Using a shoulder exoskeleton in slaughterhouse work: Expectations, experiences, and feasibility

Background

Work in the slaughterhouse industry increase the risk of shoulder disorders due to high occupational mechanical exposures. Assistive devices, such as exoskeletons, have been developed to reduce the mechanical exposures, but few studies have investigated exoskeleton's feasibility, when used in a workplace setting.

Objectives

The objective was to explore managers' and workers' expectations and experiences related to using a shoulder exoskeleton, and to evaluate its feasibility compared to an existing assistive device (a ‘lifting glove’) at a Danish slaughterhouse.

Participants

The participants included 26 production line workers and their managers at a packaging department at a large slaughterhouse facility.

Methods

In a 5-month field study, data on worker's expectations and experiences of using a shoulder exoskeleton, was compared to a lifting glove and to working without any assistive device. Data was collected using semi-structured interviews, questionnaires, and on-site observations.

Results

Expectations were that shoulder exoskeletons would reduce the mechanical exposure and strain in workers. Some managers also expected that workers could handle more weight/produce more and that the need for job rotation could be reduced. Workers reported the exoskeleton to ‘straighten the body’, and reduced strain, but e others experienced no perceived support or found donning and doffing too time consuming.

Conclusion

We found different expectations as to what the shoulder exoskeleton should achieve. This could influence the evaluation of the feasibility of using a shoulder exoskeleton in slaughterhouse work. To facilitate the feasibility of exoskeletons it is important to explicate different expectations and to allow for individual tailoring in its implementation.