Sustainable Workforce Health: Exoskeleton Effects on Posture and Performance in Repetitive Lifting for Labor-Intensive Industries and Construction

Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) are among the most frequently reported injuries among industrial workers, primarily due to prolonged exposure to awkward postures. While ergonomists emphasize process and equipment redesign, exoskeletons offer a promising supplementary solution for improving workplace ergonomics. However, the effectiveness of different exoskeleton designs remains understudied. This study employs an experimental approach to evaluate the impact of two passive exoskeletons—(A) HAPO SD and (B) BISKO—on posture and task performance during repetitive lifting activities. Postural assessment was conducted using an AI-driven software that analyzes posture based on the Rapid Upper Limb Assessment (RULA) method. The findings indicate that both exoskeletons influenced posture and performance, albeit with varying effectiveness. Exo A demonstrated more consistent benefits by shifting postures toward moderate-risk categories (RULA scores of 3 to 4) while enabling participants to complete more repetitions and sustain longer task durations compared to both the no-exoskeleton condition and the BISKO exoskeleton. However, statistical analyses did not confirm significant differences in posture improvements between exoskeleton and no-exoskeleton conditions, underscoring the importance of ergonomic training and safe lifting techniques as primary interventions. These findings contribute to the growing body of research on exoskeleton applications in workplace ergonomics, emphasizing the need for careful exoskeleton selection to optimize worker augmentation and mitigate fatigue.