Assessing the Efficacy of Passive Exoskeletons for Construction Work: Lab-Based Study

This project aims to assess the effectiveness and acceptability of four types of commercial Back support exoskeletons (BSEs) for concrete work tasks. BSEs are external wearable devices designed to reduce physical demands on the back by providing assistive moments to body joints to support muscles. There is considerable evidence to suggest such exoskeletons reduce the risks of back injuries for workers performing repetitive tasks. However, since the effects of using BSEs in concrete work tasks are still unknown, evidence-based information regarding effectiveness, productivity impact, and safety risks is required to help industries adopt BSEs as an ergonomic intervention.