Square Robot, Inc. has received the 2026 NIOSH Prevention through Design (PtD) Award for its SR-3 submersible inspection robot and Side Launcher deployment system, recognizing their role in eliminating the need for personnel to enter confined storage tank spaces during inspection.
The award was presented to Square Robot at the National Safety Council (NSC) Safety Congress & Expo in Indianapolis, Indiana, on September 15, 2026.
SR-3 Robot Recognized for Eliminating Confined Space Entry
The NIOSH PtD Award recognizes solutions that follow the hierarchy of controls by eliminating workplace hazards through design rather than relying on procedures or personal protective equipment.
Square Robot’s SR-3 and Side Launcher were recognized for applying this principle to above-ground storage tank inspection. The submersible SR-3 robot is designed to inspect tanks while they remain on-stream, eliminating the need for shutdown, product removal, tank cleaning and personnel entry into the tank.
The Side Launcher enables the robot to be deployed and retrieved through a floating roof tank’s shell manway, further reducing the need for personnel to enter hazardous spaces.
Both systems have also been independently certified by FM Approvals for use in hazardous locations, with the SR-3 certified for Class I Division 2 and the Side Launcher for Class I Division 1 applications.
“When we designed SR-3, the goal was not to make confined space entry safer. The goal was to eliminate the need for it,” said Amy Underwood, Vice President of Hardware Engineering at Square Robot. “If a robot can perform the inspection, we can remove people from those hazards altogether. That principle guided the design of SR-3 from the beginning, and it’s what makes this recognition especially meaningful to us.”
NIOSH PtD Award Recognizes Safety Through Design
Established in 2021, the NIOSH PtD Award recognizes companies, individuals and public agencies for eliminating or reducing workplace hazards through engineering and design.
The award is jointly administered by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), the American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA), the American Society of Safety Professionals (ASSP) and the National Safety Council (NSC).
Each organization independently reviewed and scored the nominations submitted for the award, with Square Robot’s nomination receiving the highest score among this year’s entries.
Robotic Inspection Supports Hazard Elimination
Square Robot’s recognition highlights the use of robotic inspection technology as a means of removing workers from hazardous inspection environments rather than simply introducing additional controls for personnel working within those environments.
The SR-3 performs submersible inspection of above-ground storage tanks, while the Side Launcher provides a deployment and retrieval mechanism designed to keep personnel outside the tank during the inspection process.
Amy Underwood accepted the 2026 NIOSH PtD Award on behalf of Square Robot during the NSC Safety Congress & Expo in Indianapolis.
Reference: https://squarerobot.com/resources/news/square-robot-wins-niosh-award
