Perceived Benefits, Barriers, Perceptions, and Readiness to Use Exoskeletons in the Construction Industry: Differences by Demographic Characteristics

Details

• Personal Author:
  Akanmu A ; Barr A ; Gutierrez N ; Harris-Adamson C ; Kim S ; Nussbaum MA ; Ojelade A
• Description:
  Exoskeletons (EXOs) are a promising wearable intervention to reduce work-related musculoskeletal disorder risks among construction workers. However, the adoption of EXOs may differ with demographic characteristics. Survey data (n = 361) were collected from construction industry stakeholders and a summation score method was used to summarize respondent's benefits and barriers to EXO use, along with perceptions and readiness to use. Responses were stratified by race (White vs. non-White), sex (male vs. female), and age (<47 years vs. ≥47 years). Both a higher Benefits score and a higher Perceptions score were significantly and positively associated with a higher Readiness to Use score. There were also significant differences in perceived barriers to EXO use by race and sex. These results demonstrate substantial interest in EXO use but also emphasize the need to ensure proportionate access to the potential benefits of EXO technology. [Description provided by NIOSH]
• Subjects:
  Construction Industry Demography Ergonomics Musculoskeletal Diseases Occupational Health Safety
• Keywords:
  Author Keywords: EXO Construction Workers Demographic Characteristics Emerging Technology Exoskeletons MSD Musculoskeletal Disorders Technology Adoption Wearable Technologies Work-related Musculoskeletal Disorders
• ISSN:
  0003-6870
• Document Type:
  Text
• Funding:
  Grant ; Cooperative Agreement
• Genre:
  Journal Article
• Place as Subject:
  California ; Maryland ; OSHA Region 3 ; OSHA Region 9 ; Virginia
• CIO:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• Topic:
  Workplace Safety & Health
• Location:
  North America
• Volume:
  116
• NIOSHTIC Number:
  nn:20069272
• Citation:
  Appl Ergon 2024 Apr; 116:104199
• Contact Point Address:
  Carisa Harris-Adamson, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
• Email:
  carisa.harris-adamson@ucsf.edu
• Federal Fiscal Year:
  2024
• NORA Priority Area:
  Construction
• Performing Organization:
  University of California, Berkeley
• Peer Reviewed:
  True
• Start Date:
  20050701
• Source Full Name:
  Applied Ergonomics
• End Date:
  20250630
• Collection(s):
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:0ee40abd3977f6e97bbc0e20a413745d739325732ba1859a0064ac54c55a20e8aff60844bdf6afd25b1b0fd8fdbfe5ae2828e3cd00f599601150aa774269dcc6
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/207778/cdc_207778_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 898.99 KB ]