It’s no secret that roofing is hard work with the potential to cause long-term physical ailments due to roofers constantly stooping, lifting heavy items and navigating ladders. But a new study shows there may be ways to alleviate physical stress and even prolong a roofer’s career with exoskeletons.
A pilot study from charitable trust Construction Health and Safety New Zealand and the Roofing Association of New Zealand shows the potential benefits of roofing workers using exoskeletons on the job to improve their overall health. The small study followed three roofers in New Zealand for two weeks, monitoring their work and rest patterns. The subjects included an older roofer (age 65) looking to extend their career; a roofer managing a pre-existing back injury (age 38); and a younger roofer getting acclimated to roofing (age 30).