Perspectives of Mining Personnel on Adopting Occupational Exoskeletons: Comparisons Between a Developed and a Developing Country

Details

• Personal Author:
  Akinwande F ; Iridiastadi H ; Kim JH ; Kim S ; Muslim K ; Nasarwanji, Mahiyar F. ; Nussbaum MA ; Ojelade A
• Description:
  Occupational exoskeletons (EXOs) have received growing attention as a new ergonomic intervention to reduce physical demands in various industries (e.g., manufacturing, logistics, construction, and agriculture). However, their potential use in mining has not yet been reported. Survey data (n = 135) were obtained from mining workers in the United States (US) and Indonesia (ID). Qualitative and frequency analyses were used to summarize and compare respondents' perceived barriers, benefits, and promoters to EXO use and adoption. Beta regression analyses were also used to examine whether the perceived likelihood to use arm-support EXOs or back-support EXOs differed between the countries and was affected by demographic or job characteristics, or by perceptions regarding EXOs. Both US and ID respondents reported potential benefits of EXOs for physically demanding tasks such as lifting and overhead work, and they shared concerns about adaptation, uncertainty or lack of knowledge, confined spaces, device weight, potential failure or damage, and costs. However, some key differences also emerged: US respondents were more likely to consider using arm-support EXOs and back-support EXOs, despite expressing concerns about their use; ID respondents, although they reported more existing health and safety hazards, appeared more hesitant about adopting EXOs, possibly due to these additional hazards. These results demonstrate that miners appear to have an interest in EXOs but also emphasize the need to ensure task compatibility, comfort, and affordability to ensure the safe and effective adoption of EXO technology in mining in both developed and developing countries. [Description provided by NIOSH]
• Subjects:
  Ergonomics Mining Musculoskeletal Diseases Occupational Health Safety
• Keywords:
  Author Keywords: Work-related Musculoskeletal Disorders Exoskeleton Exoskeletons Intervention Mine Workers Mining Industry Musculoskeletal Disorders Task Performance Technology Adoption Wearable Technologies
• Series:
  Mining Publications
• ISSN:
  2524-3462
• Document Type:
  Text
• Funding:
  Contract
• Genre:
  Journal Article
• Place as Subject:
  Dallas Region [OSHA] ; New York ; New York City Region [OSHA] ; Pennsylvania ; Philadelphia Region [OSHA] ; Texas ; Virginia
• CIO:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• Division:
  PMRD - Pittsburgh Mining Research Division
• Topic:
  Workplace Safety & Health
• Location:
  North America
• Volume:
  42
• Issue:
  2
• NIOSHTIC Number:
  nn:20070656
• Citation:
  Min Metall Explor 2025 Apr; 42(2):523-536
• Contact Point Address:
  Maury A. Nussbaum, Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA
• Email:
  nussbaum@vt.edu
• Federal Fiscal Year:
  2025
• Peer Reviewed:
  True
• Source Full Name:
  Mining, Metallurgy & Exploration
• Collection(s):
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:f2bee59e3bd10450abd8c58211cda541a0c27b8068d7b8d6e3aa898f1cba8c67124a90e5a2f0ad94b315c4189b19840508398609ab829c3cf24b94939af68c78
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/215759/cdc_215759_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 1.18 MB ]