A Multidisciplinary Approach to Urgent Car...

Robot Kills Contractor at Volkswagen Plant

Human error to blame in worker death at German factory

Thu, Jul 2, 2015

BERLIN (AP) — A robot has killed a contractor at one of Volkswagen's production plants in Germany, the automaker said Wednesday.

The man died Monday at the plant in Baunatal, about 100 kilometers (62 miles) north of Frankfurt, VW spokesman Heiko Hillwig said.

The 22-year-old was part of a team that was setting up the stationary robot when it grabbed and crushed him against a metal plate, Hillwig said.

He said initial conclusions indicate that human error was to blame, rather than a problem with the robot, which can be programmed to perform various tasks in the assembly process. He said it normally operates within a confined area at the plant, grabbing auto parts and manipulating them.

Another contractor was present when the incident occurred, but wasn't harmed, Hillwig said. He declined to give any more details about the case, citing an ongoing investigation.

German news agency dpa reported that prosecutors were considering whether to bring charges, and if so, against whom.

Copyright 2015 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

RECENT ARTICLES

	Medical Helicopter Crashes in Colorado, Pilot Killed Flight-for-Life pilot killed, flight paramedic and flight nurse injured in crash near Frisco.
	Dolphin Leap Fractures Woman’s Ankles Family was watching as dolphins swam alongside the boat when one landed on woman.
	Latest Shark Attack Breaks North Carolina Record Patient suffered wounds to ribcage, lower leg, hip and hands.
	Thousands Evacuated from Tennessee Train Derailment Approximately 5,000 people flee their homes near Maryville after a CSX train crash.
	141 Dead in Indonesia Plane Crash C-130 was trying to return to the airport due to engine problems before it crashed.
	One Dead, Three Injured in Maryland Boat Race Crash Racing boat crashed into a crowd of onlookers off Kent Island.