ASTM F3579-24
(Practice)Standard Practice for Considering and Deploying Exoskeletons for Return to Work
Standard Practice for Considering and Deploying Exoskeletons for Return to Work
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 The current state of research provides limited evidence to directly support the use of exoskeletons by injured workers for Return to Work (RTW). However, there is research to support using certain exoskeletons to reduce strain and fatigue, as well as improve productivity and work quality. Reductions in strain and fatigue can reduce the risk for injury. To date, the best conclusion is that there is a potential opportunity for exoskeletons to help injured workers RTW, but precise outcomes may be unpredictable at this time. Professional management by a multidisciplinary team (see 5.8) of the following process is recommended. This practice is intended to serve as an example of a potential process that can be used when an exoskeleton is indicated for appropriate workers seeking to RTW. The first step is to consider the criteria in Section 5. If the criteria are met, use the procedure in Section 6 for managing the use of exoskeletons by injured workers for RTW.
SCOPE
1.1 The purpose of this practice is to discuss the potential benefits and risks of exoskeletons when used by workers during the Return to Work (RTW) process following an injury or illness, and to provide guidance to anyone considering their use during the modified/transitional duty period. The primary objectives of any exoskeleton used in a RTW capacity are to facilitate the natural healing process, prevent an exacerbation of an existing injury or illness, prevent further injuries or illnesses from developing, reduce the number of modified/transitional duty days, reduce the number of visits to healthcare providers for medical treatments, and assist the worker with return to full duty without restrictions. The exoskeleton must not aggravate the original injury or illness, nor cause a secondary injury or illness. Successful RTW constitutes an injured worker’s ability to tolerate all of the demands of his/her job without reinjury, perform essential job functions, or return to work as per the decisions and directions of the worker’s physician and employer. In some cases, workers may continue to use the exoskeletons after full duty RTW for risk reduction, injury prevention, or to continue to perform essential job functions. Exoskeleton usage that continues beyond full duty RTW for these purposes is beyond the scope of this particular standard practice.
1.2 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.3 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
General Information
Standards Content (Sample)
This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Designation: F3579 − 24
Standard Practice for
Considering and Deploying Exoskeletons for Return to
1
Work
This standard is issued under the fixed designation F3579; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope 2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
1.1 The purpose of this practice is to discuss the potential
F3323 Terminology for Exoskeletons and Exosuits
benefits and risks of exoskeletons when used by workers
F3392 Practice for Exoskeleton Wearing, Care, and Mainte-
during the Return to Work (RTW) process following an injury
nance Instructions
or illness, and to provide guidance to anyone considering their
F3444M Practice for Training Exoskeleton Users
use during the modified/transitional duty period. The primary
F3527 Guide for Assessing Risks Related to Implementation
objectives of any exoskeleton used in a RTW capacity are to
of Exoskeletons in Task-Specific Environments
facilitate the natural healing process, prevent an exacerbation
of an existing injury or illness, prevent further injuries or
3. Terminology
illnesses from developing, reduce the number of modified/
transitional duty days, reduce the number of visits to healthcare
3.1 Refer to Terminology F3323-20.
providers for medical treatments, and assist the worker with
return to full duty without restrictions. The exoskeleton must 4. Significance and Use
not aggravate the original injury or illness, nor cause a
4.1 The current state of research provides limited evidence
secondary injury or illness. Successful RTW constitutes an
to directly support the use of exoskeletons by injured workers
injured worker’s ability to tolerate all of the demands of his/her
for Return to Work (RTW). However, there is research to
job without reinjury, perform essential job functions, or return
support using certain exoskeletons to reduce strain and fatigue,
to work as per the decisions and directions of the worker’s
as well as improve productivity and work quality. Reductions
physician and employer. In some cases, workers may continue
in strain and fatigue can reduce the risk for injury. To date, the
to use the exoskeletons after full duty RTW for risk reduction,
best conclusion is that there is a potential opportunity for
injury prevention, or to continue to perform essential job
exoskeletons to help injured workers RTW, but precise out-
functions. Exoskeleton usage that continues beyond full duty
comes may be unpredictable at this time. Professional man-
RTW for these purposes is beyond the scope of this particular
agement by a multidisciplinary team (see 5.8) of the following
standard practice.
process is recommended. This practice is intended to serve as
an example of a potential process that can be used when an
1.2 This standard does not purport to address all of the
exoskeleton is indicated for appropriate workers seeking to
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
RTW. The first step is to consider the criteria in Section 5. If the
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
criteria are met, use the procedure in Section 6 for managing
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
the use of exoskeletons by injured workers for RTW.
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.3 This international standard was developed in accor-
5. Criteria to Consider Prior to Exoskeleton Deployment
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
for RTW
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom- 5.1 Review and consider all the available scientific evidence
on the use of exoskeletons to support rehabilitation and return
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee. to work. Since the research on exoskeletons is not easily
generalizable, consider the available evidence on the specific
1
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F48 on Exoskel-
2
etons and Exosuits and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee F48.02 on For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Human Factors and Ergonomics. contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
Current edition approved Feb. 15, 2024. Published March 2024. DOI: 10.1520/ Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
F3579-24. the ASTM website.
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