Two waste collection agents from the Nice Côte d’Azur Metropolis tested the use of exoskeletons on Friday, July 31, in the presence of Éric Ciotti. This demonstration is intended to assess the capacity of this device to improve working conditions for agents.
Two young agents from the bulky waste service, Nicolas and Axel, were equipped with the HAPO BACK device. Before their eyes, a pile of bulky waste of all kinds such as an old dresser or a damaged armchair simply laid on the ground.
The demonstration was coordinated by the human resources department, in consultation with preventive medicine, in order to evaluate the comfort of the device and its adaptation to the actual conditions of collection. Éric Ciotti, the mayor of Nice and the president of the Nice Côte d’Azur Metropolis came to attend the exoskeleton demonstration designed to improve the daily lives of agents. The mayor of the Azure city had the opportunity to try this device, which is both light and discreet. “I think the test is conclusive, it was for me but it will be especially for the collection agents of the metropolis,” declared Éric Ciotti.
“Over the past three years, 78 work accidents were largely related to handling,” lamented Jean-Louis Murati, head of administrative services for collection utilities. While various actions have already been initiated to improve staff working conditions, the HAPO BACK device appears to be a potential solution to agents’ problems.
Éric Ciotti: “avoid hardship at work as much as possible“
The exoskeleton is solid equipment that is simple for agents to put on. This device is passive because it has neither a load nor a battery. “With the help of springs, it will assist you when you carry a load,” explained Olga Bazerque Grigova, HAPO exoskeleton development manager.
Nicolas and Axel began the demonstration by each locking the cylinder of their device. Under the attentive gaze of visitors, they carried the loads to the van. “It’s simple to put on and unlock to get in the van, we can drive without any problem,” testified Axel.
The movements are assisted by springs, reducing the sensation of effort. This device also aims to prevent accidents and musculoskeletal risks. “We are testing it on the collection of bulky waste since naturally the agents who perform these repetitive tasks must lift heavy weights every day, every night,” assured Éric Ciotti.
For this year, the head of administrative services for collection utilities revealed the deployment of ten exoskeletons. According to the results of the experiments, “over the next three years, we will deploy to reach fifty exoskeletons, i.e. 100,000 euros, for 50% of the equipped bulky waste workforce,” he added.
A tribute to waste collection agents
This visit was an opportunity for the President of the Metropolis to express his recognition to the waste collection agents: “I wish to pay tribute to the metropolis staff who accomplish these thankless but essential missions. We could not live in society if there were no waste collection. These are major public service missions.”
Given the hardship of the tasks, the issue of illegal dumping was highlighted by the mayor of Nice. Of the 15,000 tons collected each year, barely 30% result from scheduled appointments, 70% constitute a form of illegal dumping on public roads. For the mayor, this visit is also a call for civic responsibility so that bulky waste is collected in a pre-established framework.
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