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Upcoming CPWR Webinar: Evaluation of Trunk- and Arm-Support Exoskeletons for Construction
Dr. Carisa Harris, Asst. Professor, Univ. of California, San Francisco/Berkeley;
Director, UC Ergonomics Research Program Dr. Maury Nussbaum, Professor, Virginia Tech;
Director, Occupational Biomechanics & Ergonomics Program
As highlighted by CPWR, the rate of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) in construction in 2016 was 11% higher than that for all industries due to risk factors associated with overexertion, including lifting/lowering, carrying, hand tool use, and static non-neutral postures. Exoskeletons (EXOs) combine human intelligence with machine power to augment the physical capacity of the wearer and may have an enormous, beneficial impact on construction workers. However, introducing EXOs without a comprehensive understanding of construction stakeholders and the effects of using EXOs can lead to poor adoption and use in practice and unintended consequences. This webinar will provide an overview of an exciting research project that will evaluate trunk and arm support exoskeletons in construction by understanding the promoters and barriers to the acceptance of EXOs by stakeholders and assessing the safety, effectiveness and efficacy of EXOs for targeted construction tasks.