PhotoRobot Safety
Instructor-only material. Not published to academy.photorobot.io public site (per
_meta.yaml._published_training_notes: false).
Delivery context
Safety is unusual among Academy modules — it must be delivered to every cohort, and the cohort’s role doesn’t change the content much. The same safety baseline applies to Operators, Studio Managers, Network Specialists, Hardware Specialists, and Integrators. What changes is emphasis, not content.
- For Operators: emphasize daily-use safety (no touching during movement, working envelope awareness, what to do if something feels wrong).
- For Studio Managers: emphasize escalation chain, incident logging, and ownership of the studio’s safety culture.
- For Network Specialists: lighter touch — they’re not physically operating most of the time, but they need to know not to step into the working envelope while diagnosing network issues.
- For Hardware Specialists: deepest emphasis — they’re the ones installing, servicing, and re-leveling. Spend extra time on Sections 3 (installation) and 4 (electrical).
- For Integrators: lightest touch — they work in software. But cover Section 2 (roles) so they know not to authorize themselves to physical adjustments.
The single most important thing to convey: safety is not about following rules to satisfy someone else. It’s about stopping when uncertain. Cultivate the habit.
Time allocation (45-min standard)
| Min | Topic | Format |
|---|---|---|
| 0-3 | Why this module is mandatory + the “stopping” habit | Talk |
| 3-8 | Roles & responsibilities (Section 2) | Talk + reference Section table |
| 8-15 | Installation safety (Section 3) | Talk + photos / live point-out of common installation features |
| 15-22 | Electrical safety (Section 4) — the longest topic | Talk + show rating plate live, demo correct plug handling |
| 22-28 | Use safety + service vs. user maintenance (Sections 5, 6) | Talk |
| 28-32 | Children & vulnerable adults (Section 7) — read in full, no shortcuts | Talk |
| 32-38 | Information labels + Control Unit G7 reference (Section 8) | Show live device label, identify components |
| 38-42 | “When to stop” triggers (Section 9) | Discussion — open Q “have you ever wanted to stop and didn’t?” |
| 42-45 | Q&A | Discussion |
Workbook in separate block (15-30 min): Exercises 1 (authority check), 2 (electrical hazard spotting), 4 (service vs. user maintenance), 5 (stop the line). Exercise 3 (working envelope) is optional for non-HW roles; emphasize for HW Specialist track.
Live demo points
When delivering in PhotoRobot Studio (or Your Studio with hardware present):
- (at minute 8-15) Walk to the installed device. Point at the device, the Control Unit, the supply cord, the mains plug, the rating plate. Have students physically locate each on the device. This is the “where things are” moment that text alone can’t deliver.
- (at minute 15-22) Demonstrate the press Control Unit switch first, then unplug sequence. Then deliberately demonstrate the WRONG way (pull the cable) and explain why it damages the cord. Make the visual contrast memorable.
- (at minute 22-28) Run a short sequence on the device. Mid-sequence, ask “is it safe to approach now?” Wait for “no” from the class. Confirm. Stop the sequence. Ask “now?” If the device has stopped moving but is still powered, the answer is still no — power down before approaching.
- (at minute 32-38) Pull up the rating plate on the installed device. Read it together. Have students identify voltage and amperage. Cross-check with the room’s electrical supply.
If delivering online without hardware access, use:
- Photos of installed devices (request from PhotoRobot Studio Praha if needed)
- Video clip of correct vs. incorrect plug handling
- Sample rating plate image with annotated callouts
Common mistakes / misunderstandings to anticipate
“We’re not industrial — these rules are overkill”
Some students (especially those coming from amateur photography or small studios) think the safety procedures are excessive for their context. Reframe: PhotoRobot devices are industrial equipment regardless of where they’re installed. The safety procedures don’t relax in a small studio — they become more critical because there’s typically less spatial separation between operator and equipment, and less supervisory backup.
“First installation by authority? But I’m capable…”
Mechanically experienced customers sometimes push back on the “authority only” rule for first installation. Reframe: the authority’s job is not just mechanical assembly. It includes:
- Verifying delivery completeness (parts inventory)
- Site readiness check (power, LAN, ceiling, floor)
- Initial calibration and alignment
- Warranty activation
- Training opportunity for the customer’s team to learn the system
Skipping authority installation voids warranty in most contracts. The cost-benefit is not in the customer’s favor.
