A framework for assessment of impact of exoskeletons on safety and performance of construction workers

点击翻译按钮获取中文摘要

Labour is one of the most crucial and flexible resources in Canadian industry sectors such as construction and maintenance. Labour operations in construction involve physically demanding motions and tasks and awkward postures that can lead to significant risks of musculoskeletal injuries. Such injuries not only impact the quality of life of the workers but also impose substantial costs on employers. The annual impact of work-related musculoskeletal injuries on the Canadian economy is estimated to be $20 billion. Therefore, the development of strategies to reduce the risk factors such as loads exerted on the worker's body can significantly benefit the Canadian construction industry. One of the emerging technologies aiming to reduce the risk of work-related musculoskeletal injuries is the exoskeleton, a wearable robot that supports the user's body by reducing physical demands from the body. However, most available exoskeletons have limitation for their long-term use in versatile and dynamic industry sectors, and there is a lack of exoskeletons designed, evaluated, and implemented for most tasks in several industry sectors such as construction and maintenance. This project aims to develop a novel systematic process for adopting and implementing exoskeletons on a task-specific basis to reduce the risk of work-related musculoskeletal injuries in the Canadian construction and utility maintenance industry. Together with our industry partners, we will characterize the usability and effectiveness of exoskeletons in injury prevention through biomechanical and ergonomic analysis and in-lab and in-field experimental evaluation. Then, we will recommend the specification of industrial exoskeletons to reduce the risk of work-related musculoskeletal injuries for high-risk tasks construction and utility maintenance industry.This project will reduce the economic burden on the Canadian construction industry and healthcare system, provide new market opportunities for Canadian industry in the field of biomechatronics and ergonomic assessments, and train further experts to promote the health and safety of workers.