Abstract
High rate of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) remains a major concern of practitioners and researchers in the construction industry. Among current developments in automation and robotics, wearable robots (exoskeletons) have gained some traction as a viable tool that could improve construction workers’ safety, health, and productivity at work. However, limited studies have explored the efficacy and effectiveness of existing exoskeletons in reducing risks of WMSD in the construction domain. Also, information on factors that prevent the successful implementation of wearable robots on construction projects is scarce. To bridge this gap, the present study presents the result of a multiphase process aimed at providing an in-depth perception-based evaluation of the capability of commercially available wearable robots. This process comprises of a detailed literature review, insights from an online survey, and usability studies from a lab-simulated construction task. First, 11 wearable robots with potential utility in construction operations were identified followed by a detailed assessment of the potential role these technologies could play in reducing well-established risk factors of work-related musculoskeletal injuries. Also, the authors evaluated the suitability of these robots for construction work involving heavy or repetitive lifting, and prolonged stooped postures, and synthesized the barriers to the acceptance of these robots. Results from the present study indicate that wearable robots could prevent about 60% of construction-related WMSDs impacting the different body regions (lower and upper back, feet and ankle, wrist and hand, and shoulder) and 30–40% of accidents associated with critical WMSD risk factors.
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Acknowledgment
This work was supported by the Pilot/Small Project Research Training Grant #T42OH008436 from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), and the CPWR through NIOSH cooperative agreement OH009762. Its contents are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of CPWR or NIOSH. The grants are administered by CPWR, and the Deep South Center for Occupational Health and Safety at the UAB, School of Public Health.
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Okpala, I., Nnaji, C., Ogunseiju, O., Akanmu, A. (2022). Assessing the Role of Wearable Robotics in the Construction Industry: Potential Safety Benefits, Opportunities, and Implementation Barriers. In: Jebelli, H., Habibnezhad, M., Shayesteh, S., Asadi, S., Lee, S. (eds) Automation and Robotics in the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction Industry. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-77163-8_8
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