Committee begins hard work of building exoskeleton standards
Posted March 5, 2018
ASTM International reports its new committee on exoskeletons and exosuits met for the first time in February. The committee says there is a growing need for technical standards addressing safety, quality, performance, and ergonomics as more companies use exoskeletons in the workplace. The group plans to create standards that apply to systems and components throughout the lifecycle of exoskeletons and exosuits.
The committee’s first new standards will focus on terminology to define a common vocabulary and key terms and will support future technical standards. Subcommittees and task groups will turn their attention to:
- Design and manufacturing issues (e.g., energy storage systems, passive and active systems);
- Human factors and ergonomic issues (e.g., usability, safety, training);
- Task performance and environmental considerations (e.g., consumer, public safety, personnel, industrial, medical, and military);
- Maintenance and disposal issues (e.g., decontamination); and
- Information technology (e.g., data security).
The 
J. J. Keller® Supervisor Safety Alert newsletter addresses key safety-related issues affecting supervisors and their employees.
J. J. Keller's FREE Workplace SafetyClicks™ email newsletter brings quick-read workplace safety and compliance news right to your email box.