Work Item
ASTM WK90176
New Test Method for Assessing the Effect of Back Exoskeletons on Low Back Loading and Risk
1. Scope
The purpose of this test method is to assess the extent to which a back exoskeleton affects low back loading and low back disorder (LBD) risk.
Keywords
lifting; material handling; back-assist; back-support; lift-assist; ergonomic assessment; low back disorder; low back pain; overexertion injury; overuse injury; musculoskeletal disorders; risk assessment; fatigue failure; industrial; occupational; military
Rationale
Safety professionals use ergonomic assessment tools to identify and mitigate work-related musculoskeletal injury risks. Exoskeletons are wearable devices that complement traditional ergonomic controls by reducing musculoskeletal forces, a key risk factor for overexertion injuries in the workplace. There are currently no industry standards for assessing changes in ergonomic risk when a worker wears a back exoskeleton (also commonly referred to a back-assist exoskeleton, back-support-exoskeleton, or lift-assist exoskeleton). This test method specifies a test setup, analysis procedure, and recording to standardize the ergonomic assessment of workers wearing back exoskeletons to perform lifting, lowering, and bending tasks, for instance, tasks common in manual material handling work.
The title and scope are in draft form and are under development within this ASTM Committee.
Work Item Status
Date Initiated: 04-02-2024
Technical Contact: Karl Zelik