목차
Introduction 1
1 Background 4
1.1 Work-related musculoskeletal injuries and ergonomics 4
1.2 Hierarchy of controls and wearables 4
1.3 Current federal agency roles for musculoskeletal injuries and wearables 6
2 Data Gaps and Efficacy Limitations Hinder Understanding of the Effects of Wearables on Worker Safety 7
2.1 Despite gaps in current deployment data, exoskeletons show some potential to reduce injuries 7
2.2 Ergonomic sensors can provide some information but have demonstrated limited efficacy and accuracy 10
3 Deployment of Wearables Raises Several Challenges 14
3.1 Challenges raised by workers 14
3.2 Challenges raised by deploying company representatives 14
3.3 Data challenges 16
3.4 Potential future challenges 16
4 While Stakeholders Resolve Deployment Challenges, Policy Changes May Not Be Useful 18
5 Agency and Stakeholder Comments 20
Appendix I: Objectives, Scope, and Methodology 21
Appendix II: GAO Contact and Staff Acknowledgments 24
