Exoskeletons for Commercial Dungeness Crab Fishing to Reduce Musculoskeletal Injuries

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Abstract This proposed research will evaluate technology not yet used in commercial fishing with potential to improve the health and safety of fishermen. The Dungeness crab fishery is one of the most valuable fisheries in the west coast and suffers from a high prevalence and incident rates of both fatal and non-fatal injuries. Previous research suggests that most injuries occur with deckhands while handling fishing gear and these tasks posed substantial physical risks for musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) in the low back and shoulders. Hence, interventions that reduce such physical stress should be a critical focus in crab fishing. Passive exoskeletons have been recognized as a potential technology solution to reduce the high physical risks in various industry. Despite the growing body of evidence, little research has evaluated the feasibility and biomechanical effects of exoskeletons for commercial fishing. Therefore, this proposed study will systematically evaluate exoskeletons and identify potential barriers and opportunities associated with exoskeleton use in commercial fishing. The successful study results will provide documented benefits/limitations and applicability of exoskeletons for commercial fishing. This study will provide important stakeholders including exoskeleton manufacturers with critical design factors to improve the design, usability, and applicability of exoskeletons for commercial fishing.