An Ergonomic Assessment Tool for Evaluating the Effect of Back Exoskeletons on Injury Risk

Details

• Personal Author:
  Gallagher S ; Marino MC ; Nurse CA ; Schall MC Jr. ; Sesek RF ; Zelik KE
• Description:
  Low back disorders (LBDs) are a leading injury in the workplace. Back exoskeletons (exos) are wearable assist devices that complement traditional ergonomic controls and reduce LBD risks by alleviating musculoskeletal overexertion. However, there are currently no ergonomic assessment tools to evaluate risk for workers wearing back exos. Exo-LiFFT, an extension of the Lifting Fatigue Failure Tool, is introduced as a means to unify the etiology of LBDs with the biomechanical function of exos. We present multiple examples demonstrating how Exo-LiFFT can assess or predict the effect of exos on LBD risk without costly, time-consuming electromyography studies. For instance, using simulated and real-world material handling data we show an exo providing a 30 Nm lumbar moment is projected to reduce cumulative back damage by approx. 70% and LBD risk by approx. 20%. Exo-LiFFT provides a practical, efficient ergonomic assessment tool to assist safety professionals exploring back exos as part of a comprehensive occupational health program. [Description provided by NIOSH]
• Subjects:
  Fires Hazardous Substances Mining Occupational Health Safety Styrene Temperature
• Keywords:
  Author Keywords: Low Back Disorders Biomechanics Ergonomic Assessment Ergonomics Exoskeleton Exoskeletons Exosuit Low Back Disorders MSD Musculoskeletal Disorders
• ISSN:
  0003-6870
• Document Type:
  Text
• Funding:
  Grant
• Genre:
  Journal Article
• Place as Subject:
  Alabama ; OSHA Region 4 ; Tennessee
• CIO:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• Topic:
  Workplace Safety & Health
• Location:
  North America
• Volume:
  99
• NIOSHTIC Number:
  nn:20066981
• Citation:
  Appl Ergon 2022 Feb; 99:103619
• Contact Point Address:
  Karl E. Zelik, Vanderbilt University Department of Mechanical Engineering, 101 Olin Hall 2400 Highland Avenue, Nashville, TN, 37212, USA
• Email:
  karl.zelik@vanderbilt.edu
• Federal Fiscal Year:
  2022
• Performing Organization:
  University of Alabama at Birmingham
• Peer Reviewed:
  True
• Start Date:
  20050701
• Source Full Name:
  Applied Ergonomics
• End Date:
  20270630
• Collection(s):
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:200ed47e2d3010a0d1e1b2f0b5763add7e489310e3642dc1472150d56ff766231c0e744eb50f2369e64e1a3c1183f565e7e76fdf75b139956f94033608f1edec
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/231234/cdc_231234_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 2.17 MB ]