Monday, August 23, 2021 Exoskeletons Are Here! Working in construction can be physically demanding, but a firm in Montreal has found a way to help ease the load by using exoskeletons. Newsletters Alberta Local 63 BC Local 68 Manitoba Local 152 Ontario Construction Saskatchewan Local 151 Sectors Construction Several workers with the Atwill-Morin Group have been using a mechanical exoskeleton that relieves up to 70 percent of the strain of lifting heavy loads. The exoskeleton is a metal skeleton made of titanium worn on the outside. The exo-arms reduce the weight of a tool to zero. They require no power source and work by redistributing weight over the worker’s body. This reduces the strain on muscles and joints. Using the device is straightforward and takes little time to learn. They were originally developed to help soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan who were being injured by carrying heavy loads. Atwill-Morin workers recently used them to do restoration work on the Parliament buildings in Ottawa. The company is also using them at other work sites in Montreal. Workers who have used them have taken quickly to the technology. With the pending shortage of skilled workers, and the hard, physical labour of construction work seen as a drawback for some, exoskeletons may help make a career in the trades more attractive to younger workers, who typically are keen adopters of new technology. Expect to see more applications of the mechanical exoskeleton in construction and other industries soon. It’s estimated the market will reach $1.8 billion by 2025. Source: canada.constructconnect.com You might be interested in Why We Work Safely 5 Jun 2026 Standing Your Ground, and Staying Steady on the Job 4 Jun 2026 CLAC Partners with Alberta Government to Advance Skilled Trades Training and Accelerate Certification 4 Jun 2026 Strathcona Mechanical Workers Ratify New Agreement Providing Wage, Scheduling Improvements 3 Jun 2026