“The long-term health of our employees is a priority – and this is where the support of technical aids can make a big difference. That’s why we are constantly exploring new avenues”, said PORR CEO Karl-Heinz Strauss.
Musculoskeletal disorders are among the most common ailments of the locomotor and musculoskeletal system in Austria – and almost half of them can be attributed to the workplace. The musculoskeletal system is also subject to severe strain on construction sites, for example when lifting heavy loads. Exoskeletons seem a promising way of providing support. PORR is currently investigating how effective this really is on a pilot construction site, namely Hirm primary school in Burgenland.
PORR is building a new primary school on the Villapark site in Burgenland on behalf of the Oberwarter Siedlungsgenossenschaft OSG housing association, due for completion in September 2025. A modern two-storey building is being constructed here to the plans of architect Norbert Reithofer.
Severe strain on the back
In the course of bricklaying work, PORR is now testing three models from different exoskeleton suppliers. Bricklaying places particular strain on the back, shoulders and arms since bricks have to be lifted, carried and laid: Each brick weighs around 17 kilograms. The passive exoskeletons being tested consist of physically supportive technical assistance systems that are worn on the body, like harnesses. Their weight ranges from just under one kilogram to three kilograms. They use textile straps, cable systems and gas springs to store energy when bending and distribute the force. This supports the upper body during bending, for example.
The aim of the test is to find out which models are suitable for which task - and which are less suitable. The tests are carried out by the occupational safety team and, of course, the construction site crew themselves.
