# Evaluating the Efficacy of a Passive Exoskeleton for Enhancing Ergonomics in Manufacturing
## 1 Introduction  
Manual material handling (MMH) is a critical component of manufacturing operations and includes the physical manipulation of objects through tasks such as lifting, carrying, and assembling [1]. These activities are prevalent across diverse manufacturing sectors, including logistics, warehouse management, and assembly lines. The importance of MMH in manufacturing ergonomics is profound, as it significantly influences worker health, safety, and productivity [2]. Occupational injuries and incidents impact employees' lives and create significant financial challenges for workers, businesses, insurance companies, and healthcare systems [3]. Inadequate material handling practices are a primary source of workplace injuries and musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs), particularly those affecting the lower back, whichare pervasive in manufacturing environments. An approximate 27.8% of injuries in the workplace within the industrial sector are attributed to MSDs [4]. MSDs, especially back-related issues caused by excessive bio-mechanical strain, have substantial economic and social ramifications, affecting personal health and placing a strain on healthcare systems [5]. In addition, completing MMH occupational tasks in confined environments, such as most settings involving MMH, affects workers' posture, time to finish tasks, and overall performance [6]. Assessment and management of occupational risks is important in lowering the incidence of workplace injuries [7]. Addressing the inherent risks and challenges in MMH tasks is essential for ensuring worker safety and sustaining productivity. Traditional methods, such as reviewing workers' compensation claims, have typically reflected a reactive stance to worker safety. However, a shift towards a proactive approach is utilizing predictive ergonomics to analyze worker-environment interactions. This could significantly mitigate the incidence of injuries. In this context, the adoption of assistive technologies like exoskeletons is pivotal. The advent of exoskeleton technology, particularly, devices offering lower-back support, has introduced an era of engineered assistance for workers engaged in physically intensive tasks. These devices are designed to reduce injury risk and physical strain, therefore improving workplace safety and efficiency [8; 9]. In the pursuit of competitive advantage, manufacturing industries are increasingly adopting advanced technologies to create a dynamic work environment with high productivity [10]. One of these emerging technologies is the use of wearable assistive devices to boost workers' productivity and health as a crucial factor in maintaining industrial competitiveness. By enhancing occupational ergonomics, these emerging technologies contribute to meeting modern market demands and the well-being and efficiency of the workforce. In the manufacturing sector, where MMH and other physically demanding tasks are commonplace, the incorporation of wearable assistive technologies such as occupational exoskeletons can significantly alleviate the burden on workers. By offering biomechanical support and reducing fatigue, exoskeletons play a crucial role in promoting occupational health and ergonomics, which makes them a valuable asset in industries where manual labor is prevalent. Exoskeleton technology is rapidly becoming more prevalent, holding great promise for elevating the quality of workers' lives [11]. Using exoskeletons for MMH tasks is particularly beneficial, as those tasks are usually associated with non-ergonomic postures that lead to physical discomfort and injuries in the long term [12]. An exoskeleton system represents a common form of interaction between humans and machines [13] and can be powered, passive, and hybrid. Powered exoskeletons are still mostly restricted to laboratory research due to their higher costs and greater complexity.