In today’s fast-changing work environment, ensuring the safety and well-being of employees is more important than ever. Standards organizations such as ASTM, AFNOR and research groups such as Conestoga College’s Canadian Institute for Safety, Wellness and Performance (CISWP) are dedicated to workplace safety and performance, and relentlessly seek to improve the health, safety and overall performance of workers in a variety of industries. Through rigorous research and innovative solutions, we are able to work with these organizations to create safer, more productive workplaces.
A multi-disciplinary approach is favored, combining knowledge of ergonomics, occupational health and safety science to address the complex challenges facing modern workplaces. Initiatives include comprehensive research projects, policy development and educational programs designed to promote best practice in workplace safety and well-being. Working with industry partners, government agencies, academic institutions and innovative companies like Mawashi, these organizations strive to create environments where workers can thrive physically and mentally.
The development of exoskeleton technology is one of the advancements that are helping to achieve these goals. Our UPLIFT exoskeleton offers promising solutions in this field. This innovative device is designed to support and assist workers, reducing the risk of injury and improving efficiency.
How does the UPLIFT exoskeleton fit into this vision of a safer, more productive workforce, and what are the implementation and development challenges?
In today’s fast-changing work environment, ensuring the safety and well-being of employees is more important than ever. Standards organizations such as ASTM, AFNOR and research groups such as Conestoga College’s Canadian Institute for Safety, Wellness and Performance (CISWP) are dedicated to workplace safety and performance, and relentlessly seek to improve the health, safety and overall performance of workers in a variety of industries. Through rigorous research and innovative solutions, we are able to work with these organizations to create safer, more productive workplaces.
A multi-disciplinary approach is favored, combining knowledge of ergonomics, occupational health and safety science to address the complex challenges facing modern workplaces. Initiatives include comprehensive research projects, policy development and educational programs designed to promote best practice in workplace safety and well-being. Working with industry partners, government agencies, academic institutions and innovative companies like Mawashi, these organizations strive to create environments where workers can thrive physically and mentally.
The development of exoskeleton technology is one of the advancements that are helping to achieve these goals. Our UPLIFT exoskeleton offers promising solutions in this field. This innovative device is designed to support and assist workers, reducing the risk of injury and improving efficiency.
How does the UPLIFT exoskeleton fit into this vision of a safer, more productive workforce, and what are the implementation and development challenges?
Credit: Atwill-Morin
- Standards and regulations: Adhere to existing standards and guides (ASTM, AFNOR) to ensure exoskeletons comply with safety and performance standards.
- Safety and Reliability: Carry out rigorous testing to ensure exoskeleton reliability and efficiency in a variety of work environments.
- Human-centered design: Developing exoskeletons adapted to different morphologies and specific tasks, taking into account user needs and organizational constraints.
- Technological Innovation: Integrate advanced technologies while ensuring ease of use and reliability. Use tools such as digital models to simulate user-exoskeleton interaction.
- Test Protocol: Implement rigorous test protocols to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of exoskeletons under real-life conditions.
- Evaluation Criteria: Use objective and subjective evaluation tools to measure parameters such as physical strain reduction, operational efficiency and health impact.
- Training and information: Train users to optimize their use of exoskeletons, and inform them of the benefits and risks. Ensure progressive and adapted training.
- Resistance Management: Overcome resistance to change by demonstrating practical benefits and involving stakeholders throughout the project.
- Health and Safety: Assess the impact of exoskeletons on workers’ physical and psychological health. Implement prevention strategies at the design stage.
- Group dynamics: Manage the impact on collaboration and group dynamics. Adjust organizations for smooth integration.
- Costs and ROI: Analyze exoskeleton acquisition, training and maintenance costs in relation to potential savings and productivity gains.
- Subsidies and Incentives: Explore possibilities for subsidies and financial support to facilitate implementation.
- Adaptability to the User: Adapt exoskeletons to the physical characteristics of users to avoid damage.
- Compatibility with Clothing and PPE: Ensure compatibility with personal protective equipment and work clothing.
- Interaction with Machinery: Prevent dangerous interactions with other machines or equipment through risk analysis.
- Environmental Adaptability: Adapt exoskeletons to specific environmental conditions to minimize risks.
- Material Handling Safety: Facilitate the safe handling of materials without introducing new risks.
- Impact on Social Interactions: Consider the impact of exoskeletons on social interactions and group dynamics.
- Response to Physical and Cognitive Demands: Assess the ability of exoskeletons to meet the physical and cognitive demands of tasks, including sensory and mental needs.
- Standards and regulations: Adhere to existing standards and guides (ASTM, AFNOR) to ensure exoskeletons comply with safety and performance standards.
- Safety and Reliability: Carry out rigorous testing to ensure exoskeleton reliability and efficiency in a variety of work environments.
- Human-centered design: Developing exoskeletons adapted to different morphologies and specific tasks, taking into account user needs and organizational constraints.
- Technological Innovation: Integrate advanced technologies while ensuring ease of use and reliability. Use tools such as digital models to simulate user-exoskeleton interaction.
- Test Protocol: Implement rigorous test protocols to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of exoskeletons under real-life conditions.
- Evaluation Criteria: Use objective and subjective evaluation tools to measure parameters such as physical strain reduction, operational efficiency and health impact.
- Training and information: Train users to optimize their use of exoskeletons, and inform them of the benefits and risks. Ensure progressive and adapted training.
- Resistance Management: Overcome resistance to change by demonstrating practical benefits and involving stakeholders throughout the project.
