for preventing dangers of falling.
  • (2) The employer shall, when it is liable to cause dangers to workers due to contacting with moving part from the opening set forth in the preceding paragraph, provide a lid, an enclosure, etc.
  • (3) A worker shall, when having been instructed to use a safety belt and other lifelines (hereinafter referred to as “safety belt, etc.”) in the case set forth in the proviso of paragraph (1), use them.
Article 143 (Stoppage of Operation in the Case of Taking Contents Out)
  • (1) The employer shall, when taking contents out of a crushing machine or a mixer (excluding the one constructed so that the content is automatically taken out), stop the said machines. However, this shall not apply to the case where taking out of contents after stoppage of the operations the said machine is difficult due to the nature of the work, and when having a worker use tools.
  • (2) A worker shall, when having been instructed to use a tool in the case set forth in the preceding paragraph, use it.

Section 7 Rolling Mill, etc.

Article 144 (Enclosure, etc., of a Rolling Mill for Rolling Paper, etc.)
  • (1) The employer shall provide an enclosure, a guide roll, etc., for the parts of the rolling mill for passing through a paper, a cloth, a metal foil, etc., which are liable to cause dangers to workers.
Article 145 (Shuttle Guard of a Weaving Machine)
  • (1) The employer shall provide a shuttle guard for a weaving machine equipped with a shuttle.
Article 146 (Cover, etc., on a Drawing Block of a Wiredrawing Machine, etc.)
  • (1) The employer shall provide a cover, an enclosure, etc., for a drawing block of a wiredrawing machine or a cage of strand-twisting machine, which are liableto cause dangers to workers.
Article 147 (Prevention of Dangers Due to an Injection Molding Machine, etc.)
  • (1) The employer shall, when it is likely to cause a part of a body of a worker caught in an injection molding machine, a molding machine or a stamping machine, etc., (excluding those machines prescribed by Section 4 of this Chapter), provide a door, starting device with two-hand control and other safety devices.
  • (2) The door set forth in the preceding paragraph shall be of the construction that the machine does not operate unless the door is closed.
Article 148 (Prevention of Dangers Due to Fans)
  • (1) The employer shall provide a net or an enclosure for fans of which blades are liable to cause dangers to workers.

Section 8 High Speed Rotating Body

Article 149 (Prevention of Dangers During a Rotating Test)
  • (1) The employer shall, when carrying out a rotating test of a high speed rotating body (meaning the rotor of a turbine rotor, a basket of a centrifugal separator, etc., having the circumferential speed exceeding 25 m/sec.; hereinafter the same shall apply in this Section), carry out the test inside of a purpose-built sound building or at place isolated by sound barriers, etc., in order to prevent dangers due to the destruction of the rotating body. However, this shall not apply to the case where a rotating test of the high speed rotating body other than those set forth in the next Article is carried out, and when taking measures such as providing a sound cover in the testing facilities for preventing dangers due to destruction of the said rotating body.
Article 150 (Non-Destructive Test of Rotating Shaft)
  • (1) The employer shall, when carrying out a rotating test of high speed rotating body (limited to the one having rotating shaft with weight exceeding 1 ton and circumferential speed exceeding 120 m/sec.), confirm in advance, that there is no defect, which is liable to cause destruction in its rotating shaft by carrying out non-destructive test corresponding to the material, shape, etc.
Article 150-2 (Implementation Method of a Rotating Test)
  • (1) The employer shall, when carrying out a rotating test of a high speed rotating body, carry out by a method of remote control, etc., which are unlikely to cause dangers to the worker carrying out the work controlling, measuring, etc., of the said test due to destruction of the said high speed rotating body.

Section 9 Industrial Robot

Article 150-3 (Teaching, etc.)
  • (1) The employer shall, when carrying out the work teaching, etc., as regards industrial robots within its movement range, take the following measures in order to prevent the dangers due to an unexpected activation or an operational error of the said industrial robots. However, this shall not apply to the measures set forth in the following item (i) and (ii) when the work carrying out with the power source of the industrial robot turned off.
    • (i) To establish rules for the following matters and have a worker carry out the work by the rules:
      • (a) The method and the procedure for the operation of the industrial robot.
      • (b) The speed of the manipulator in operation.
      • (c) The method of signals in the case when having more than one worker carries out the work.
      • (d) The measures for emergency.
      • (e) The measures for resuming the operation of the industrial robot after its emergency stop.
      • (f) The other necessary measures for preventing dangers due to an unexpected activation or an erroneous operation of the industrial robot.
    • (ii) To take measures in order to enable a worker who engages in the work and a person who oversees the said worker to immediately stop the operation of the industrial robot at emergency.
    • (iii) To take measures of posting a sign on a start switch, etc, of the industrial robot to indicate the industrial robot is in operation while carrying out the operation in order to prevent the persons other than the worker who engages in the operation from operating the said start switch, etc.
Article 150-4 (Prevention of Dangers During Operation)
  • (1) The employer shall, in the case where an industrial robot is operated (excluding when operating the industrial robot for teaching, etc., and where the work prescribed by the next Article has to be carried out during operation), and when it is liable to cause dangers to workers due to contact with the said industrial robot, take necessary measures of providing a railing, an enclosure, etc., for preventing the said dangers.
Article 150-5 (Inspection, etc.)
  • (1) The employer shall, when carrying out the work inspecting, repairing, adjusting (excluding those for teaching, etc.), cleaning or lubrication, or confirmation of these results for an industrial robot within its movement range, take measures of stopping the operation of the industrial robot, locking the start switch while carrying out the said work, posting a sign on a start switch of the said industrial robot to indicate the work is in progress in order to prevent the persons other than the worker who engages in the operation from operating the said start switch. However, this shall not apply to the case where the work has to be carried out during operation of the industrial robot, and when taking the following measures for preventing dangers due to an unexpected activation or an operational error of the industrial robot.
    • (i) To establish rules as to the following matters and to have workers carry out work by the said rules:
      • (a) Method and procedure for the operation of the industrial robot.
      • (b) Method for exchanging signals among the workers where the work has to be carried out by more than one worker.
      • (c) Measures in an emergency.
      • (d) Measures for resuming the operation of the robot after the emergency stop.
      • (e) Other measures necessary for preventing dangers occurring due to unexpected activation or erroneous operation of the robot.
    • (ii) To take measures for enabling workers who engage in the work or a person who oversees the said workers to immediately stop the operation of the industrial robot in an emergency.
    • (iii) To take measures for preventing a person other than the workers who engage in work from touching the selector switch for changing the operating conditions of the robot during work such as posting a sign to indicate that the work are currently in progress to the said selector switch, etc.
Article 151 (Checkup)
  • (1) The employer shall, when carrying out the work teaching, etc., (excluding the one carrying out with power source for the industrial robot is turned off) of the industrial robot within its movement range, check the following matters before commencing the work for the day, and immediately repair or take other necessary measures when having found any abnormalities:
    • (i) Damages to the insulation or sheath of an external cable.
    • (ii) Abnormalities in a manipulator.
    • (iii) Functions of a braking device and an emergency stop device
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