“What if there’s no time to call support — production deadline!”
Address this head-on (Exercise 5 scenario in workbook). Reframe: production deadlines do not override safety. The cost of one delayed shipment is recoverable. The cost of equipment damage, operator injury, or insurance dispute is not. Customers and managers respect operators who stop the line correctly — they fire operators who continue past a safety trigger and cause damage.
“Children — but my studio has no children”
This section is not just about literal children. The legal language (“children 8+”, “adults with reduced capabilities”, “lacking operational knowledge”) covers many real visitors: clients touring the studio, contractors fixing the HVAC, family members visiting an operator after-hours, journalists doing a piece on the studio. All of them are “lacking operational knowledge”. The rule extends.
“Damaged supply cord — only the outer sheath, surely fine?”
This is a real temptation. Reframe: insulation damage is binary in safety terms. Either the insulation is intact (safe) or it is not (replace before next use). There is no “only the outer layer” — the outer layer IS the insulation barrier between mains voltage and the user.
Q&A anticipation
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“How do I report a safety incident?” Answer: Every studio should maintain an incident log. Document: date, time, device, symptom, action taken, photo / video if safe. Then escalate via the studio’s PhotoRobot support agreement (PWS or direct distributor). Module B25 Troubleshooting covers the diagnostic side of incidents; this module covers the safety side.
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“Who is liable if I follow procedure but something still goes wrong?” Answer: Defer to the studio’s insurance and the customer’s contract. PhotoRobot’s warranty covers manufacturer defects. Operator following procedure is in the strongest legal position. Operator deviating from procedure is exposed. The procedure exists to protect both equipment and operator.
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“Why is the working envelope of the Robotic Arm V8 specifically 32 cm and 0-90°?” Answer: Those are the mechanical movement ranges of that specific device design. Different devices have different envelopes — the Carousel 5000 has a much larger envelope, the Cube Compact has a smaller one. Always reference the device-specific manual for the envelope of equipment you’re operating.
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“What if the rating plate is unreadable due to wear?” Answer: Stop. Request a replacement label from the distributor or manufacturer. Do not operate a device whose ratings cannot be verified. This is a real risk in long-running installations (5+ years) where labels can fade.
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“Can I open the Control Unit to check fuses myself?” Answer: No. Fuse replacement is service. Authority only. The temptation to “just check” is high, but opening the housing without the correct procedure exposes you to electrical hazard and voids warranty.
Workbook discussion plan
After the 45-min textbook block, allocate 15-30 min for workbook discussion:
| Min | Exercise | Format |
|---|---|---|
| 0-5 | Exercise 1 (authority check) — round-robin | Open discussion |
| 5-12 | Exercise 2 (electrical hazard spotting) — 5 scenarios discussed as group | Group review |
| 12-17 | Exercise 4 (service vs. user maintenance) — quick verbal check | Quick Q&A |
| 17-22 | Exercise 5 (Stop the line) — full scenario discussion, ideally with student volunteer playing operator role | Role-play discussion |
| 22-25 | Exercise 6 (pre-flight checklist) — diagnostic | Quick check |
Exercise 3 (working envelope) for HW Specialist track is in a separate session block (~15 min) — usually combined with B13 Mechanical Assembly module.
Diagnostic — is the student ready for B03 / B04 / B05?
Before the student moves on, check Exercise 6’s seven checkboxes. If they can’t tick all seven, they’re not ready. Options:
- Common case: student needs to re-read Sections 2 and 4 specifically — those carry the most rules to internalize.
- Less common: student doesn’t take safety seriously enough (this is rare in industrial customers, more common in startup-style or freelance students). Have a 1:1 conversation about culture and consequences. If the conversation does not land, do not certify them at any later level.
Materials needed
Before delivering B02, have ready:
After the session
Notes for refresh / repeat delivery
If you’re re-teaching this module to the same group (refresh-course path), shorten significantly:
- Skip Sections 1, 7 entirely (assumed retained)
- Spend most time on Section 4 (electrical) — that’s where slipping habits show
- Walk through Exercise 5 (stop the line) again — these scenarios are the diagnostic of whether safety culture is alive in the studio
A refresh delivery of B02 takes 20 minutes, not 45.