- Health and Safety: Assess the impact of exoskeletons on workers’ physical and psychological health. Implement prevention strategies at the design stage.
- Group dynamics: Manage the impact on collaboration and group dynamics. Adjust organizations for smooth integration.
- Costs and ROI: Analyze exoskeleton acquisition, training and maintenance costs in relation to potential savings and productivity gains.
- Subsidies and Incentives: Explore possibilities for subsidies and financial support to facilitate implementation.
- Adaptability to the User: Adapt exoskeletons to the physical characteristics of users to avoid damage.
- Compatibility with Clothing and PPE: Ensure compatibility with personal protective equipment and work clothing.
- Interaction with Machinery: Prevent dangerous interactions with other machines or equipment through risk analysis.
- Environmental Adaptability: Adapt exoskeletons to specific environmental conditions to minimize risks.
- Material Handling Safety: Facilitate the safe handling of materials without introducing new risks.
- Impact on Social Interactions: Consider the impact of exoskeletons on social interactions and group dynamics.
- Response to Physical and Cognitive Demands: Assess the ability of exoskeletons to meet the physical and cognitive demands of tasks, including sensory and mental needs.
Compliance and Performance
- Standards and regulations: Adhere to existing standards and guides (ASTM, AFNOR) to ensure exoskeletons comply with safety and performance standards.
- Safety and Reliability: Carry out rigorous testing to ensure exoskeleton reliability and efficiency in a variety of work environments.
Design and Adaptability
- Human-centered design: Developing exoskeletons adapted to different morphologies and specific tasks, taking into account user needs and organizational constraints.
- Technological Innovation: Integrate advanced technologies while ensuring ease of use and reliability. Use tools such as digital models to simulate user-exoskeleton interaction.
Evaluation and Validation
- Test Protocol: Implement rigorous test protocols to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of exoskeletons under real-life conditions.
- Evaluation Criteria: Use objective and subjective evaluation tools to measure parameters such as physical strain reduction, operational efficiency and health impact.
Adoption and Acceptability
- Training and information: Train users to optimize their use of exoskeletons, and inform them of the benefits and risks. Ensure progressive and adapted training.
- Resistance Management: Overcome resistance to change by demonstrating practical benefits and involving stakeholders throughout the project.
Organizational and Human Impact
- Health and Safety: Assess the impact of exoskeletons on workers’ physical and psychological health. Implement prevention strategies at the design stage.
- Group dynamics: Manage the impact on collaboration and group dynamics. Adjust organizations for smooth integration.
Economic and financial aspects
- Costs and ROI: Analyze exoskeleton acquisition, training and maintenance costs in relation to potential savings and productivity gains.
- Subsidies and Incentives: Explore possibilities for subsidies and financial support to facilitate implementation.
Interaction with Task Elements
- Adaptability to the User: Adapt exoskeletons to the physical characteristics of users to avoid damage.
- Compatibility with Clothing and PPE: Ensure compatibility with personal protective equipment and work clothing.
- Interaction with Machinery: Prevent dangerous interactions with other machines or equipment through risk analysis.
- Environmental Adaptability: Adapt exoskeletons to specific environmental conditions to minimize risks.
- Material Handling Safety: Facilitate the safe handling of materials without introducing new risks.
Social Interactions and Cognitive Demands
- Impact on Social Interactions: Consider the impact of exoskeletons on social interactions and group dynamics.
- Response to Physical and Cognitive Demands: Assess the ability of exoskeletons to meet the physical and cognitive demands of tasks, including sensory and mental needs.
Conclusion
Integrating exoskeletons into the workplace presents many challenges, but with a structured, human-centered approach, these challenges can be overcome. At Mawashi Science & Technology, we apply these principles in the design, evaluation, delivery and after-sales support of our physical assistance devices. Our mission is to transform workplaces by making them safer and more efficient, while upholding our values of innovation, quality and customer support. Thanks to our research and development capabilities, we are able to design innovative solutions that meet the specific needs of each customer, guaranteeing significant improvements in terms of well-being and productivity at work.
About our UPLIFT exoskeleton: https://uplift.mawashi.ca/
About the CISWP: Canadian Institute for Safety, Wellness & Performance – Conestoga Applied Research (conestogac.on.ca)
On ASTM Committee F48: https://www.astm.org/committee-f48
Useful tools from INRS (French only): https://www.inrs.fr/risques/exosquelettes/publications-liens-utiles.html
AFNOR X35-800 standard: https://www.boutique.afnor.org/fr-fr/norme/nf-x35800/ergonomie-methode-dintegration-des-dispositifs-et-robots-dassistance-physiq/fa192179/349196
Conclusion
Integrating exoskeletons into the workplace presents many challenges, but with a structured, human-centered approach, these challenges can be overcome. At Mawashi Science & Technology, we apply these principles in the design, evaluation, delivery and after-sales support of our physical assistance devices. Our mission is to transform workplaces by making them safer and more efficient, while upholding our values of innovation, quality and customer support. Thanks to our research and development capabilities, we are able to design innovative solutions that meet the specific needs of each customer, guaranteeing significant improvements in terms of well-being and productivity at work.
About our UPLIFT exoskeleton: https://uplift.mawashi.ca/
On ASTM Committee F48: https://www.astm.org/committee-f48
Useful tools from INRS (French only): https://www.inrs.fr/risques/exosquelettes/publications-liens-utiles.html
AFNOR X35-800 standard: https://www.boutique.afnor.org/fr-fr/norme/nf-x35800/ergonomie-methode-dintegration-des-dispositifs-et-robots-dassistance-physiq/fa192179/349196
