Exoskeletons for Commercial Dungeness Crab Fishing to Reduce Musculoskeletal Injuries

摘要 这项拟议的研究将评估尚未用于商业捕捞的技术，并有可能改善 渔民的健康和安全。敦刻内斯蟹业是西部最有价值的渔业之一。 在沿海，致命性和非致命性伤害的发生率和发生率都很高。以前的研究 表明大多数渔工在处理渔具时受伤，这些任务造成了很大的伤害。 腰背部和肩部肌肉骨骼疾病(MSD)的身体风险。因此，干预措施 减少这种身体压力应该是捕捞螃蟹的关键重点。被动的外骨骼已经被 被公认为降低各行业高物理风险的潜在技术解决方案。尽管 越来越多的证据表明，很少有研究评估外骨骼的可行性和生物力学效应。 用于商业捕鱼。因此，这项拟议的研究将系统地评估外骨骼并确定 与商业捕捞中使用外骨骼有关的潜在障碍和机会。成功的研究 结果将提供外骨骼用于商业捕鱼的有据可查的益处/局限性和适用性。这 研究将为包括外骨骼制造商在内的重要利益相关者提供关键的设计因素，以 改进商业捕鱼外骨骼的设计、可用性和适用性。

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.